The ATO holds billions in unclaimed super across millions of accounts. Finding yours takes under 5 minutes through myGov. This guide explains how to search, consolidate, and claim any lost super — including from deceased estate or overseas work.
Lost and unclaimed superannuation accumulates for several reasons:
The result: the ATO estimates over $17 billion in lost and unclaimed super across approximately 6 million accounts. Many Australians have multiple accounts with small balances being eroded by fees that exceed investment returns.
See how annual fees on multiple small accounts can erode your total super balance over time.
Open Superannuation Calculator →Once you've identified all your super accounts, consolidating them into your preferred fund:
Benefits of consolidating:
This is the most important warning about consolidation. Many super accounts — especially older accounts you have forgotten about — hold insurance cover including life insurance, total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance, and income protection. When you close an account by rolling it out, the insurance cover may be cancelled automatically.
When a super fund cannot locate a member for 5 years, it transfers the balance to the ATO. The ATO holds this as "ATO-held super" which accumulates at an earnings rate determined by legislation. To claim it:
How do I find my lost superannuation in Australia?
Log into myGov at my.gov.au and link your ATO account. Go to Super → Search for lost super. The ATO will search its database and display all super accounts held in your name, including any unclaimed super the ATO is holding directly. The search is immediate and free.
How much lost super does the ATO hold?
The ATO estimates it holds over $17 billion in lost and unclaimed superannuation across approximately 6 million accounts (as of 2024-25). Many Australians have multiple small accounts from different jobs that they lost track of when changing employers. The average unclaimed balance has been growing due to investment returns accumulating on forgotten accounts.
How do I consolidate multiple super accounts?
After finding all your accounts through myGov, you can consolidate them directly through ATO online services — no paperwork required. You select which fund to keep as your active fund and the ATO will transfer other balances electronically. Before consolidating, check whether any accounts hold insurance cover (life, TPD, income protection) that may be cancelled when the account closes.
Can I claim super from a deceased family member?
Super is distributed by the super fund according to the member's binding or non-binding death nomination. It is not automatically part of the deceased estate. If a family member had unclaimed super with the ATO, the legal personal representative of the estate can claim it. If no death nomination exists, the trustee decides distribution to eligible dependants or the estate.