Frequent questions
- How do I find out if OSR is holding any money in my name?
You can search online for your name and lodge a claim for your money, just by following the instructions. All money on our website is available for claim.
- Are you holding my lost superannuation?
Only unclaimed superannuation benefits lodged before 1 July 2007 are held by OSR.
From 1 July 2007, OSR only receives unclaimed superannuation benefits from NSW Public Sector Superannuation Funds. All other superannuation benefits are lodged with the Australian Taxation Office.
- How do I apply?
If you have found money belonging to you, you can lodge a claim online or you can download a claim form to fill in and then post it to us. Alternatively we can send you a claim form.
- I have received a letter from a money finding agency, do I have to apply through them to claim my unclaimed money?
The choice is yours. You may proceed with the agency or alternatively if you have not signed an agreement with the agency you may like to lodge your own claim with OSR. Please note that OSR charges no fees to process your claim.
- How long do I have to claim my unclaimed money?
You have six years from the time this office receives the unclaimed money to lodge a claim. Please note there is no time limit for unclaimed superannuation benefits.
If the money is listed on our website it is available for claim.
- If I lodge a claim, what type of supporting evidence is required?
You will be required to lodge documents to establish your identity, your connection to the money and the enterprise that forwarded the money to OSR. The application form explains in detail what evidence is required.
- What does certified copy mean?
A true copy of an original document that has been sighted by an acceptable person and noted as follows: ' I certify that I have sighted the original document and this is a true copy of it.' This certification must have the certifier's name, title, registration number (where applicable) and must be signed and dated.
An acceptable person is: a legal practitioner, Justice of the Peace (JP), an officer of OSR, magistrate, police officer, dentist, pharmacist, certified practising accountant, Commissioner for Declarations, Member of Parliament or medical practitioner.
- When do I have to send unclaimed money to OSR and what should I do?
Enterprises carrying on a business in NSW that have held money in an inactive account for a period of at least six years, and have been unable to make payment to the owner, are required to lodge a return and pay the money to OSR.
Unclaimed money held as at 30 June is to be lodged with OSR on or before 31 October of that year.
Benefits held by a NSW Public Sector Superannuation Provider in respect of a person who is over 65 years of age or is deceased, are to be lodged with OSR.
Unclaimed superannuation benefits held by a NSW Public Sector Superannuation Provider as at 31 December and 30 June are to be lodged with OSR on or before the first day of May and November respectively.
Returns must be lodged on a CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable) in accordance with the return specifications. Returns must be validated and lodged together with the payment for the total value of the return by the due date.
- If an enterprise operates in several states, where do they lodge the unclaimed money?
Enterprises carrying on a business in NSW who keep the record of the account for that money in NSW are required to lodge the unclaimed money to OSR.
