If you worked in Australia as a temporary resident, you may be able to claim back your compulsory superannuation through a Departing Australia Superannuation Claim. Employers pay super into your fund when you work. Once you leave Australia permanently and your visa expires, you may access it through a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment, often shortened to DASP.
This guide explains eligibility rules, documents needed, application steps, processing timelines, tax rates and what happens if you do not claim your super. ISM Accountants supports departing workers worldwide to complete these claims correctly and maximise the amount they receive.
What Is a Departing Australia Superannuation Claim?
A Departing Australia Superannuation Claim (DASP) is a system that allows temporary visa holders to withdraw the superannuation contributions made by their employer while working in Australia.
Superannuation is designed to support Australians in retirement. However, temporary residents who leave Australia permanently do not remain part of the retirement system and can request their accumulated super balance to be transferred to a bank account overseas.
Eligible Visas for DASP
You can claim a DASP if you held most temporary visas, including:
- Working Holiday Maker (subclasses 417 and 462)
- Student visas (Subclass 500)
- Skilled work visas (e.g., 457, 482, 485, 489)
- Seasonal or bridging visas in some circumstances
You cannot claim DASP if you:
- Are an Australian citizen
- Are a permanent resident
- Are a New Zealand citizen (NZ citizens may transfer super to a KiwiSaver scheme instead)
You must have left Australia permanently and your visa must have expired or been cancelled before applying.
Who Is Eligible to Claim Super After Leaving Australia?
You are eligible to apply for a Departing Australia Superannuation Claim if:
- You worked in Australia and your employer paid super
- You held an eligible temporary visa (not subclass 405 or 410)
- Your visa has expired or been cancelled
- You have permanently left Australia
- You are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident
You cannot lodge a DASP if you are an Australian permanent resident or citizen. In that case, your super remains subject to standard retirement withdrawal rules.
Recommended Read: Income Tax Audit in Perth
When Can You Apply for Departing Australia Superannuation Payment?
You can apply for your DASP as soon as:
- You have departed Australia permanently
- Your temporary visa has expired or been formally cancelled
Although you can prepare your documents while still in Australia, the application itself can only be lodged after leaving.
Important: If you wait longer than six months after your departure, your super fund may transfer your balance to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as unclaimed super. You can still claim it from the ATO, but it involves extra steps.
How to Claim Your Superannuation After Leaving Australia?
There are two main ways to claim your superannuation: online or paper.
Step 1 – Apply Online (Recommended)
Most people use the ATO DASP online application service. This system:
- Confirms your visa status with the Department of Home Affairs
- Prefills information from ATO records
- Helps locate all your super funds
- Is free to use
Online applications are faster, less prone to rejection, and provide confirmation when your claim has been received.
Step 2 – Use the Paper Method (Optional)
You can also lodge a claim using Form NAT 7204 directly with your super fund. Paper applications usually:
- Require certified copies of identity documents
- Need manual mailing or uploads
- Take longer to process
- Are more likely to be rejected if a document is missing
Documents You Will Need
When lodging a DASP, you will typically need:
- Passport and certified identity documents
- Super fund account number and ABN
- Australian bank account (recommended for faster payment)
- Tax File Number (optional but helpful)
How Long Does It Take to Receive Your Super?
Once your completed application and all supporting documents are received, most DASP payments are processed within 28 days.
Delays may occur if:
- Your visa cancellation is not recorded correctly
- Your personal details do not match super fund records
- You have multiple super accounts
- Identity cannot be verified
Tip: Keep your Australian bank account open until payment arrives. International transfers may take longer and could incur fees.
Recommended Read: How to Set up an ABN in Australia?
Can I Withdraw My Super If I Leave Australia Permanently?
Yes, if you held a temporary visa and your visa has expired, you are generally entitled to claim your super. Travellers on Working Holiday visas, students on Subclass 500 visas and skilled workers on visas such as 482, 485, 489 and similar categories may apply. The most important condition is that your visa must no longer be active and you must have already left the country.
