Before you start, have these ready
- A screenshot or note of the result, including the reference number if shown
- Photo ID
- Something linking you to the address on the record, if it is not your current address
- Bank account details for payment, entered only on the official claim form
Is it really you?
Common names produce many matches. The address or suburb against a record is usually the best clue. If you never lived or dealt with anyone there, it is probably someone else.
Claiming money that is not yours is not only futile, it can be an offence. If unsure, contact the authority and ask.
Watch for scams
Official registers do not charge to search or claim. Be wary of anyone who contacts you out of the blue saying you have unclaimed money and asks for a fee or your banking passwords.
Step by step
- 1
Record the details shown: name, address or suburb, amount range, reference and the organisation that reported it.
- 2
Check the address and organisation match somewhere you lived or dealt with.
- 3
Read who currently holds the money. Some listings are paid by the government authority, others tell you to contact the original organisation.
- 4
Open the official claim page from the register itself and read the required documents.
- 5
Lodge the claim and keep a copy of everything you send.
Common mistakes
- Claiming without checking the address matches.
- Clicking links in unexpected emails or texts instead of going to the official site yourself.
- Sending uncertified copies when certified copies are required.
I found a possible match, what now?
A listing is a record the authority holds, not proof the money is yours. Note the reference shown against it, check the details you recognise, then open the claim page on the official site and read what evidence it asks for before you start. You lodge the claim directly with that authority, never through this site.
What documents you may needI found nothing, what now?
A nil result usually means you searched the wrong register, the wrong spelling of a name, or too few variations of it. Try surname only, earlier surnames and each state you have lived in, then work through the troubleshooting steps before you give up.
Searched and found nothingTip: If you find one record, search again under other names and in other states. People with one lost amount often have more.
Common questions
Official sources checked
- Researched and reviewed by
- Find Lost Money Australia
- Information last verified
- 1 August 2026
Find Lost Money Australia is an independent information service, not a government agency. Our review checks the responsible agency's current page, search location and claim instructions. Agencies can change their rules, so confirm details on the official site before you act.
Keep looking
Continue your lost-money search
Money goes missing in more than one place. These are the next things worth checking.
- Every official registerEvery official register we have verified, filterable by state and type of money.
- Bank accounts, shares and dividendsASIC holds bank money inactive for seven years, plus unclaimed dividends and share proceeds.
- Lost superSuper from old jobs, plus balances the ATO is holding in your name.
- Your state or territory registerEach state holds unclaimed refunds, deposits and trust money from businesses in that state.
Searching is free. Every register we link to lets you search at no cost, and you can lodge a claim yourself. Be cautious of any business that asks for an upfront fee simply to search a public register on your behalf. Find Lost Money Australia is an independent information service. We are not a government agency and we do not hold or search unclaimed money databases.