Departing Australia Superannuation Payment Claim Tutorial

If you have ever worked in Australia, whether part-time or full-time, your employer would usually have made Superannuation contributions (commonly referred to as “super”) on your behalf. After leaving Australia, you are entitled to claim your superannuation balance (after tax deductions). This scheme is called the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP).

In general, you may be eligible to apply if you:

• Accumulated super while holding a temporary resident visa (such as a student visa, spouse visa, or working holiday visa),

• Your visa has expired or has been cancelled,

• You have left Australia and no longer hold an active Australian visa, and

• You are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen, nor a permanent resident of Australia.

Although the application can only be submitted after you have left Australian territory, it is highly recommended to prepare all required documents before departure.

The information required includes:

• Personal details such as full name, date of birth, email address, passport details, TFN (Tax File Number), and other personal information; and

• Detailed information about your superannuation account(s).

If you worked for more than one employer, you likely have more than one superannuation account. Gather all relevant information, including:

• Superannuation fund name

• Membership number

• Product name

• Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI)

• Superannuation Product Identification Number (SPIN)

• Australian Business Number (ABN)

• Superannuation Fund Number (SFN)

• Date joined the fund

• Employer name and employer address

• Employment dates (from – to)

If you worked on campus and used UniSuper, this information can be accessed through the relevant UniSuper website.

There are three ways to submit a DASP claim:

1. Online application

2. Paper form submitted by mail to Australia

3. Authorising another person to lodge the claim on your behalf

This tutorial focuses on submitting a DASP claim through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website.

Step-by-step Guide to Applying for DASP Online

1. First, click on the DASP online application link.

2. After reading the requirements and confirming your eligibility, click “Next.” 

   

3. The next page is “Privacy Information.” After reading and agreeing to the terms, click “I agree.”

   

4. On the “Personal Declaration” page, select “Yes” if you are applying on your own (not representing someone else). 

   

5. Under “Personal Details,” the mandatory fields include family name, given name, date of birth, passport country, and passport number. Providing your TFN is optional but highly recommended, as it can help ATO verify your information more efficiently with your superannuation fund.

   
   
   

6. After completing this section, proceed to “Eligibility Verification” and click “Next.” The ATO will use your personal information to verify your visa status with the Department of Home Affairs. This process may take a few seconds to about one minute. 

   

7. Once verified, you will be directed to the “Shared Secret Password” page. Select a security question from the list and provide your answer. This password allows you to re-enter the system later to update your information and prevents unauthorised access.

   

8. On the “Contact Details” page, provide your email address, phone number, current residential address (outside Australia), previous Australian address, and preferred payment method. There are three payment options:

   • Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to an Australian bank account

   • Cheque

   • International Money Transfer (IMT) to an overseas financial institution

   Since my Australian bank account is still active, I selected the first option. For EFT, you will need to provide your BSB, account number, and account name.

   

   

9. The next page is “Visa Information.” If you have never held a Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa, the Department of Home Affairs will confirm this. WHM visa holders are subject to a higher DASP tax rate, up to 65%. If there is an error in your visa record (for example, you are indicated as having held a WHM visa when you have not), please contact the Department of Home Affairs to correct the information.

   

10. Next is the “Add an Application” section. The mandatory field here is the ABN of your superannuation fund. You will then be asked to provide additional superannuation details. It is not necessary to complete every field, but the more complete the information, the better. Enter all data without spaces. There is also an option to select:
    “I would like to save my details and return to this application at a later date to supply further information. Do not forward it to my superannuation fund at this time.”
    Click “Next” once completed. 

    

11. You will then be directed to the “Application for Payment” page. If you have additional superannuation accounts, click “Add Application.” If not, click “Next.

    

12. The final page is “Final Confirmation.” If all details are correct, click “Submit.” You will receive a confirmation email. If you wish to complete the form later, click “Exit.”

    
    
    

Processing Time and Important Notes

The application process is relatively quick, usually taking less than 15 minutes. After submission, the ATO forwards your claim to your superannuation fund. If all documents and information are complete and accurate, the payment is typically processed within 28 days.

In my experience, I submitted the application in the afternoon and received the funds in my Commonwealth Bank account the next day.

Please note that DASP is subject to a significant tax rate, generally 35%. Therefore, the amount transferred will be lower than the total balance shown in your superannuation account. This tax cannot be refunded when lodging your tax return after the end of the financial year.

I hope this tutorial is helpful. For further information, please refer to the official ATO website on DASP: