APC

Last updated: March 2026

If you worked in Australia on a student visa, working holiday visa, or another temporary visa, chances are your employer contributed money to a retirement fund. This fund is called superannuation (or just “super”).

👉 The good news? You don’t have to wait until retirement — when you leave Australia for good or for now and your visa expires, you can claim that money back.
👉 The catch? If you don’t, it may end up with the government and take forever to recover later.

What’s Superannuation “Super”?

Super is money your employer pays on top of your wage — usually 10.5% of your earnings — into a special fund. Think of it as “bonus savings” you can only touch under certain rules.

Best Practices for Managing Your Super

One of the biggest mistakes I see from students and working holiday makers? Letting employers open super accounts for them. It might feel easier in the moment, but long-term it can cause headaches. What are common hickups? Non-existing or lost logins, wrong details of yourself, duplicate funds and even missing money. It happened to me. I saw myself with four employers. It happens quicker than you think in Australia. One of them put my starting date as date of birth. This mistake made consolidating my super into one account of my choice a little more complicated and it was super frustrating.

👉 Open your own super account online.
That way, you’re always in control of your login, personal details and balance.

👉 Always give new employers your fund details.
By law, they must pay into your chosen fund if you hand in the Standard Choice form within 28 days. If you don’t, the ATO will “staple” you to a fund. Alternatively, your boss will just use their default. This can lead to multiple accounts and unnecessary fees. Yes, each account charges you a fee. Let’s avoid this.

👉 Keep your account active when switching visas.
Moving from a Working Holiday Visa to a student visa? You don’t need to start a new fund, your existing one stays valid.

Choosing a Super Fund

Selecting the right super fund is an important decision. Look for a fund with low fees, strong performance history, and user-friendly online access. Here are some factors to consider:

Key Selection Criteria

Factor	What to Look For
Fees	Compare administration and investment fees across funds
Performance	Review historical returns (past performance doesn’t guarantee future results)
Accessibility	Ensure you can easily track your balance and manage settings online
Insurance Options	Check what default insurance coverage is included

Superannuation Comparison Tools

The Australian Taxation Office provides an official comparison tool at ATO YourSuper comparison website. This can help you compare funds based on fees, performance, and features. What did I do? I asked the people around me which super is best, also which bank account is recommended.

Bank Account Considerations

When setting up your banking arrangements, be mindful of international transfer fees. Some banks charge significant fees for cross-border transactions. It’s advisable to test transfers with small amounts before moving larger sums.

I started with HSBC, but wasn’t really happy with their app and transparency. Also just a little tip – and I will put out a post for international banks. I opened a HSBC Euro account. Before transferring all my money, I tested with 10 EUR. Only 3 Eur made it into the Australian HSBC Euro account. The rest was taken as fees, transaction, transfer or whatever fees. Not great, so look out.

After more research, I opened an ING Orange Everyday account and am super happy. I had it now for almost 18 months. The saving maximiser is one of the best and gives you the highest interest rates. I got – so far no complaints. I do have a refer a friend code for you. Simply open your account and use JPP854. Of course, Terms and Conditions apply. But you could get 100 AUD out of it. I also started my Superannuation account with them ING Living Super.

How to Open a Superannuation Account

• Sign up on your chosen fund’s website.
• Provide your ID, tax file number (TFN), and Aussie address. It comes in handy to get an Australian Driver’s License, but that’s a topic for another day.
• You’ll get a member/account number. Keep this safe, it’s what you give to every employer.
• Stick with the default investment/insurance options unless you really want to customise.

Consolidating Your Accounts

If you already have multiple funds:

1. Log into myGov → ATO services.
2. Check for all accounts in your name (even old or lost ones).
3. Choose your main fund, and transfer everything in.

⚠️ Watch out: sometimes old accounts carry insurance you may want to keep. Double-check before consolidating.

Who Can Claim the Super?

You can get your super back if:

• You worked on a temporary visa (student, working holiday, etc.) – more info on ATO website
• Your visa has expired or been cancelled
• You’ve left Australia permanently

You cannot claim if you’re:

• An Australian or New Zealand citizen
• A permanent resident
• Still holding an active visa

How to Claim Your Super (DASP system)

1. Check your balance (ATO online services or your super fund’s site).
2. Make sure your visa expired/cancelled (don’t cancel before finishing work).
3. Get your docs ready: passport, visa details, proof of ID, super account, bank details.
4. Apply online via the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) system. More info here
   👉 You can start before you leave, but only submit once you’re out of Australia.
5. Wait for payment: usually ~20 days.

