Claiming your departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP) online

If you’ve worked and earned super while visiting Australia on a temporary visa, you may be eligible to claim this super from your super fund (or from us if we’re holding your super) after you’ve left the country. Learn what you need to know before applying for your departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP).

Am I eligible to claim my DASP?

Generally, you’re able to claim your DASP if:

• you earned super while working in Australia on a temporary visa

• your visa has expired or was cancelled

• you’ve left Australia and don’t have another active Australian visa.

You can’t claim DASP if:

• you’re a citizen or permanent resident of Australia

• you’re a New Zealand citizen. Instead, you may be able to transfer your super to your KiwiSaver this opens in a new window .

How can I claim my DASP?

Even though you can’t claim your DASP until after you’ve left, we encourage you to start your application before you leave. This is because it can be hard to get all the information you’ll need after you’ve left.

You can submit your claim this opens in a new window  through online or paper application. Applying online is free and we’ve got help with the DASP online application system this opens in a new window  available on our website.

Do I need to provide any documents when submitting my application?

You’ll need to check with your super fund to find out what documents you’ll need to provide. While you can’t submit your application before you go, you can get it ready. It’s much easier to get documents certified while you’re still in Australia, so we recommend you do this before leaving.

If we’re holding your super, generally we won’t need you to provide supporting documents.

When will I receive my DASP?

You should receive your DASP within 28 days of submitting your application. It may take longer:

• depending on how it is paid (electronic funds transfer, cheque or international money transfer)

• if you submit an incomplete application

• if you need to submit additional documents.

How will my DASP be taxed?

Your super fund (or us if we’re holding your super) will assess your application and work out the amount of DASP tax to withhold from your payment.

You’ll be issued a DASP payment summary within 14 days of payment telling you the amount of DASP tax withheld.

For current DASP tax rates, see how DASP is taxed this opens in a new window  on our website.

Which DASP tax rate applies to me?

Depending on your visa type and the components in your super, different DASP tax rates will apply.

Generally, the tax-free component is made up of your personal contributions to your super. The taxable component is usually made up of contributions made by your employer and any earnings your super makes while in the super fund.

Your DASP tax rate this opens in a new window  is worked out on these components and if you’ve ever held a working holiday maker (WHM) visa this opens in a new window .

If you’re unsure what components your super is made up of, ask your super fund.

If you held a WHM visa and another type of visa, the tax rate (or rates) depends on whether you’re claiming any super earned while you held a WHM visa. If you are, the DASP WHM tax rate will apply to the whole amount. If you’re not, the DASP ordinary tax rates will apply.

The tax rate is applied on a fund-by-fund basis. In other words, if you had two super funds and only the first fund held contributions earned under your WHM visa:

• the DASP from the first fund would be taxed at the WHM rate

• the DASP from the second fund would be taxed at the ordinary rate.

I'm trying to apply for DASP but I can't because my visa is still valid. How can I cancel my visa?

You can submit a request to the Department of Home Affairs this opens in a new window  to cancel your latest visa this opens in a new window . If you hold a certain visa like a Visitor (subclass 600), or any other temporary visa with less than 6 months validity, they won't process requests for voluntary cancellation.

Are current permanent resident visa holders eligible to claim DASP?

If your super is with a superfund:

No. Former temporary residents who have become permanent residents of Australia or Australian/New Zealand citizen are not eligible to claim DASP from their superfund.

If you have ATO-held super:

Yes, if you were a former temporary resident before gaining a permanent visa. For example:

• Your temporary visa must have ceased to be in effect at least 6 months ago.

• You must have left Australia for at least 6 months after your temporary visa ceased to be in effect.

For more info about ATO-held super if you return to Australia on a permanent visa this opens in a new window  see our website.

After I have claimed DASP, can I re-open my super account if I return to Australia?

Yes. If you return to Australia, you can open a super account. You’ll just need to check with your preferred super fund in case they have any conditions on opening an account.

You can find more information about returning to Australia after claiming DASP this opens in a new window  on our website.

Do I have to include the DASP payment on my tax return?

No, you don’t need to include DASP on your tax return as it doesn’t form part of your assessable income for Australian tax purposes.