Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP)

Every year temporary residents who have worked in Australia leave behind millions of dollars in superannuation. Eligible temporary residents who work in Australia, and have superannuation contributions paid by their employer, are entitled to receive their superannuation benefits once they permanently leave Australia. This payment is called the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP).

To be eligible, temporary residents need to have worked in Australia while visiting on an eligible temporary resident visa. A list of eligible temporary resident visas is available from www.ato.gov.au/departaustralia or by phoning the ATO on 13 10 20 (+612 6216 1111 from overseas).

The temporary resident can claim any payments that were made by their employer into a superannuation fund or retirement savings account once they permanently leave Australia and their temporary resident visa has expired or been cancelled.  In most cases payments will be subject to a 30% withholding tax.

Temporary residents may still be able to return to Australia on another visa, even if they have claimed and received the DASP. Australian and New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Australia are not eligible for this payment, as they have the option of retiring in Australia.

For more information about the DASP visit www.ato.gov.au and search for DASP.