Unclaimed money
We understand that life gets busy. The Public Trustee and Guardian may be holding money that belongs to you - it's worth checking!
The Public Trustee and Guardian hold unclaimed monies where a company or business has been unable to get in touch with you. Types of monies we hold include:
- Unclaimed dividends
- Unclaimed shares
- Monies from Real Estate agents
- Refunds that were never received
- Monies from telecommunications providers
- Monies from Lawyers and Solicitors offices
We hold this money safely until it is returned to the rightful owner.
How Do I Search for Unclaimed Money?
You can search for unclaimed money for free using the ACT Government's online service.
If you find money that belongs to you (or someone you represent), you can lodge a claim.
Who Can Make a Claim?
You can lodge a claim if you are:
- The owner of the money, or
- A legal or authorised representative (for example, executor, trustee, director, or attorney)
- A money finder with authority from your client
What Documents Do I Need to Prove My Identity?
You must provide two (2) certified copies of the following Australian identity documents:
Must provide one of these:
- Current Drivers licence (front and back); or
- Current Passport; or
- Proof of age or photo card
You must also provide one of the following:
- Birth certificate (certified copy)
- Medicare card
- Centrelink concession card
- Veteran card
- Citizenship certificate
- Certificate of registration by descent
If your name has changed
You must also provide:
- A marriage certificate, or
- A change of name certificate
How Do I Prove My Address?
You must provide one document that links you (or the money's owner) to the address on our records.
This can include:
- Utility bill (electricity, gas, water or phone)
- Bank statement
- Rates notice
- Residential lease agreement
- Government correspondence
- Insurance policy
If you do not have one of these, you may request address history from Medicare or the Australian Electoral Commission.
Making a Claim for Someone Else
If you are authorised to act on someone else' behalf, you must provide:
- A certified copy of a legal document confirming your authority (for example, power of attorney, probate, or an ASIC extract)
Claiming Money for a Deceased Person
If the money is held in the name of a deceased person, the executor or administrator must provide:
- Proof of identity for each executor or administrator
- Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration (or the will and death certificate)
- A document linking the deceased person to the address on our records
- Any other information supporting the claim
If the person died without a will (intestate), you must apply for Letters of Administration through your State/Territory Supreme Court and supply these once granted.
Claiming Money for a Company
If the money is held in a company's name:
- At least two current directors must provide proof of identity (one director if the company has a sole director)
You must also provide:
- Current and historical ASIC company extracts
- A document linking the company to the address on our records
- Any other information supporting the claim
ASIC is responsible for deregistered companies. If the money is held in the name of a deregistered company, contact us to discuss your situation.
Claiming Money for a Trust
If the money is held in a trust name, all current trustees must provide:
- Proof of identity
- A copy of the current trust deed
- A document linking the trust to the address on our records
- Any other information supporting the claim
Claiming Money for a Charity
If the money is held in a charity’s name, at least two approved officers must provide:
- Proof of identity
- A copy of the current governing document
- A document linking the charity to the address on our records
- Any other information supporting the claim
What Happens After I Submit My Claim?
Once your claim is submitted:
- You will receive a confirmation email
- The email will include a lodgement reference number
We will assess your claim to confirm you are legally entitled to the money. Please allow up to 60 days for payment to be processed. Due to the volume of claims we process, please do not follow up your claim if it is within the 60-day timeframe. We will contact you if we require further information about your claim.
What If My Claim Is Incomplete?
We may need more information if:
- Documents cannot be verified
- Documents are unclear or unreadable
- Your name does not match our records
- There is no clear link between you and the money
- The documents have not been legally certified (also called certified copies)
We will contact you and outline what documents need to be submitted ;or certified to enable your claim to be assessed. The PTG will request this information to be submitted within 30 days from the date of our correspondence is sent. If the information is not provided in time, your claim will be cancelled, and you will need to submit a new claim.
Companies or businesses can lodge unclaimed monies with the Public Trustee and Guardian (PTG) to manage under the following Acts:
Before monies can be sent to the PTG, the company or business must have met set legislative requirements (please check the relevant Act for specific requirements).
Overview of Conditions to be met
Unclaimed Money Act 1950 (the Act)
- 6 years has elapsed since the day the amount became payable and during the 6 year period, the company did not receive a request from a person entitled to the amount that the amount be paid to the person or someone else;
- By 31 January each year, particulars of money which have become unclaimed money during the preceding year are to be entered into an alphabetical register. This register should be maintained for public inspection for 12 months at the company's principal office during office hours;
- By 31 March of the following year, companies should lodge with the Public Trustee and Guardian, a copy of the register and a signed lodgement form and publish in a daily newspaper circulating in the ACT, a notice stating the company has unclaimed amounts owing from the previous year and with contact details for enquiries; and
- Companies are to lodge the money with the Public Trustee and Guardian, on behalf of the Territory, not later than one month after the end of the 12-month period.
Agents Act 2003
- Licensed agents must give the Office of Regulatory Services by 31 July each year, a statement of unclaimed trust money of more than three years held as of 1 July. The statement should include name, address, amount and purpose held; and
- Within six months of receipt, the Office of Regulatory Services will cause a notice under the Legislation Act and a publication in an ACT newspaper. After expiry of a further three months, a written notice will be issued to the licensed agent to pay unclaimed money to the Public Trustee and Guardian.
Legal Profession Act 2006
- Unclaimed money held in trust accounts controlled and administered by legal practitioners must be paid to the Public Trustee and Guardian within one month of becoming unclaimed; and
- Any amount of trust money held by a law practice becomes an unclaimed amount if –
- the amount has been held by the practice for a period of 6 years during which the practice has had no knowledge of the existence or address of the person on whose behalf the amount is held; or
- the person on whose behalf the amount is held failed to accept payment of the amount when tendered.
When the above conditions have been met, please download and complete the below documents to lodge your unclaimed monies:
- Lodgement of Unclaimed Money Form (pdf)86.2 KB
Unclaimed Money Bulk Lodgement Spreadsheet (xlsx)10.77 KB
Please submit the completed form to PTG's Unclaimed Monies processing team email: PTG_UCM@act.gov.au
You may also search:
- MoneySmart (ASIC) – lost bank accounts, shares and investments
- Fair Work Ombudsman – unpaid wages
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO) – lost superannuation
State and Territory Agencies
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ACT | |
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Queensland | |
South Australia | |
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Western Australia |
Further information regarding Unclaimed Money please contact our office:
Phone: 02 6207 9800
Email: PTG_UCM@act.gov.au
By Mail:
Public Trustee and Guardian
GPO Box 239
Canberra ACT 2601
Our hours of business are from 9:00 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).