How to Claim Your Superannuation Back When Leaving Australia

Worked a part-time job while studying in Australia? Then you've almost certainly had money put into a superannuation account — and here's the exciting part: you can get it back when you leave.

A lot of international students don't realise this. They finish their degree, pack their bags, and fly home without ever claiming thousands of dollars that legally belong to them. Don't let that be you.

This guide walks you through exactly how to claim your superannuation back in 2026 — step by step.

What Is Superannuation? (Quick Explanation)

Superannuation — or "super" as Australians call it — is Australia's retirement savings system. Every employer in Australia is legally required to pay a percentage of your wages into a special superannuation fund on your behalf.

In 2026, the Superannuation Guarantee rate is 12%. (⚠️ Verify the current rate with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) at ato.gov.au, as this may be updated.)

That means if you earn $10,000 in a year, your employer puts $1,200 into your super fund — on top of your regular pay. The money sits in a fund (like AustralianSuper, Hostplus, or REST) and is usually invested so it can grow over time.

For Australian citizens and permanent residents, the idea is that they access this money when they retire. But for international students on a temporary visa, you have a different option: you can claim the whole amount back as a lump sum once you leave Australia permanently.

This is called a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment, or DASP for short.

Who Can Claim the DASP?

You are eligible to claim your Departing Australia Superannuation Payment if you meet all of these conditions:

• You held a temporary visa (such as a student visa, subclass 500) — not an Australian or New Zealand passport
• Your visa has expired or been cancelled
• You have permanently departed Australia (or are about to)
• You are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident

Important: New Zealand citizens are not eligible for the DASP. (⚠️ Confirm NZ citizen eligibility with the ATO as policy may have been updated.)

If you tick all those boxes, you're good to go. And it doesn't matter how much or how little super you have — even small amounts are worth claiming.

How Much Tax Will Be Taken Out?

This is something many students are surprised by. When you claim your DASP, the government takes a tax withholding amount before you receive the money. The rate depends on the type of contributions in your fund:

• Taxed super fund contributions (most common): 35% tax withheld
• Untaxed super fund contributions: 45% tax withheld
• Working Holiday Maker visa holders (subclass 417 or 462): 65% tax withheld

Yes, these rates can feel steep — but remember, this is still your money. Even after tax, you're receiving a lump sum you would otherwise leave behind entirely.

Step-by-Step: How to Claim Your Super Back

Here's the full process broken down into simple steps.

Step 1: Find All Your Super Accounts

Before you can claim, you need to know where your money is. It's surprisingly common for people to have more than one super fund — especially if you worked for different employers.

Here's how to find all your accounts:

• Log in to myGov and link your account to the ATO. You can see all super funds registered under your Tax File Number (TFN)
• If you don't have a myGov account, you can call the ATO on 13 28 61
• Check old payslips — your employer is required to list which super fund they contributed to

Make a list of every fund you have. You'll need to submit a DASP claim for each one separately.

Step 2: Check Your Fund's Balance

Once you know your funds, log in to each one directly (or call them) to find out your current balance. Many funds have an app or online portal.

Don't assume the balance is tiny — super can accumulate faster than you think, especially if you worked part-time consistently for two or three years of study.

Step 3: Make Sure Your Visa Has Expired or Been Cancelled

You cannot claim DASP while your visa is still active and you are in Australia.

You generally need to wait until:

• You have already left Australia and your visa has expired, OR
• You can apply up to 28 days before your planned departure date if your visa has already been cancelled

In most cases, the simplest approach is to apply after you've left Australia and your student visa has naturally expired.

Step 4: Submit Your DASP Application Online

The Australian government has a dedicated online portal for DASP claims:

🌐 Visit here: DASP Portal

Here's what you'll need to submit your application:

• Your Tax File Number (TFN) — issued to you by the ATO when you started working
• Your passport number (must match your visa records)
• Your visa grant number and visa subclass
• Your super fund details — including the fund's ABN (Australian Business Number) and your member number
• Your bank account details — for international bank transfer (the payment will be sent in Australian dollars to your overseas account, or in some cases, you can provide an Australian bank account if it's still open)
• Your contact email address

The online application is straightforward. You'll complete a form for each super fund account separately, and the ATO will notify each fund of your claim.

Step 5: Wait for Your Payment

Once your application is submitted and verified, your super fund has 28 days to pay you after receiving your DASP application from the ATO.

Payments are usually transferred directly to your nominated bank account. Processing times can vary slightly depending on your fund and whether all your identity documents match up correctly.

If there are any issues, the ATO or your fund will contact you by email — so make sure you use an email address you'll still have access to from your home country.

Step 6: Check for Lost or Unclaimed Super

If you worked in Australia a few years ago and never set up a myGov account, there's a chance your super ended up as lost or unclaimed super, held by the ATO directly.

You can search for this through:

• The ATO's online super search tool in your myGov account
• Calling the ATO at 13 28 61

Even unclaimed super can be paid out as a DASP, so always check before assuming you have nothing to claim.

What Happens If You Don't Claim It?

If you leave Australia and never claim your super, the money doesn't disappear — but it does become harder to access over time.

• After a period of inactivity, funds are transferred to your super to the ATO as unclaimed super money
• You can still apply for it later, but the process takes longer
• Any investment growth stops once it's transferred to the ATO

The message here is simple: claim your super as soon as you're eligible. There's no good reason to delay.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most frequent errors international students make when claiming super:

• ❌ Applying too early — while still in Australia on an active visa
• ❌ Forgetting multiple funds — always check via myGov for all accounts
• ❌ Wrong bank details — double-check your overseas bank account number and SWIFT/BIC code
• ❌ Not having a TFN — if you worked without one, contact the ATO to sort this out first
• ❌ Using the wrong form — always use the official ATO DASP online system, not third-party services that charge unnecessary fees

Do You Need to Lodge a Tax Return First?

This is a common question. The short answer is: yes, you should lodge any outstanding Australian tax returns before or at the same time as your DASP claim.

If you earned income in Australia, you likely need to lodge a tax return for each financial year you worked. The Australian financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June. You may even be entitled to a tax refund on top of your super claim.

The ATO recommends completing your tax return obligations before leaving to make the process smoother.

Quick Summary: How to Claim Your Super Back

Here's the process at a glance:

1. ✅ Find all super funds via myGov
2. ✅ Check your balance in each fund
3. ✅ Wait until your visa has expired or been cancelled
4. ✅ Apply via the ATO DASP online portal
5. ✅ Submit separate applications for each fund
6. ✅ Provide valid bank account details for international transfer
7. ✅ Wait up to 28 days for payment
8. ✅ Check for any lost or unclaimed super held by the ATO

🎯 Your Next Step

Before you book your flight home, log in to myGov and check exactly how many super accounts you have — it takes less than 10 minutes and could put hundreds or even thousands of dollars back in your pocket.

Head to my.gov.au, link your ATO account, and search for all super funds registered to your Tax File Number. Once you know what you have, you'll be ready to submit your DASP claim as soon as your visa expires.

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