How Much is The Tax on Super Withdrawals

• Working Holiday Visa → Here’s the not-so-fun part about super if you’re on a Working Holiday Visa: the withdrawal tax is a massive 65% (ouch 😬).
• Student visa & other temporary visas → ~35% tax.
• Citizens & permanent residents: no access until retirement age.

👉 The 65% DASP tax rate is specifically tied to the status of being a temporary resident leaving Australia permanently.

• If you leave Australia permanently: The 65% tax applies (if you ever held a WHM visa subclass 417 or 462). The entire super balance you claim will be taxed, even if some of those contributions were made while you were on a different visa like a Student visa. The ATO doesn’t split your super into separate portions based on which visa you held when each contribution was made. Once you’ve been on a WHM visa, that classification applies to your whole DASP claim.
• However, if you stay in Australia and become a Permanent Resident (PR) or Citizen: The DASP tax no longer applies. You gain full access to your super at retirement age (currently 60+) at the standard tax rates, effectively “dropping” the 65% penalty.
• If you leave and come back on a different visa: The situation is complex. If you leave and claim DASP, the 65% is triggered. If you don’t claim DASP and return, the money stays in the fund. If you eventually become a PR/Citizen, the DASP tax is irrelevant because you are no longer a “departing temporary resident.”
• If you’ve never held a WHM visa and only worked on other temporary visas (Student visa 500, Temporary Graduate visa 485, etc.), the standard DASP tax rate applies: approximately 35% on the taxed element of your super.

👉 You could avoid this huge penalty by working as sole trader / freelancer. Have you heard of an Australian Business Number (ABN)? I’ll do a deep-dive below.

Disclaimer: Tax laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. I’d recommend verifying current rates directly with the ATO website or consulting a registered tax agent before making decisions.

What’s an ABN?

An Australian Business Number (ABN) is an 11-digit ID that registers you as a business. You’ll need it if you want to:

• Invoice clients or get paid as a freelancer/contractor
• Register for GST (only if you earn over $75,000/year)
• Run your own small business or gig work legally

What’s a Sole Trader?

Being a sole trader just means you’re running the business yourself. You’re the boss, you keep the profits, and you’re also responsible for taxes and any liabilities. At tax time, you report your earnings through your individual tax return using your ABN.

👉 Both Working Holiday Visa (WHV 417/462) and Student Visa holders can apply for an ABN. You don’t need to be a permanent resident or citizen.

You can invoice clients, work freelance or even subcontract. Many people do this for jobs like hospitality shifts, farm work, trades, creative work or online gigs. Anything really.

As a sole trader, you are responsible for your own tax return. You don’t have an employer making super contributions on your behalf.

What are the Advantages and Rules for WHV Holders

Yes — you can apply for an ABN and work as a sole trader. Perfect for:

• Small side hustles
• Freelancing
• Gig-economy work (delivery, rideshare, online services)
• Tutoring or trade work

THE HACK: you can completely avoid the super fund. All money you earn is under your responsibility. You could put some of it into a super, but you’d still pay the 65% in tax… I feel that putting some of the money into an ETF gives you more return on investment. What do you think?

But:

• WHV rules still apply: max 6 months with one employer, even if you’re on an ABN.
• An ABN isn’t mandatory unless your work type or client requires it. However, having one helps you get paid faster. It also helps you avoid PAYG tax withheld by clients.
• You must still declare income and lodge a tax return with your TFN.

👉👉🏼👉🏽👉🏾👉🏿 More about working holiday 👈👈🏼👈🏽👈🏾👈🏿

What are the Advantages and Rules for Student Visa Holders

Students can also run a business and freelance as a sole trader.

• Work limits apply: 48 hours per fortnight (during study periods).
• These limits include your ABN business hours.
• You need to report all income. So good record-keeping is essential.
• You are able to invoice based on completed service units. One unit could be: cleaning office on third floor – charging $xyz.

👉👉🏼👉🏽👉🏾👉🏿 More about student visa conditions 👈👈🏼👈🏽👈🏾👈🏿

How to Register as a Sole Trader

1. Get your TFN (Tax File Number) first.
2. Apply for an ABN for free at abr.gov.au — takes just minutes.
3. Set up as Sole Trader: You can trade under your own name or register a business name.
4. Invoice with your ABN so clients don’t withhold extra tax.
5. Follow your visa conditions: WHV = 6 months/employer. Student = 48 hrs/fortnight.
6. Keep records + lodge tax returns each year.

