State guideAugust 2026 6 min read

Unclaimed money in Queensland: how the Public Trustee and Treasury registers work

Queensland's unclaimed money is split across two main registers: Queensland Treasury for money held by businesses and government entities, and the Public Trustee for unclaimed money from deceased estates and trusts. Both are free to search and free to claim from.

Key takeaways

  • Queensland Treasury holds unclaimed money from businesses and government bodies.
  • The Public Trustee holds unclaimed money relating to deceased estates and trusts.
  • Queensland rental bonds are held by the Residential Tenancies Authority.

Two registers, two purposes

Queensland Treasury's unclaimed money register covers amounts that businesses and government entities could not return to owners. The Public Trustee of Queensland holds unclaimed money where the owner is unknown or a person has died without a known next of kin.

RegisterWhat it holds
Queensland TreasuryRefunds, overpayments, deposits, uncashed cheques and business proceeds
Public TrusteeDeceased estates, trust money and unclaimed proceeds with no known owner
Residential Tenancies AuthorityRental bonds and refunds

How to search both registers

  1. 1Start with the Queensland Treasury unclaimed money search.
  2. 2Then search the Public Trustee of Queensland unclaimed money register.
  3. 3Use surname-only searches first, then add first names and suburbs.
  4. 4Repeat for every previous name and every address you have lived at in Queensland.
  5. 5Check the Residential Tenancies Authority if you have ever rented in Queensland.

What a claim requires

Queensland Treasury and the Public Trustee each have their own claim forms. In both cases you need identity documents and evidence linking you to the listed amount. Estate claims need a death certificate and proof of entitlement to act for the estate.

  • Photo identification such as a driver licence or passport.
  • Proof of the address shown on the record, or an explanation of the link.
  • Marriage or change of name certificate if your name has changed.
  • For estates, a death certificate and grant of probate or letters of administration.

Ready to search?

Start with your state or territory - every register we link to is official and free to use.

Start your search

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