Lost Super and Consolidation Guide
Updated March 2026 · 7 min read
The average Australian changes jobs approximately 12 times during their working life. Each new employer often creates a new super account, which means many Australians end up with multiple super accounts, sometimes without realising it. These forgotten accounts continue to be charged fees and insurance premiums, slowly eroding the balance. This guide explains how to find lost super, how to consolidate, and what to check before merging accounts.
What Is Lost Super?
Super is classified as "lost" when the fund cannot contact you (for example, mail has been returned) or when the account has been inactive for a period. Super is classified as "unclaimed" when the member has reached retirement age and the fund has been unable to pay the benefit, or if the member has passed away and the fund cannot locate a beneficiary.
In both cases, if the balance is below $6,000 and the account is inactive, the fund is required to transfer the balance to the ATO. The ATO holds these amounts and will attempt to proactively consolidate them into an active super account.
Why Consolidate?
Having multiple super accounts creates several costs:
- Duplicate administration fees: Each account charges its own set of administration and investment fees, regardless of balance size.
- Duplicate insurance premiums: If insurance is active on multiple accounts, you are paying multiple sets of premiums for cover you may only be able to claim on once.
- Reduced compounding: Smaller, fragmented balances grow more slowly than a single consolidated balance, especially after fees are deducted.
- Harder to track: Managing multiple accounts means multiple logins, statements, and beneficiary nominations to maintain.
How to Find Lost Super
Go to my.gov.au and sign in. If you do not have an account, you can create one with your email address and identity verification.
In your myGov account, link to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) service. You will need to verify your identity using details from a recent tax return or other identification.
Once linked, navigate to the Super section in the ATO service. This page shows all super accounts held in your name across all funds in Australia, including lost or unclaimed super held by the ATO.
Select the accounts you want to transfer and choose a receiving fund. The ATO will initiate the transfer electronically. Most transfers complete within 3 to 5 business days.
Consolidating Through Your Fund
You can also consolidate by contacting your chosen receiving fund directly. Most funds have a "consolidate" or "combine your super" option in their member portal or app. You will need to provide details of the other fund (fund name, USI, member number). The receiving fund will then initiate a transfer on your behalf.
What to Check Before Consolidating
Before closing any super account, review these factors:
- Insurance cover: Any insurance attached to the account you are closing will be cancelled. If you need that cover, arrange replacement cover first.
- Defined benefit funds: A small number of older funds offer defined benefit pensions. Leaving a defined benefit fund is usually irreversible and may reduce your retirement income. Check carefully before transferring out.
- Employer-linked benefits: Some employer funds offer additional benefits (e.g. reduced fees, enhanced insurance) that are only available while you are employed with that company. These may be lost if you transfer out.
- Tax implications: Transferring between complying super funds does not trigger a taxable event. However, if the receiving fund is in a different tax jurisdiction (e.g. an overseas fund), different rules may apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare Fees Across Funds Before Consolidating
See which fund has the lowest total fees for your balance.
Compare NowGeneral information only, not personal financial advice. Before consolidating super accounts, check whether you will lose insurance cover or other benefits. Consider your own circumstances or consult a licensed financial adviser.