People who become Australian permanent residents or citizens cannot access their super early simply because they travel abroad. In that situation, super remains locked away under the standard retirement rules.
Super Balance Rules You Should Know Before departing Australia
Document requirements change depending on the size of your super balance.
If your balance is under $5,000
You will usually need:
- Certified copies of your passport pages
- Evidence that your visa expired or was cancelled
If your balance is $5,000 or more
You must also lodge a Certification of Immigration Status. This requires:
- Form 1194 from the Department of Home Affairs
- A small processing fee
- Extra identity confirmation
Many temporary residents choose to work with ISM Accountants for these applications because small mistakes on identity documents can delay a claim by months.
How Much Tax Will You Pay On Your Withdrawal?
Tax is deducted before payment. The rate depends on your visa type:
- Working Holiday Makers (417 / 462): 65% flat tax on the taxable component
- Other Temporary Residents:
- Taxed elements: 35%
- Untaxed elements: 45%
- Taxed elements: 35%
- After-tax personal contributions: Usually not taxed
Use a Departing Australia Superannuation Claim calculator or work with ISM Accountants to estimate your payout before lodging.
What Happens If You Do Not Claim Your Superannuation while Departing Australia?
If you leave Australia, your visa expires and you do not apply for DASP within six months, your super fund must transfer your balance to the Australian Taxation Office as unclaimed super.
When this occurs:
• You do not lose your money
• Your balance stops earning investment returns
• You must apply through the ATO rather than the fund
• Tax still applies to the payment
Many people discover years later that they have unclaimed super in ATO holding accounts. ISM Accountants specialises in recovering these balances for former temporary residents now living overseas. Explore the service location of the ISM Accountants.
Returning to Australia Later
Once your Departing Australia Superannuation Claim has been paid, your super account is closed. If you later return to Australia on a new work visa, a new superannuation account will be created and employer contributions will start again under the standard rules.
Your old super cannot be reinstated once it has been withdrawn.
Why Work With ISM Accountants for Easy Departing Australia Superannuation Claim?
You can lodge a Departing Australia Superannuation Claim yourself. However many temporary residents encounter challenges such as:
- Multiple super funds
- Lost or outdated records
- Different names across documents
- Unsure visa history
- Certification errors
- Time zone delays once overseas
ISM Accountants helps by:
- Confirming eligibility
- Locating all active and inactive super funds
- Preparing digital or paper applications
- Assisting with Form 1194 and certified ID
- Recovering balances held by the ATO
- Managing the process from start to finish
We simplify every step so you receive every dollar you are entitled to with less stress and less waiting. Explore our other services for your business and taxation needs.
Final Word
A departing Australia superannuation claim allows temporary residents to legally withdraw the superannuation they earned while working in Australia. Think of DASP as a final settlement for your time in Australia. You contributed to the workforce, your employer contributed to super and you are entitled to collect it once you leave permanently and your visa ends.
With correct preparation, the process is straightforward. If you would like expert help gathering documents, locating funds and submitting a complete application, ISM Accountants is ready to assist no matter where in the world you are now living. Contact us today
FAQs
Yes. Temporary residents can claim their super once they leave Australia and their visa expires or is cancelled. Citizens and permanent residents are not eligible.
Yes. DASP is the only legal method for temporary visa holders to access super before retirement age after leaving Australia.
You can apply once your visa ceases. There is no expiry, but unclaimed super moves to the ATO after six months.
Most payments are processed within 28 days once all documents are correct and identity verified. Delays may occur if details mismatch or multiple funds exist.
It is transferred to the ATO. You can claim it later, but it stops earning investment returns, and tax is applied.
The three-year rule does not affect temporary residents. You can claim a DASP at any time after leaving Australia and your visa expires.
Most apply online using the ATO portal. You need passport details, super fund info, and an Australian bank account. If your balance is over $5,000, a Certification of Immigration Status is required. An accountant can simplify this process.
