Superannuation information for temporary residents departing Australia
Superannuation information for temporary residents departing Australia
If you work while visiting Australia on a temporary resident visa, your employer may be required to pay superannuation (super) on your behalf to a super fund. The following information is for temporary residents and explains what you can do with your super after you leave Australia.
If you are a temporary resident working in Australia, your employer has to make super guarantee contributions for you if you're eligible.
You can claim super benefits you accumulated while working in Australia if all of the following apply:
- you visited on a temporary visa (excluding visa subclasses 405 and 410)
- your visa has ceased to be in effect
- you have left Australia.
This is called a departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP).
Your super fund will be requested to transfer your super money to us if you haven't claimed it from the fund after a minimum period of six months since you left Australia and your visa ceased to be in effect. We will hold your unclaimed super for you until you claim it.
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If you claim your super money, you may still return to Australia on another visa.
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Who cannot claim a DASP?
- Australian citizens.
- New Zealand citizens.
- Permanent Australian residents.
- Retirement visa holders.
- Investor retirement visa holders.
If you are in one of the above categories, you have the right to retire in Australia, so you cannot claim a DASP.
You can claim your super money either:
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If you submit a paper claim, you must also apply to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for a Certification of Immigration Status (form 1194). If your withdrawal benefit is less than $5,000, you can provide a certified copy of your passport showing your departure stamp as alternative evidence of departure.
DIAC charges a fee for providing the Certification of Immigration Status (form 1194).
The Australian Customs Service no longer automatically issues passport stamps on departure from Australia. If you do not request a departure stamp when leaving Australia, you will have to apply and pay for a Certification of Immigration Status (form 1194) to lodge by paper. Alternatively, you can claim using DASP online, and we will verify your immigration status at no cost.
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Have you had more than one job? If so, you may have more than one super account - that's because each employer may have paid you super money to a different fund. You will need to complete a DASP application for each account.
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For help:
- phone the superannuation infoline on 13 10 20, Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm, or
- email DASPmail@ato.gov.au
Why use DASP online?
You can prepare your online application before you leave Australia
You can only submit your DASP application after leaving Australia and once your visa has ceased to be in effect - however, you can prepare your online application before you leave Australia.
Sections of the online application you can complete include:
- personal details - your name and date of birth
- email address
- passport country and number
- Australian tax file number (TFN). You are not required to provide your TFN - however, providing it will help us identify your super accounts.
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Your information is used to establish who is holding your super, confirm your immigration status and enable you to claim the payment electronically, so providing complete and accurate information will assist us in this process and avoid possible delays.
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We confirm your immigration status with the DIAC free of charge electronically
You can save time and money because we confirm your immigration status online with DIAC for no charge when you claim using DASP online. When claiming by paper, you may need to apply for a Certification of Immigration Status (form 1194) from DIAC - a fee is charged for providing this document.
We use information held on our records to locate all your super accounts
We will use information held on our records to locate all your super accounts. If you have accounts in multiple funds, DASP online will allow you to create claims for each of these. If we are holding any of your super as unclaimed super money, super guarantee or in the superannuation holding account (SHA), the DASP online system will also allow you to create a claim for these payments.
We deliver your DASP application to your superfund electronically so your claim can be processed in a timely manner
Where a super fund fails to download an online application within 21 days of it being submitted, we will make alternative arrangements to ensure the application is received by the super fund.
Important information when claiming on paper
Paper applications for withdrawal benefits of less than $5,000 must be accompanied by:
- a copy, or other evidence, of a visa showing you were a temporary resident and that your visa has ceased to be in effect, and either
- a copy of your passport containing a departure stamp confirming when you left Australia, or a Certification of Immigration Status (form 1194) obtained from DIAC.
You must also provide any other information that the fund requests.
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The Australian Customs Service no longer automatically issues passport stamps on departure from Australia. If you don't request a departure stamp when leaving Australia, you will have to apply and pay a fee to DIAC for a Certification of Immigration Status (form 1194) if you intend to claim directly from a fund.
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Paper applications for withdrawal benefits of $5,000 and above must be accompanied by the following:
- a Certification of Immigration Status (form 1194) issued by DIAC
- any other information the fund requests.
