Transferring lost super to the ATO
If we haven’t been able to get in touch with you in a while, and if there hasn’t been any activity with your super account for some time, we must report your account as lost and transfer it to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Here’s what happens
Your account is identified as 'lost'
Your super may be considered lost if it fits the definition of ‘uncontactable’ or ‘inactive’.
We report your account to the ATO
We report accounts we’ve identified as at risk of becoming lost or unclaimed to the ATO, who provide updated contact details for these accounts.
We try to contact you
We then use these contact details to try to get in touch with you, to let you know we’ve been given updated contact details and ask you to make sure they are correct.
We transfer your super to the ATO
If you don’t take action, we’ll transfer your lost or unclaimed super to the ATO, where it’s held in a central location and fees don’t apply.
Important note for West State Super members: if your account is transferred, it will be closed and cannot be reopened.
Stop your super from being transferred
If you’ve been notified that we received updated contact details for you from the ATO, you’ll need to either check the updated details we’ve put on your record are correct, or verify and update your contact details on your record yourself. What you’re asked to do will depend on how your lost account is defined according to lost super legislation.
Check your details
If you’ve received a communication from us asking you to check your updated contact details in Member Online (MOL) but take no further action if they are now correct, you can login to MOL and view these details in your online account. If they’re now correct, you don’t need to do anything further - your account is considered ‘found’.
Verify and update your details
If the communication we send you asks you to contact us to update your details, you will need to contact us directly to verify your details before your account will be considered ‘found’. To do this, you can update your contact details in MOL yourself, or call us on 13 43 72 (or otherwise contact us ) to confirm your details and we can update them for you.
West State Super members with lost accounts
If your West State Super account is transferred to the ATO, your account will be closed and you won't be able to open another one, even if you start working in the WA public sector again.
This is because West State Super is now a closed scheme. It also means that any insurance you may have attached to your West State Super account will cease.
Find out more about the unique features of West State Super.
If you’d like to transfer your super back to GESB, you can open a GESB Super account.
FAQs
Are you considered uncontactable or inactive?
Your super may be considered lost if it fits the definition of uncontactable or inactive.
This means:
- Uncontactable - you have never provided a contact address, or your recorded contact details have become invalid (for this to happen, we must receive two pieces of returned mail and/or a returned email for the addresses we have on file, depending on the details we have), and we haven’t received a contribution or roll in for you within the last 12 months
- Inactive - you joined us through your employer more than two years ago and your account has had no contributions or roll ins in the last five years
Read more about how to find your lost super.
How can I stop my account from becoming lost again?
You can make sure your super isn’t at risk of becoming lost by:
- Telling us if you change address, phone number or email address
- Making regular contributions to your super account
- Logging into Member Online to manage your super regularly
- Providing us with your tax file number in Member Online - this will also help make sure you’re not paying more tax than you need to
How do I check and update my details?
Check and update in Member Online
You can check and change your details in Member Online at any time. If you need to change your contact information, log in and then update the Personal details page.
Please note: if your details have changed, make sure you notify your employer before you update them with us. This helps avoid any delays in processing your request.
Other ways to change your details
To let us know your details have changed, you can also:
- Use Live Chat to speak to a Member Services Consultant in real time
- Call your Member Services Centre on 13 43 72
- Complete and submit our Change of details form
For some changes, such as changing your name, you’ll need to provide certified copies of certain identification documents. Learn more about how to provide proof of identity.
If you have lost super held by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), finding and putting this money into your chosen fund can help boost your balance in the long term.
More information
- Visit the ATO website for more information about lost and unclaimed super, including which accounts may be transferred to the ATO
- Register for or login to Member Online
- Find out more about West State Super
Need help
- Call us on 13 43 72
- Connect with us in real time via Live Chat
Thank you for printing this page. Remember to come back to gesb.wa.gov.au for the latest information as our content is updated regularly. This information is correct as at 05 June 2026.