This article is the operational guide for anyone who already understands what DASP is and wants to know exactly how to submit an application. If you are still assessing whether you are eligible or what to do before leaving Australia, start with the previous article: DASP: how to claim your superannuation when leaving Australia.
Prerequisite: your Australian visa must be inactive (expired or cancelled) and you must have already left the country. The system rejects applications while a visa is still active.
Step 1 — Find all your superannuation accounts
Before starting the application, confirm how many funds you have a balance in. It is common to have multiple accounts if you worked for different employers.
Ways to find your funds
- Through the DASP online system: when you enter your TFN, the system automatically locates all funds linked to your name. This is the most comprehensive method.
- Through myGov + ATO: if you have a myGov account linked to the ATO, go to "Super" to see all funds registered under your name.
- Direct contact with the fund: if you know the fund name (shown on your payslip), contact them directly to confirm your balance and account details.
- Super Fund Lookup: an ATO website where you can search for any fund's ABN by name.
Don't forget to search for all funds. Each employer may have contributed to a different fund. Unclaimed money stays held in the system — sometimes for years — until the account holder submits an application.
Online vs paper — the real difference
This distinction is important before you begin:
| Online system (recommended) | Paper form | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | One session — locates all your funds by TFN and submits automatically to each one | One NAT 7204 form per fund. 3 funds = 3 forms sent separately |
| ATO-held balance | Included in the same session automatically | Separate form (NAT 74880), sent directly to the ATO |
| Documents | Automatic verification via Home Affairs (no Form 1194 in most cases) | Form 1194 mandatory for balances ≥ AUD 5,000 |
| Cost | Free | Free (but more work) |
| Processing time | Up to 28 days per fund | Up to 28 days per fund |
Use the online system. It finds all your funds (and ATO-held amounts) in one go, checks your visa status automatically and submits everything in a single session. Paper only makes sense if the online system is unavailable or if a fund requires additional documentation.
Step 2 — The online system (main path)
The DASP Online Application System finds all your funds by TFN in a single session — you do not need to repeat the process for each fund. It is free, available 24/7 and covers both private fund balances and amounts already transferred to the ATO.
Access: ato.gov.au (search for "DASP online application")
Stage 1 — Welcome and instructions
The system presents general DASP information and basic requirements. Read carefully before continuing — especially the section on eligibility and required documents.
Stage 2 — Personal details
| Field | What to enter | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Full name as shown on passport | Exactly as it appears on the document |
| Date of birth | Date of birth | DD/MM/YYYY format |
| Country of passport | Country of origin | Select your country from the menu |
| Passport number | Passport number | No spaces or dashes |
| Email address | Your email | Used for notifications and receipts |
| Tax File Number (TFN) | Your Australian TFN | Optional, but speeds up the fund search |
Pay attention when creating your Shared Secret. After your personal details, the system asks you to create a secret question and answer. This combination is what allows you to resume the application if you leave and return later. Write down the question and answer exactly as you typed them — any discrepancy will prevent access to your saved application, and there is no way to recover it.
Stage 3 — Fund search and selection
The system displays funds found based on the TFN you provided. For each fund:
- Confirm it is yours (fund name + approximate period)
- Select the ones you want to include in the application
- If a fund does not appear, you can add it manually by ABN
Stage 4 — Fund details
For each selected fund, the system asks for:
| Field | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Account number (member number) | On fund statements or payslips |
| Fund ABN | On Super Fund Lookup or on statements |
| Start date with the fund | Approximate — date of your first job with the fund |
| Certified identification documents | Required for balances ≥ AUD 5,000 |
Stage 5 — Visa verification
The system automatically queries the Department of Home Affairs to confirm your visa is inactive. You will see:
- Visa type identified (important: Working Holiday or not — affects taxation)
- Status: active or inactive
If the visa type appears incorrect, do not submit the application. Contact the ATO by email before continuing — submitting with incorrect information can cause processing problems.
Stage 6 — Payment method
| Option | Available for | Estimated timeframe | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic transfer (EFT) | Australian bank account | Fastest | Account must be in your name |
| Cheque | Any address | Slower | In Australian dollars |
| International transfer (IMT) | Private funds only (not ATO) | Variable | Check fees and availability with the fund |
If you kept your Australian bank account open, choose EFT — it is the simplest method with no additional costs.
Stage 7 — Review and submission
Review all details before confirming. After submission:
- You receive a confirmation email
- The system automatically forwards to the fund or the ATO
- You can check the status in the system itself
- Processing time: up to 28 days
Step 3 — Paper forms (when required)
Use paper forms only if the online system is unavailable or if a fund requires additional documentation in person.