Sections within Claiming DASP
- Applying online
- Applying via paper
When is DASP paid?
Your DASP will generally be paid within 28 days of receipt of your application - however, it may take longer if you submit an incomplete application.
Once your application has been processed, you should receive payment for the withdrawal benefit of your account (less DASP withholding tax). Your fund is also required to issue you a payment summary within 14 days of making the payment.
If you are concerned about delays, contact your super fund directly and ask them if they require any additional information.
Search our DASP online application system to see if your super fund still holds your super money or if they have transferred it to us.
You can also contact your super fund to check if they still have your super money.
If you have had more than one job or changed your address, you may have lost track of your super accounts. If your super fund cannot contact you, they will register your details on our lost members register.
Find lost super by:
- using SuperSeeker
- phoning our self-help line on 13 28 65 Fast Key Code 1 2
- phoning us on 13 10 20 between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, to speak to a tax officer
- downloading Searching for lost super (NAT 2476).
If you have left Australia, phone +61 2 6216 1111 between 8.00am and 5.00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time, Monday to Friday, and ask to be put through to the Super area.
Why is this payment not available to Australian and New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Australia?
Australian and New Zealand citizens, permanent residents of Australia, or holders of a retirement visa are not able to claim DASP because they have an option of retiring in Australia and have access to the age pension.
However, Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent Australian residents may still be able to apply to access any unclaimed super that is held by us.
Which visas make you eligible to apply for the payment?
You must have held a temporary visa under the Migration Act 1958 (except visas under subclasses 405 and 410) to be eligible to apply for the DASP.
What if I am now retired or have reached preservation age?
Since 1 April 2009, retiring or reaching preservation age has ceased to be a condition of release of super benefits for temporary residents.
As a result, if you have held a temporary visa under the Migration Act 1958 (except visas under subclasses 405 and 410) you must first depart Australia before you can claim your super, even if you have retired from the workforce or have reached preservation age.
DASP withholding tax rates will apply to this payment - for more information, see Tax on your super payment.
Who is not eligible to receive super contributions?
When you work in Australia, your employer should generally pay super contributions for you into a complying super fund unless you are:
- paid less than $450 a month
- aged under 18 and working 30 hours or less per week
- covered by the super provisions of a bilateral social security agreement
- a non-resident paid for work done outside Australia
- a resident paid by a non-resident employer for work done outside Australia
- employed for domestic or private work for 30 hours a week or less.
Is this application free?
If you apply on paper
Fees may apply if you choose to claim DASP using a paper application form.
As part of your application, you must be able to confirm your immigration status. If your withdrawal benefit is more than $5,000, you must provide a Certification of immigration status (form 1194) issued by DIAC. A fee will be charged for this document.
If your withdrawal benefit is less than $5,000, you have the option of providing a certified copy of your passport with a departure stamp.
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The Australian Customs Service no longer automatically issues passport stamps on departure from Australia. If you don't request a departure stamp when leaving Australia, you will have to apply and pay for a Certification of Immigration Status (form 1194) if you intend to claim directly from a fund.
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If you apply online
Our online application service is free.
When you make a claim online, we verify your immigration status online with DIAC. This means you don't need to apply for a Certification of Immigration Status (form 1194).
Can I authorise someone else to claim DASP on my behalf?
Yes, you can authorise someone else to claim DASP on your behalf.
Anyone claiming DASP from a fund on your behalf will be asked to verify that they have authority to act on your behalf. You should contact your fund to find out what evidence they require.
If you have given your licensed financial adviser/planner or accountant, or registered tax agent, the authority to act on your behalf, and they have a current DASP agreement, they can use the DASP online application system to claim DASP on your behalf.
Before your financial planner/adviser or accountant can act on your behalf, you will need to nominate them as your representative.
The fastest way to nominate a representative to deal with us on your behalf is over the phone. You should either:
- phone 13 28 61 between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday
- phone +61 2 6216 1111 between 8.00am and 5.00pm and ask to be transferred to 'Personal tax enquiries' if you are calling from overseas.
