Accessing Superannuation Benefits

Claiming your superannuation money

If you have worked in Australia as a temporary resident you may be eligible to claim your superannuation money. You can do this if:

• you visited on an eligible temporary visa*
• your visa has ceased to be in effect (that is, has expired or been cancelled)
• you have departed Australia**

*A list of eligible temporary resident visas is available from the Australian Taxation Office.
See: www.ato.gov.au/super

**You may still be able to return to Australia on another visa even if you claim and receive your superannuation money.

This payment is called the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP).

This payment is not available for Australian permanent residents and citizens or New Zealand citizens (unless you previously visited Australia on an eligible temporary visa – in which case, some of your superannuation may still be payable as a DASP).

Eligibility and procedures for lodging a claim for superannuation benefits are available from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website.
For further information, visit ATO’s website and search for 'unclaimed super changes for temporary residents'.
See: http://www.ato.gov.au

What happens to my superannuation money if I do not claim it?

From 18 December 2008, you will have at least six months after you ceased to hold the visa and left Australia to claim your DASP from your superannuation provider.

If you have not claimed your DASP within six months since your visa ceased to be in effect and you have left Australia, your superannuation provider may be required to transfer your money to the ATO as unclaimed superannuation.  In that case, you will have to claim your DASP from the ATO.

Eligibility and procedures for lodging a claim for superannuation benefits as an unclaimed superannuation payment are available from the ATO website.

If you are claiming your unclaimed superannuation from the ATO, a ‘Certification of immigration status’ is not required.

Certification of immigration status

Where your superannuation provider still holds your money, depending on the balance of your superannuation account, your superannuation provider may request you to obtain a 'Certification of immigration status' to confirm that you are eligible for the DASP.

Certification of immigration status may be obtained from the department using the appropriate application form.
See: Form 1194 Certification of immigration status (170KB PDF file)

A fee will be charged for this service.
See: Fees & Charges – Certificates of Status

Requesting cancellation of an eligible temporary visa

If you worked in Australia on an eligible temporary visa, you must wait until that visa ceases to be in effect (that is, is cancelled or expires) before lodging a claim for superannuation benefits.

If you are outside Australia, you can request the department to cancel your visa in order to access your superannuation.

Your request for cancellation must include the following information:

• a clear statement that you wish to have your visa cancelled
• full name and date of birth
• passport number when you visited Australia
• subclass of the visa you wish to have cancelled
• current residential address
• the date that you departed Australia.

You must also provide details of all people who hold a visa because they are a member of your family unit, or hold a visa only because you hold your visa. (This includes, but is not limited to, people who were included in your visa application).

Any visa(s) held by members of your family unit, that are held only because you hold your visa, will also be cancelled whether the people concerned are in or outside Australia.

Any visa(s) held by people, other than members of your family unit, that are held only because you hold your visa, may also be cancelled whether the people concerned are in or outside Australia.

Requests for cancellation should be sent in writing via email or via post:
Email: Super.hobart@immi.gov.au

Postal address:
Certification of Immigration Status
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
GPO Box 1496
Hobart TAS 7001

Important information

• A request for visa cancellation will only be considered in respect of eligible temporary visas.
• Visa cancellation will only be considered where the visa holder is outside Australia.
• There is no fee for visa cancellation.

Visa cancellation consequences

If you are outside Australia when your visa is cancelled:

• no further travel to Australia will be permitted until such time as a further visa has been granted
• any future visa application you make will be considered on its merits at the time of application
• you will not be prevented from lodging any future visa applications while you are outside Australia.

If you are inside Australia when your visa is cancelled:

• there will be restrictions on the visas you can apply for while you remain in Australia
• you may become an 'unlawful non citizen'.
  See: Expired Visas

More information

If you have read all of the available information about accessing your superannuation and you still require help, you can contact the department.
See: Contact Us – Hobart Superannuation Processing Centre