Key takeaways
- Revenue NSW holds money a business could not return after six years of trying.
- The register is free to search and free to claim from.
- NSW rental bonds are held separately by NSW Fair Trading.
What Revenue NSW actually holds
Under the Unclaimed Money Act, a NSW business or organisation that holds money it cannot return to the rightful owner must eventually pay it to Revenue NSW. The state then holds it indefinitely in that person's name.
- Refunds and overpayments a company could not return.
- Trust account balances from solicitors, agents and conveyancers.
- Deposits and security amounts left with businesses.
- Proceeds from deceased estates and dissolved companies.
- Salary, wages and commissions unpaid by a NSW employer.
How to search
- 1Open the Revenue NSW unclaimed money search.
- 2Search by surname alone first - adding a first name or suburb can hide a record entered differently.
- 3Repeat for every previous surname, including maiden names.
- 4Try common misspellings and any anglicised version of your name.
- 5Search the names of deceased relatives if you may be entitled to their estate.
What a claim requires
Revenue NSW must be satisfied you are the person named. Expect to provide identity documents and, where your name has changed or the amount is large, evidence linking you to the original transaction.
| Circumstance | Typical evidence |
|---|---|
| Claiming in your own current name | Photo identification and proof of the address at the time |
| Name has changed | Marriage certificate, divorce order or change of name certificate |
| Claiming for a deceased person | Death certificate plus probate or letters of administration |
| Claiming for a company | Proof of authority to act for the entity |
Other registers NSW residents should check
- ASIC MoneySmart for bank accounts, shares and life insurance.
- The ATO through myGov for lost and held superannuation.
- NSW Fair Trading for rental bonds, which are not on the Revenue NSW register.
- Fair Work Ombudsman for unpaid wages the employer could not deliver.
- The unclaimed money register of every other state you have lived in.
Ready to search?
Start with your state or territory - every register we link to is official and free to use.
Start your search