Temporary Residents Departing Australia

From 1 July 2002, if you entered Australia on an eligible temporary resident's visa and have subsequently permanently departed Australia, you are able to claim payment of any superannuation you may have accumulated. You are unable to apply for the payment of your benefit until after you have permanently departed Australia. Tax will be deducted before payment of your benefit.

If you do not claim your monies within six months of leaving Australia or expiry of your visa, we are required to transfer the monies to the Australian Taxation Office. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will not pay interest on these monies. Once your monies have been transferred to the ATO, you must contact the ATO should you wish to make a claim. Under relief granted by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), BUSS(Q) is not obliged to advise you when monies have been transferred or provide an exit statement.

Australian citizens who permanently depart Australia are not eligible to claim their benefits under this condition. New Zealand citizens who have been working temporarily in Australia are also not eligible when they leave Australia.

Further information regarding this can be found on the ATO website.