What happens If I Don’t Claim My Super?

Superannuation isn’t just “free money” you forget about when you leave Australia. If you worked here on a student visa, WHV, or another temporary visa, your employer paid into your super fund. That money is yours to claim when you leave permanently.

But here’s the catch 👇

If You Don’t Claim It Right Away…

Your super fund won’t hold your account forever. Too much time passing after your visa expires can be problematic. Also, if your fund can’t reach you because you’ve changed address, email, or phone number, they will transfer your balance. It goes to the Australian government as “unclaimed super.” More info here

What Does “Unclaimed Super” Mean?

It’s still your money, but it’s now with the Australian Tax Office (ATO) instead of your fund. And the process to get it back becomes way more complicated.

To recover unclaimed super, you’ll need to:

• Apply directly to the ATO
• Provide detailed proof of identity
• Show evidence of your visa status and departure
• Wait for extra checks and longer processing times

And here’s the truth: many people describe it as confusing and stressful. They find it full of paperwork compared to the simple online DASP claim you could have done right after leaving.

Why You Should Claim On Time

• Faster → Most standard DASP payments are processed within 20 business days.
• Less Stress → You avoid extra forms and ATO back-and-forth.
• More Control → You can track your claim directly through your super fund instead of digging through government systems later.

Quick Summary: What You Need to Know

Superannuation is your money. When you leave Australia permanently on a temporary visa, you can claim it back through the DASP system. But there are important details to get right:

Key Point	What It Means
Claim it on time	Apply within 6 months of leaving. Delays mean your super goes to the ATO as “unclaimed” and becomes harder to recover.
65% tax rule	If you ever held a Working Holiday Maker visa (417/462), the entire super balance is taxed at 65% when you claim DASP — not just the portion earned during WHV years.
Student visa rate	If you never held a WHM visa, the standard DASP rate (~35%) applies to your super balance.
ABN option	Working as a sole trader with an ABN means no employer super contributions. This avoids the 65% tax but also means you lose the 10.5% employer guarantee.
Mixed employment risk	If you work ANYWHERE as an employee (even one shift), that super taints your entire balance. ABN work alone won’t protect you if you also take employee roles.
Student visa limits	All ABN work hours count toward your 48-hour fortnightly limit during study periods. Track your total hours carefully.
Separate accounts don’t help	Opening multiple super accounts for different visa periods doesn’t avoid the 65% tax. The ATO tracks your visa history through your TFN.
Stay vs. leave	If you become a Permanent Resident or Citizen, the 65% DASP tax no longer applies. You keep your super intact for retirement access.

Bottom line: Your super is yours to claim, but the tax outcome depends heavily on your visa history and employment choices. Plan accordingly.

General Disclaimer

Important Notice: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax or immigration advice.

• Tax rates and regulations change. The rates mentioned (65% for WHM, ~35% for other temporary visas) are based on information available as of 2024-25. Verify current rates directly with the ATO website or consult a registered tax agent before making decisions.
• Individual circumstances vary. Your specific visa history, employment type, and timeline may affect your eligibility and tax obligations differently than described here.
• Visa conditions are strict. Working beyond your visa limits (including ABN hours for student visa holders) can result in visa cancellation and future immigration consequences. Always check your specific visa conditions with the Department of Home Affairs.
• Professional advice recommended. For complex situations (mixed visa types, significant super balances, or uncertain residency status), consult a registered tax agent or migration agent with experience in Working Holiday Maker taxation.
• Links and references. External links are provided for convenience only. I am not responsible for the accuracy or availability of third-party websites.
• No warranty. While I strive for accuracy, information may become outdated or contain errors. Use this content at your own discretion.

Contact Us for Visa & Study Guidance

Whether your goal is to gain practical skills in Australia or New Zealand, work while you travel, or transition into a skilled migration pathway, we help you choose the right course, structure your study plan, and align your education with your long-term career goals.

We specialize in guiding applicants through the complexities of:

• Student Visas (Subclass 500): Selecting CRICOS-registered courses that meet genuine temporary entrant requirements.
• Working Holiday Visas (Subclass 417/462): Understanding eligibility, work rights, and how to leverage your time abroad for future migration.
• Study Pathways: Connecting your current qualifications to vocational training in high-demand sectors like Construction, Automotive, Hospitality, and Management.

👉 Contact us today for personalized advice on visa eligibility, course selection and study pathways in Australia and New Zealand. Let’s build a plan that gets you there.