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When you phone, you must establish your identity by providing details of three of the following items that are currently on our records:
- your date of birth
- your phone number, business, residential, postal or email address (maximum of one)
- your bank account number (BSB number not required)
- details from our notices (maximum of two different notices) - for example, the sequence number from any notice of assessment (NOA) issued to you.
To help with your enquiry, you may also provide your tax file number (TFN). Although it is not legally required, it will make it quicker and easier for us to help you.
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You can find your TFN on:
- your income tax notice of assessment (NOA)
- any correspondence we have sent you
- copies of your payment summaries from your employer.
If you have a registered tax agent, you can ask them for your TFN.
If you still can't find your TFN, phone us on +61 2 6216 1111. Before discussing your details, we need to know we are talking to the right person - we will ask you for details only you, or your authorised representative, would know.
Alternatively, you can complete the form Tax file number - application or enquiry for an individual living outside Australia and return it to us.
I can't find my super
If you don't know who your super fund is, contact your Australian employer to find out where your super has been paid.
You can also find your super using our online tool, SuperSeeker. It will search for your lost super and may provide you with possible matches.
I don't know how much money I have in my super fund
If you don't know how much money is in your super account, contact your super fund.
You can also use SuperSeeker:
- to search for lost super
- to view details of your super account balances as they were last reported by the funds to us
- to check if we are holding any of your super.
I don't know the address or Australian business number of my super fund
Contact your super fund, or search the Super Fund Lookup, for the postal address, Australian business number (ABN) or superannuation fund number (SFN).
How do I cancel my visa?
To cancel your visa, you will need to complete sections A, C and D of the Certification of Immigration Status (form 1194) and lodge this with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. A fee will not be charged for cancellation of your visa.
I've lost my passport
You need to know your passport number to use the DASP online system.
If you are not able to confirm your passport number, you will only be able to claim DASP on paper. You will need to provide a Certification of Immigration Status (form 1194) and lodge your paper claim directly with the fund holding your super. You will need to apply to DIAC for a Certification of Immigration Status (form 1194). A fee will be charged for supplying this information.
You can leave your super benefit in Australia - however, your super benefit will generally be transferred to us after you have departed and your visa has ceased to be in effect for more than six months. After your super benefit is transferred to us as unclaimed super, your money will not accrue any interest, nor will it provide any insurance benefits.
Do all super funds have to release my super?
Most funds do - however, certain super funds known as 'unfunded public sector superannuation schemes' do not have to pay out your super.
Can I access my super if it is in a superannuation holding accounts special account?
Yes - you can access super benefits we hold for you in the superannuation holding accounts (SHA) special account.
If you know you have benefits in the SHA special account, you can apply for them using DASP online or complete the Application for direct payment from the superannuation holding accounts special account (NAT 2373) and send it to us to receive your benefits.
Tax on your super payment
Withholding tax, generally at a rate of 35%, will be taken out of your super before it is paid to you.
How will my payment be taxed?
All super lump sum payments are made up of two components:
- a tax-free component
- a taxable component, which may include
- an element taxed in the fund
- an element untaxed in the fund.
The withholding tax rates that apply to departing Australia superannuation payments are:
- 0% for the tax-free component
- 35% for a taxed element of a taxable component
- 45% for an untaxed element of a taxable component.
Do I need to include this payment in my Australian tax return?
No - the payment will not form part of your assessable income for Australian tax purposes, and you will not need to include this payment in your tax return.
Sections within Frequently asked questions
- Eligibility
- The application process
- Tax on your super payment
Contact us
- If you have left Australia, phone +61 2 6216 1111 between 8.00am and 5.00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time, Monday to Friday and ask to be put through to the Super area.
- If you are still in Australia, phone us on 13 10 20 between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, to speak to a tax officer.
- Email us at DASPmail@ato.gov.au
- Write to us at:
If you do not speak English well and need help from the ATO, phone the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50.
If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, phone the ATO through the National Relay Service (NRS) on the numbers listed below:
- TTY users - phone 13 36 77 and ask for the ATO number you need
- Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users - phone 1300 555 727 and ask for the ATO number you need
- internet relay users - connect to the NRS on relayservice.com.au and ask for the ATO number you need.
Last Modified: Thursday, 23 May 2013
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