Lost Super — How to Reclaim What’s Rightfully Yours

Updated: 09/11/25 • Reviewed by: GoTax Registered Tax Agent

Straight to the Point

There’s a mountain of lost super floating around in Australia — over $18.9 billion across 7.3 million accounts. That’s not spare change. Most of it belongs to everyday Aussies who’ve changed jobs, moved house, or simply forgotten an old fund. If you’ve ever switched employers, you could be one of them.

The Gotax OnllineTake — How Do You Lose Something Worth Thousands?

Because life happens. You start a new job, the boss sets up another fund, you move, the fund loses contact… and poof, another “lost” account is born.

As of June 2025:

• $12.7 billion is sitting in “lost” super funds.

• $6.2 billion is held directly by the ATO.
  That’s a combined $18.9 billion waiting for rightful owners.

If that doesn’t make you want to check your myGov account right now, nothing will.

How Super Goes Missing

The ATO defines “lost super” as:

• Uncontactable: The fund can’t reach you, and there’s been no activity for 12 months.

• Inactive: No contributions or rollovers in five years.

Then there’s ATO-held super, which includes:

• Unclaimed money from people over 65

• Deceased members’ balances

• Accounts with less than $200

• Inactive, low-balance accounts

• Super for former temporary residents who’ve left Australia

In short, it’s not lost — just misplaced in bureaucracy.

Who’s Most at Risk of Lost Super?

Based on ATO data, the usual suspects are:

1. Job changers: each new job can mean a new fund.

2. Frequent movers: if your fund mail never catches up, your account can be tagged “uncontactable.”

3. Part-timers or seasonal workers: small balances get eaten by fees.

4. Younger workers: they often forget early jobs had super at all.

5. People with multiple funds: four million Aussies still hold two or more.

How to Check If You’ve Got Lost Super

Option 1 — Log in to myGov

• Link to the ATO.

• Click Super → Manage → View Details of All Accounts.
  You’ll see every super account — including any ATO-held balances.

Option 2 — Call Your Fund

If you’ve changed names, jobs, or addresses, contact past super funds directly and update your details.

Option 3 — Do a “Super Health Check”

The ATO’s Super Health Check guide (search code NAT 75486) walks you step-by-step through reconnecting and consolidating funds.

Why You Should Act Now

Lost super doesn’t just sit still. It can lose:

• Insurance coverage you didn’t know you had.

• Earnings potential (the longer it’s unclaimed, the less compound growth you enjoy).

• Future retirement value — fees nibble away while you forget it exists.

And once you turn 65, unclaimed balances can get transferred to the ATO automatically.

What the ATO Is Doing About It

Since 2019, the ATO has had authority to proactively reunite some unclaimed super with your active fund — but only if:

• You’ve made a recent contribution,

• The account accepts payments, and

• The balance will exceed $6,000 after transfer.

Last year alone, over 400,000 accounts were automatically consolidated, worth more than $720 million — but that still leaves billions untouched because the ATO can’t match people who’ve moved or changed names.

Gotax Tip – Act Like It’s Free Money (Because It Is)

If you find lost super:

1. Transfer it to your main fund through myGov — instant and free.

2. Review your insurance before merging.

3. Make sure all future contributions go to the same fund.

Then, make a habit of checking once a year — tax time is perfect.

FAQs – Lost Super (Quickfire)

Q: How much lost super is there right now?
A: $18.9 billion across 7.3 million accounts.

Q: How do I check if I have any?
A: Log in to myGov → ATO → Super.

Q: Can the ATO just give it to me?
A: Only if it’s under $200 or you’re 65 and over.

Q: Can I consolidate through GoTax?
A: You’ll find the instructions and reminders in your GoTax account — we make it easy to get your records sorted at tax time.

Related Reading

• Essential Records: https://www.gotax.com.au/blog/essential-tax-records-what-to-keep

• Self-Employed Super Tips: https://www.gotax.com.au/blog/self-employed-tax-survival-guide

• Home Office Deductions: https://www.gotax.com.au/blog/home-office-work-from-home-expenses-guide-2025

Explore the GoTax Online Library: https://www.gotax.com.au/blog