Billions of dollars in super sits lost or unclaimed with the ATO. Checking whether any of it is yours is free and takes minutes — here's exactly how, using myGov, the ATO app or a phone call.
Free to checkmyGov in minutesATO app or 13 28 65
Step by step
1. myGov → ATO online services → Super → Fund details
Log in to myGov and open (or link) ATO online services. Go to Super, then Fund details — this page lists every super account linked to your tax file number, marked as active, lost or ATO-held.
2. The ATO app
The ATO app shows the same lost, active and ATO-held super information as myGov, without needing a desktop browser — useful for a quick check on the go.
3. Call 13 28 65
The ATO runs an automated self-service phone line on 13 28 65 that can check for lost and ATO-held super without needing to log in online — a fallback if you don't have myGov access.
"Lost" super vs ATO-held (unclaimed) super
These two terms get used interchangeably, but they're slightly different. Lost super is still held by a super fund — the fund has simply lost contact with you (an old address, a changed name) or your account has gone inactive with no contributions for a period.
ATO-held super, also called unclaimed super money (USM), is a step further along: the fund has already transferred the balance to the ATO — this happens for certain inactive low-balance accounts, unclaimed super for members over eligible retirement age, and a few other legislated triggers. Either way, you find and claim it through the same Super → Fund details section in myGov.
Consolidating your super
Once you can see all your accounts, you can transfer (consolidate) them into one through the same myGov Super section, or directly with your chosen fund. Fewer accounts usually means fewer sets of fees eating into your balance — but consolidating isn't automatically the right move for everyone. Check these three things first:
→Insurance cover — Older accounts can carry life, total and permanent disability (TPD) or income protection insurance that lapses the moment the account closes — you may not be able to get equivalent cover back easily, especially with a changed health history
→Fees and performance — Compare the fees and long-term investment performance across your accounts before deciding which one to keep as your main account
→Exit considerations — Check whether the fund you're leaving has any exit conditions or processing steps that affect the transfer
Why super goes lost in the first place
Super most commonly becomes lost after a job change, when a new employer opens an account with a default fund you never actively chose. It can also happen after a name or address change that isn't updated with your fund, or when small, low-activity balances are automatically flagged as inactive. None of this is unusual — it's exactly why the free myGov check above is worth doing periodically, especially after changing jobs.
FAQ
Can I find super from old jobs I've forgotten about?
Yes. The Super section of ATO online services in myGov lists every super account linked to your tax file number, including accounts from old employers you may have forgotten about, accounts your current fund has lost contact with you over, and any ATO-held super transferred in from a previous fund.
Does finding or checking my lost super cost anything?
No. Checking your super through myGov, the ATO app or the ATO's phone line 13 28 65 is completely free. You never need to pay a third party to search for or locate your super — be cautious of paid "super finder" services offering to do this for a fee.
How long does consolidating super accounts take?
It varies by fund, but a consolidation (transfer) requested through myGov typically takes a few business days, and can take up to a few weeks if a fund needs extra time to process the transfer or verify your details.
What's the difference between lost super and ATO-held super?
"Lost" super is still held by a super fund, but the fund has lost contact with you or the account has become inactive. "ATO-held super" (also called unclaimed super money) is different — it's money that has already been transferred from a fund to the ATO, and you claim or consolidate it the same way, through the Super section in myGov.
What about super belonging to a family member who has died?
Superannuation death benefits are paid out by the deceased's super fund, not found or claimed through the same lost-super process on this page — contact the relevant fund directly to start a death benefit claim. See the Super Death Benefit Tax Calculator for how a death benefit is taxed depending on who receives it.
Should I always consolidate my super into one account?
Not automatically. Consolidating into a single account can cut duplicate fees, but check what you'd lose first — some old accounts carry life, total and permanent disability (TPD) or income protection insurance that lapses when the account closes. Compare fees and investment performance across your accounts before deciding, and confirm there's no exit consideration on the account you're closing.
Tax Accuracy & Sources
Reviewed: March 2026 · Tax year: 2026-27
A guide to locating lost and ATO-held super and general consolidation considerations — it does not calculate super balances, contributions or tax, and does not constitute financial advice. Confirm your own circumstances via myGov or with your fund before consolidating.