How to Claim Your Super Back When Leaving Australia

🏦 What is the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP)?🔗

DASP is the official mechanism that lets eligible temporary residents reclaim their Australian superannuation after leaving the country. Australia's super system requires employers to contribute a percentage of your wages into a super fund on your behalf. For most Australians, that money stays locked away until retirement. But if you were here on a temporary visa, you can access it when you go home. If you are new to super generally, our explainer on what superannuation is gives you the background.

🎯 The essential: Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and permanent residents generally cannot claim DASP. This payment is for temporary residents only. If you never claimed and enough time has passed, your fund may have transferred your balance to the ATO as unclaimed super, but you can still claim it.

✅ Who can claim DASP? (Eligibility)🔗

You must meet all of the following conditions:

• You held an eligible temporary visa (not a permanent visa, and not Australian or NZ citizenship).
• Your visa has expired or been cancelled.
• You have left Australia.
• You are not an Australian citizen and not a New Zealand citizen.
• You are not a permanent resident of Australia.
• Your super fund holds a balance in your name.

Working holiday makers on subclass 417 or 462 visas are eligible. This is one of the most common situations for people searching how to claim super back when leaving Australia. If you held multiple visa types during your stay, your eligibility depends on the visa you held when you last departed. If your working holiday tax more broadly is what you are after, our guide to working holiday visa tax in Australia covers the whole picture.

🧭 How to apply for DASP (step by step)🔗

The ATO provides a free online DASP application system. No tax agent required, though one can help if things get complicated.

• Step 1: Leave Australia and let your visa expire or be cancelled. You cannot apply while you are still in the country or while your visa is active.
• Step 2: Gather your documents. Passport details, visa details (subclass and grant number), Tax File Number, and super fund details (fund name, ABN, and your member number).
• Step 3: Go to the ATO DASP online application at ato.gov.au and submit. Submit one application per super fund. If you have three funds, you submit three applications.
• Step 4: Wait for processing. The fund or the ATO processes your claim and pays the net amount (after DASP tax) to your nominated overseas bank account.

If your super is held by the ATO as unclaimed super, apply directly to the ATO through the same DASP system. The process is slightly different but still free. A registered tax agent is not required, but can help if you have multiple funds, unclaimed super, or questions about your tax obligations. This article does not constitute tax advice.

💸 DASP tax rates: how much will you actually get?🔗

This is the part that stings. DASP payments are subject to withholding tax before you receive anything. The rate depends on your visa type.

For other temporary residents the hit is still real, but smaller. A $10,000 balance with a fully taxed element would net you around $6,500 after the 35% rate. The DASP tax rate for working holiday makers is the highest in the system, so if you are on a 417 or 462 visa, factor this in before you count on that super balance.

🧳 Practical tips before you leave🔗

A bit of preparation before you board that flight saves a lot of headaches later.

• Consolidate your super accounts. If you worked multiple jobs, you may have multiple funds. Merge them into one before you leave for one DASP application instead of several. Our guide to finding and consolidating lost super shows how.
• Keep your contact and bank details current. Update your overseas bank account details with your fund before you leave.
• Make sure your fund has your TFN. Without it, your fund may withhold tax at a higher rate.
• Check your balance via myGov. Link your ATO account, confirm your balance, and make sure your last employer actually paid what they owed.
• Do not wait too long to claim. If you do not claim within a certain period, your fund transfers your balance to the ATO as unclaimed super, adding an extra step.

⏱️ How long does DASP take?🔗

Most DASP claims are processed within 28 days of submission, according to the ATO. That is the standard timeframe when everything is in order. It can take longer if your fund needs to verify your details, if you have unclaimed super held by the ATO, or if there are discrepancies in your application.

Payment goes to your nominated overseas bank account, so allow extra time on top of the 28 days for international transfers to clear. Some banks take a week or more. Apply as soon as you are eligible and do not leave it for years. The longer you wait, the more likely your super is to be transferred to the ATO as unclaimed super, adding steps to the process.

❓ Frequently asked questions🔗