State guideAugust 2026 6 min read

Unclaimed money in Victoria: how the State Revenue Office register works

Victoria's unclaimed money register is maintained by the State Revenue Office. It holds money that Victorian businesses, trustees and organisations could not return to owners after making reasonable efforts. The register is free to search, and claims can be made at any time.

Key takeaways

  • The State Revenue Office holds money from businesses, solicitors, agents, and dissolved companies.
  • Search by surname first, then try maiden names and every suburb you have lived in.
  • Victorian rental bonds are held separately by the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority.

What the State Revenue Office holds

Under the Unclaimed Money Act 2008, Victorian businesses must transfer money they cannot return after a set period. The State Revenue Office then publishes the amounts and holds them indefinitely until claimed.

  • Overpayments, refunds and uncashed cheques from Victorian businesses.
  • Trust account balances from solicitors, conveyancers and real estate agents.
  • Deposits and bonds left with Victorian companies.
  • Proceeds from dissolved companies and deceased estates.
  • Unpaid wages and commissions where the employer could not locate the worker.

How to search the Victorian register

  1. 1Open the State Revenue Office unclaimed money search.
  2. 2Search by surname alone to catch records entered under a different first name.
  3. 3Repeat for every previous name, including maiden and married names.
  4. 4Try common misspellings and any name variation an employer might have used.
  5. 5Search the names of deceased relatives if you may be entitled to their estate.

What a claim requires

The State Revenue Office must be satisfied that you are the rightful owner. You will generally need photo identification, proof of your current address, and evidence linking you to the listed amount.

CircumstanceTypical evidence
Claiming in your current nameDriver licence or passport and proof of address at the time
Name has changedMarriage certificate, divorce order or change of name certificate
Claiming for a deceased personDeath certificate and probate or letters of administration
Claiming for a companyCompany extract or authority to act for the entity

Other registers Victorians should check

  • ASIC MoneySmart for bank accounts, shares and life insurance.
  • The ATO through myGov for lost and held superannuation.
  • The Residential Tenancies Bond Authority for rental bonds.
  • Fair Work Ombudsman for unpaid wages held in trust.
  • 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

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