Key takeaways
- Search by your business name, trading name and ABN, not just your personal name.
- AFSA holds money from bankrupt estates and company wind-ups.
- ASIC holds unclaimed money from deregistered companies.
Where business money becomes unclaimed
- A customer paid a deposit but never completed the transaction.
- A refund could not be processed because the business lost your bank details.
- A supplier went into liquidation and money owed to you was recovered but not distributed.
- A company you once traded through was deregistered with funds still in its name.
- A trust account or retainer held by a solicitor or agent could not be returned.
Search by business name as well as your own name
Money owed to a business is usually recorded under the business name or ABN, not the owner's personal name. Search the ASIC MoneySmart register, AFSA, and every state revenue register by both your personal name and every business or trading name you have used.
| Situation | Where to search |
|---|---|
| Money from a customer or supplier that went bankrupt | AFSA unclaimed money register |
| Money from a deregistered company | ASIC MoneySmart and the state revenue register |
| Refunds or deposits from a business | State revenue register for that state |
| Unpaid invoices recovered by Fair Work | Fair Work Ombudsman |
What you need to prove a business claim
- 1Evidence that the business entity is connected to you: company extract, ABN registration, or trust deed.
- 2Authority to act for the entity: a directors' resolution, power of attorney, or trustee appointment.
- 3Evidence of the debt or entitlement: invoices, contracts, correspondence, or proof of debt from a liquidation.
- 4Bank details for the business account that will receive the money.
Ready to search?
Start with your state or territory - every register we link to is official and free to use.
Start your search