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Apply for your unclaimed money

Searching and applying for your unclaimed money is free. Once we receive your application, the process of reuniting you with your money usually takes about four weeks. 

When you find and 'claim' an entitlement matching your search, the unclaimed money application form will become available within the register.

  1. Search the register

    If you think you have unclaimed money, visit our Unclaimed Money Register, which steps you through how to search for it.

    Search the register

    If, after your search, you believe you are the legal owner of an amount listed, you will be prompted to complete an online application form, which requires:

    • your full name and address
    • contact details, including email address and phone, and
    • EFT details to receive payment.

    If you are claiming on behalf of a deceased estate, the application form must be completed by the executor/s named in probate or letters of administration and accompanied by the required documents.

    For Tattersalls and TAB winnings, and Intralot and Tabcorp prizes, you must have the original tickets and must apply using a different process.

    To search for and claim your lost superannuation, go to the Australian Taxation Office's searching for lost super page (phone 13 28 65).

  2. Complete your application

    The unclaimed money application form is available within the register when you find and 'claim' an entitlement matching your search. The application form must be completed, signed and returned to us with your supporting documents either by email or post. 

    If you are claiming multiple amounts, you only need to submit one application form with your supporting documents.

    Where money is held in joint names, all owners must sign the application form.

  3. Gather supporting documents

    For claims totalling less than $10,000, supporting documents can be copies, except for probate documents, letters of administration, powers of attorney, death certificates and wills, which must be certified copies.

    For claims exceeding $10,000, all supporting documents must be original or certified copies.

    A certified copy is a copy of an original document sighted by an authorised person (see s107A of the Evidence Act 1958), such as a Justice of the Peace, bank manager, police officer, pharmacist, medical practitioner, dentist, barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court, veterinary practitioner, school principal or accountant, immediately before they have noted on the copy that it is a true copy of the original document produced to them.

    Documents needed to support your application

    You (the claimant) or your legal representative must send the completed application form to us, together with:

    1. A current Australian proof-of-identity document for you, such as a passport, driver licence (front and back), birth certificate, citizenship certificate, Medicare card, or visa.

      AND
       
    2. One document linking you to the address recorded in our database, such as a rate notice, utility bill, bank statement, driver licence or insurance policy. If you do not have any of the documents listed, consider contacting your relevant roads authority (VicRoads or interstate equivalent), Medicare or your relevant electoral commission to obtain your address history. 

      OR

      Stale cheques, share certificates, debentures, receipts pertaining to the exact amount of unclaimed money held, along with your name clearly shown on the document.

      OR

      A letter from the lodging business or organisation authenticating you as the rightful owner/s, including the exact amount of unclaimed money our office is holding and any other relevant identifying information.

      AND
       
    3. Client authority (third parties only such as agents or legal representatives).

      AND
       
    4. Any documentation to support your claim, such as power of attorney, marriage certificate, or change of name certificates.

    If you do not have Australian proof of identification, we require a certified copy of your proof of identification.

    Deceased estate requirements

    A fully completed application form signed by the executor/s named in probate or letters of administration for the estate must be accompanied by:

    1. A certified copy of grant of probate or letters of administration (if these are not granted, then certified copies of the death certificate and will) in Australia.

      A verified copy of grant of probate or letters of administration made in another country filed with the Supreme Court of Victoria and containing the seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria in accordance with section 81 of the Administration and Probate Act 1958 (Vic). 

      AND
       
    2. A current Australian proof-of-identity document for the executor/s named in probate or letters of administration, such as a passport, driver licence, birth certificate, citizenship certificate, Medicare card, or visa.

      AND
       
    3. A document that links the deceased to the address recorded in our database, such as a rate notice, utility bill, bank statement, driver licence or insurance policy.

      OR

      Stale cheques, share certificates, debentures, receipts and such pertaining to the exact amount of unclaimed money held, along with the name of the deceased clearly shown on the document.

      OR

      A letter from the lodging business or organisation, which authenticates the deceased as the rightful owner, including the exact amount of unclaimed money our office is holding and any other relevant identifying information.

      AND
       
    4. Client authority (third parties only such as agents or legal representatives).

      AND
       
    5. Any documents supporting your claim, such as power of attorney, marriage certificate, or change of name certificates.

    If you do not have Australian proof of identification, we will require a certified copy of your proof of identification.

    Company requirements

    A fully completed application form from a current director or company secretary must include:

    1. A copy of the company’s certificate of registration or incorporation, or the company seal affixed to the claim application form, or a full Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) extract showing the extract obtained from their website using the corporate key (we do not require you to disclose your corporate key).

      AND
       
    2. A current Australian proof-of-identity document for the director or secretary such as passport, driver licence, birth certificate, citizenship certificate, Medicare card, or visa.

      AND
       
    3. A document that links the company to the address recorded in our database, such as a rate notice, utility bill, bank statement or insurance policy.

      OR

      Stale cheques, share certificates, debentures, receipts and such pertaining to the exact amount of unclaimed money held, along with the company's name clearly shown on the document.

      OR

      A letter from the lodging business or organisation, which authenticates the company as the rightful owner/s including the exact amount of unclaimed money our office is holding and any other relevant identifying information.

      AND
       
    4. Client authority (third parties only such as agent, legal representative/s).

      AND
       
    5. Any documents supporting your claim, such as power of attorney, marriage certificates, or change of name certificates.

    If you do not have Australian proof of identification, we require a certified copy of your proof of identification.

  4. Lodge your application

    Forward your completed application and all supporting documents by email to ucm@sro.vic.gov.au or alternatively:

    Unclaimed Money
    State Revenue Office
    GPO Box 1641
    Melbourne VIC 3001

Next Steps

While claims usually take up to four weeks to process, they can take longer if the application form is incomplete or we haven't received all the required supporting documents.

We will notify you when we have finalised your claim.

Last modified: 21 September 2023

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