What happens to your super when you leave Australia?

If you are a temporary resident permanently leaving Australia

If you entered Australia on an eligible temporary work visa that has ceased to be in effect (for example, it has expired or been cancelled and you’re leaving permanently), you could access your super benefits. This payment is known as a departing Australia super payment (DASP) and is not available to Australian or New Zealand citizens, or permanent residents of Australia.

If you’re eligible, you’ll need to apply for a DASP. Please also note that we only make this type of payment by cheque or electronic funds transfer (EFT) to an Australian bank account.

For more information and to find out how to make a claim, please visit the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO’s) Super information for temporary residents departing Australia page.

If you've permanently emigrated to New Zealand

If you’re an Australian or New Zealand citizen who has emigrated permanently to New Zealand with the intention of staying indefinitely or permanently, you can apply to transfer the balance of your GESB Super benefit to a KiwiSaver account that will accept the payment.

Please call us on +61 8 9211 6680 for more information or to find out how to apply.

If you’re a West State Super member, you’ll need to transfer the balance of your West State Super benefit to a taxed fund, like GESB Super, before you can transfer your benefit to an eligible KiwiSaver account.