Paper = one form per fund. If you have a balance in 3 funds, you need to fill in and send 3 separate NAT 7204 forms — one for each fund. An ATO-held balance requires a fourth separate form (NAT 74880). That is why the online system is strongly recommended.
Which form to use
- NAT 7204 → one per superannuation fund (fund-held). Send directly to the fund.
- NAT 74880 → for the ATO, if the balance has already been transferred as unclaimed super (ATO-held). Send directly to the ATO.
How to complete NAT 7204
Certified copies of passport. If balance ≥ AUD 5,000, also attach Form 1194.
Choose between EFT (Australian account), cheque or international transfer (IMT). Provide complete banking details.
Sign and date confirming that the information is true and complete.
Full name, identification document and signature of the representative. Attach the authorisation letter.
Form 1194 — Required for balances ≥ AUD 5,000
For paper applications with a balance equal to or greater than AUD 5,000, you must present a Certification of Immigration Status issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
If you use the online system, this verification is done automatically — the system queries the Department of Home Affairs directly and waives Form 1194 in most cases.
How to apply for Form 1194:
Available on the Department of Home Affairs website (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au). Complete it in English.
Name, date of birth, passport number, visa details (type and number), dates of entry and departure from Australia, superannuation fund details and mailing address.
Certified copies of passport, proof of departure from Australia and visa grant or cancellation letter.
Payment is made electronically via ImmiAccount. Attach the payment receipt to the form.
Send the completed form and all attachments to GCN.admin@homeaffairs.gov.au. The Department will send the certification directly to the fund(s) and to you.
Document certification
Plain copies are not accepted for identification. Copies must be certified by a recognised authority.
In Australia (free or low cost)
- Justice of the Peace (JP) — free, available at libraries and some post offices
- Registered police officer
- Registered doctor or nurse
- Lawyer or accountant
In your home country (if you did not certify before leaving)
- Notary public / notary office
- Australian Consulate-General in your country
If you are still in Australia, certify now — it is free and takes just a few minutes. In your home country, the same process can be expensive and time-consuming.
Authorising a representative
If you cannot submit the application in person, you can authorise someone else:
- Online system: only registered tax agents can act as intermediaries
- Paper form: anyone can be authorised, provided they present written authorisation
Authorisation letter template
I, [Full Name], holder of [passport / ID type] number [document number], issued by [country], hereby authorize [Representative's Full Name], holder of [ID type] number [document number], to act on my behalf in all matters relating to my Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) application, including submission of forms, correspondence with the superannuation fund or the ATO, and receipt of any information or documents related to my claim.
Common problems — and how to solve them
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| System rejects the application | Visa still active or you are still in Australia | Wait for the visa to expire and confirm you have left the country |
| Cannot resume a saved application | Details entered when returning differ from the original | Use exactly the same name, date of birth and shared secret as the first time |
| Fund does not appear in the search | TFN not entered or fund not registered by ABN | Add the fund's ABN manually or contact the fund directly |
| Wrong visa type on screen 5 | Department of Home Affairs record has conflicting information | Do not submit — contact the ATO by email first |
| Documents rejected | Uncertified copies or inadequate certification | Redo certification with a recognised authority (JP, consulate, notary) |
| Balance transferred to ATO (unclaimed) | More than 6 months after visa expiry | Apply via the online system or NAT 74880 form directly to the ATO |
Useful email for contacting the fund
If you need to request information before starting the application:
Dear [Fund Name] Member Services,
I am a former temporary resident who has left Australia and wish to claim my Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP). Could you please confirm the required documents and procedures for my application, and provide my current balance?
My details: — Full name: [full name as shown on passport] — Member number: [account number] — Date of birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Thank you, [Name]
What happens after submission
- The fund or the ATO has up to 28 days to process the application
- You can track the status in the DASP online system itself
- After payment, you receive a DASP payment summary within 14 days — keep this document
If you return to Australia later: applying for DASP does not prevent a future return. If you work again, a new fund will be opened for new contributions. If you return as a permanent resident and there is an ATO-held (unclaimed) balance, it can be transferred back to an Australian fund.
Checklist — after leaving Australia
| # | Task | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ☐ | Confirm your visa has expired or been cancelled | Check via VEVO |
| ☐ | Gather statements and details for all funds | TFN, ABN, account number |
| ☐ | Apply for Form 1194 if balance ≥ AUD 5,000 and using paper | Send to Home Affairs |
| ☐ | Access the DASP online system and complete the application | ato.gov.au |
| ☐ | Choose payment method and provide banking details | Prefer EFT if you have an AU account |
| ☐ | Track processing (up to 28 days) | DASP online system |
| ☐ | Keep the DASP payment summary when it arrives | For tax return purposes |
| ☐ | Close your Australian bank account after receiving payment | Do not close it before |
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