How to Find Lost Super in Australia

Lost superannuation is a widespread problem in Australia. Every time you change jobs, move house, or switch super funds without updating your details, there's a chance your super gets classified as "lost" or "unclaimed." The ATO currently holds more than $16 billion in lost and unclaimed super on behalf of Australians.

You might have lost super if you've ever changed jobs without telling your new employer to pay into your existing fund, moved house without updating your address with your fund, had multiple part-time or casual jobs, or simply lost track of an old fund statement.

Step 1: Check through MyGov and the ATO

The fastest way to find lost super is through your MyGov account linked to the ATO. Here's how:

Log in to myGov (or create an account if you don't have one)
Link the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to your myGov account — you'll need your Tax File Number (TFN) and details from a recent ATO notice
Once linked, go to Super → Manage → Find lost super
The ATO will show every super account held in your name across all funds, including any amounts held by the ATO itself

What you'll see: A complete list of all super accounts linked to your TFN — active accounts, lost accounts, and any super held directly by the ATO (called ATO-held super). You may be surprised to find accounts from employers you'd forgotten about.

Step 2: Consolidate into one account

Once you've found all your super, you can consolidate (roll over) multiple accounts into a single fund — directly through MyGov. This is important because multiple accounts mean multiple sets of fees and potentially multiple insurance premiums eating into your balance.

Before consolidating, check:

Insurance: If any of your accounts include insurance cover (death, TPD, income protection), consolidating may cancel that cover. Make sure you have replacement cover in place first.
Fees: Compare the fees of each account — you want to consolidate into the fund with the lowest total fees relative to your balance.
Defined benefit: If you have a defined benefit account, do not consolidate it without financial advice — defined benefit entitlements are almost always worth keeping.

For a full walkthrough, see our guide to consolidating super accounts.

Step 3: Check directly with old employers and funds

If the ATO search doesn't find everything, you can also contact former employers directly to ask which fund they paid your super into. Many employers keep payroll records going back years. You can also try contacting super funds directly — if you remember ever receiving a statement from a fund, call them with your details to check if you still have an account.

How much could it be costing you?

The average lost super account has a balance of around $6,000 — but some Australians have $50,000 or more scattered across forgotten accounts. Even a "small" lost account of $5,000 could be losing $50–$100 per year in fees while earning nothing if it's been transferred to the ATO. Over 10 years, that's $500–$1,000 gone in fees alone.

Quick maths: A 30-year-old who finds and consolidates $10,000 in lost super into a fund returning 7% after fees would have approximately $76,000 more at retirement (age 67). That's the power of compound returns on money you'd otherwise forgotten about.

Preventing future lost super

The easiest way to avoid losing track of super is to choose one fund and give your details to every new employer. When you start a new job, provide a Standard Choice Form nominating your existing fund. Update your contact details with your fund whenever you move. And check your ATO super summary at least once a year through MyGov.

Related guides

Important information The information on SuperFind is general in nature and does not take into account your personal financial situation, needs, or objectives. It is not personal financial advice. Before making any financial decisions about your superannuation, consider whether the information is appropriate for your circumstances and consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser. Super fund data including fees and performance returns shown on this site were current as of April 2026 — always verify figures on the fund's website. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Data sourced from APRA, ATO, and individual fund disclosures. SuperFind is a DecisionLab publication.