If you’ve worked and earned super while visiting Australia on a temporary visa, you may be eligible to claim this super from your super fund (or from us if we’re holding your super) after you’ve left the country. Learn what you need to know before applying for your departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP).
Am I eligible to claim my DASP?
Generally, you’re able to claim your DASP if:
you earned super while working in Australia on a temporary visa
your visa has expired or was cancelled
you’ve left Australia and don’t have another active Australian visa.
You can’t claim DASP if:
you’re a citizen or permanent resident of Australia
Even though you can’t claim your DASP until after you’ve left, we encourage you to start your application before you leave. This is because it can be hard to get all the information you’ll need after you’ve left.
Do I need to provide any documents when submitting my application?
You’ll need to check with your super fund to find out what documents you’ll need to provide.
While you can’t submit your application before you go, you can get it ready. It’s much easier to get documents certified while you’re still in Australia, so we recommend you do this before leaving.
If we’re holding your super, generally we won’t need you to provide supporting documents.
When will I receive my DASP?
You should receive your DASP within 28 days of submitting your application. It may take longer:
depending on how it is paid (electronic funds transfer, cheque or international money transfer)
if you submit an incomplete application
if you need to submit additional documents.
How will my DASP be taxed?
Your super fund (or us if we’re holding your super) will assess your application and work out the amount of DASP tax to withhold from your payment.
You’ll be issued a DASP payment summary within 14 days of payment telling you the amount of DASP tax withheld.
Depending on your visa type and the components in your super, different DASP tax rates will apply.
Generally, the tax-free component is made up of your personal contributions to your super. The taxable component is usually made up of contributions made by your employer and any earnings your super makes while in the super fund.
If you’re unsure what components your super is made up of, ask your super fund.
If you held a WHM visa and another type of visa, the tax rate (or rates) depends on whether you’re claiming any super earned while you held a WHM visa. If you are, the DASP WHM tax rate will apply to the whole amount. If you’re not, the DASP ordinary tax rates will apply.
The tax rate is applied on a fund-by-fund basis. In other words, if you had two super funds and only the first fund held contributions earned under your WHM visa:
the DASP from the first fund would be taxed at the WHM rate
the DASP from the second fund would be taxed at the ordinary rate.
I'm trying to apply for DASP but I can't because my visa is still valid. How can I cancel my visa?
Are current permanent resident visa holders eligible to claim DASP?
If your super is with a superfund:
No. Former temporary residents who have become permanent residents of Australia or Australian/New Zealand citizen are not eligible to claim DASP from their superfund.
If you have ATO-held super:
Yes, if you were a former temporary resident before gaining a permanent visa. For example:
Your temporary visa must have ceased to be in effect at least 6 months ago.
You must have left Australia for at least 6 months after your temporary visa ceased to be in effect.
After I have claimed DASP, can I re-open my super account if I return to Australia?
Yes. If you return to Australia, you can open a super account. You’ll just need to check with your preferred super fund in case they have any conditions on opening an account.
Hi everyone, I’d like to know something. I’m currently in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, and after the end of my third year I think I will be leaving Australia. I was wondering, do I have the option to leave my superannuation in the fund until retirement? I’d also be willing to make annual contributions if that’s necessary to keep it active. I’d like it to remain in the fund because I might decide to come back in 1–2 years on a permanent or student visa. Thanks to anyone who can clarify this for me.
You can leave your super in your Australian fund. There's no requirement to withdraw your super when you leave Australia. However, if you don't claim your DASP within six months of leaving Australia and your visa ceasing, your fund may be required to transfer your super to us as unclaimed super.
If you do return to Australia, you can open a new super account and transfer the balance in.
Yes, given your visa has only recently been cancelled, you'll need to allow time for Home Affairs to update and send that info to us. You could contact them to chase it up and get an indication of how long it will be before they let the ATO know.
Or you could complete the DASP paper form, if you want to get onto it now. The form is available in the link.
I am trying to fill the DASP application online but it isn't verifying my details. I don't have both given and family name. I was also wondering how to enter the details for verification so that I can proceed with the application. I would also like to know much amount will be taxed on my super.
Here is some info to help you complete the DASP application. You may need to confirm your personal details recorded with your superfund so that we can match it with our records.
I WAS a permanent resident, under a migrant's visa program (175). 6 years later, I was incarcerated and subsequently deported to my home country after 1.5 years. I have lost my appeal to be able to return to Australia and I am banned for life.
I tried applying for the return of my super via DASP. However, the system is unable to search my records because, understandably, I wasn't a temporary resident. Since I am unable to return to Australia, I need to know the process of requesting for my superannuation. I understand that the situation is pretty rare, but I still have not gotten a response from researching online. I am unable to afford or contact a tax agent in Australia. Thank you.
You won't be able to use the DASP system, so when/how/if you can access your super will be dependent on several things such as your age and the circumstances under which you wish to access the super.
Hi there, I left Australia in November after 5,5 years of super contribution with a Student Visa. When I tried to apply to the DASP online, it told me that I haven't held a Working Holiday Visa, which is true, so to not apply. How can I apply from my Student Visa (500)? Considering that I'm already back home and can't contact ATO via phone. Thanks in advance.
Your expired student visa does mean you were a temporary resident and now that it has expired, you can apply for your super using the DASP process. The WHM DASP payment has a different rate of tax applied, this doesn't stop other temporary visa holders from using the DASP system.
