Learn about unclaimed money and how to claim or lodge it.
On this page
- Key information
- Claiming unclaimed money
- Lodging unclaimed money
- Money held by other agencies or states
- History of the register
Key information
When a business can’t return money to its rightful owners, they must lodge those funds with the Victorian Unclaimed Money Register.
Individuals can then search the register for money that might belong to them.
This can include:
- share dividends
- salaries and wages
- rent and bonds
- debentures and interest
- proceeds from a sale
- gaming winnings or prizes.
The register does not hold all types of lost money. Superannuation and bank account funds are held by other agencies.
Claiming unclaimed money
If your name appears in the Victorian Unclaimed Money Register, you can apply to claim that money.
You must provide documents that show your identity and your connection to the money.
Once you apply, we review your claim and contact you if we need more information. Most claims are processed within 4 weeks.
To apply for unclaimed gaming winnings or prizes, you must hold the original ticket. The ticket must:
- have been purchased in Victoria
- be more than 12 months old
- not be on a registered Tattersalls and Intralot card.
Apply for your unclaimed winnings or prizes
Lodging unclaimed money
Businesses, gaming venues and betting agencies must lodge unclaimed money that has been unpaid for 12 months or more as at 1 March of the current year.
You must lodge:
- gross amounts of $20 or more for general entitlements such as dividends, wages, rent and bonds
- all gaming-related winnings and prizes, regardless of amount.
Lodgement timelines:
- By 31 March – prepare a register of unclaimed money held as at 1 March.
- By 31 May – submit the register and pay the total amount.
Refer to our full instructions for how to lodge unclaimed money and lodge gaming venue unclaimed winnings and prizes.
Money held by other agencies or states
Some lost or unclaimed money is held by other government agencies or state revenue offices.
Search elsewhere for:
- lost superannuation managed by the Australian Taxation Office
- bank accounts, shares and life insurance managed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission
- unclaimed money in other states or territories:
- Australian Capital Territory Public Trustee and Guardian and ACT Government Treasury
- Revenue New South Wales
- Northern Territory Department of Treasury and Finance
- Queensland Public Trustee
- South Australia Department of Treasury and Finance
- Tasmania Department of Treasury and Finance
- Western Australia Department of Treasury
History of the register
The Unclaimed Money Register is published online under the Unclaimed Money Act 2008.
The register includes money lodged since 1997. Amounts lodged before 1 July 1997 are kept in hardcopy under the name of the lodging organisation.
Before 1 January 2009, businesses had to publish an annual list of unclaimed amounts in the Victorian Government Gazette.
