How much super tax will I pay?

65% for working holiday makers (subclass 417/462). The net 35% is paid to you.

Can I claim super while still in Australia?

No. You must have left and your visa must have ceased. Applying before both are true gets rejected.

Superannuation

How to get your superannuation back after Australia

Updated 2026-06-16

You worked in Australia on your working holiday. On every payslip, your employer set money aside for your retirement. That's your superannuation. It's 12% of your gross wage, paid on top of your salary, not taken out of it. Earn $30,000 gross and roughly $3,600 went into a super fund in your name. When you leave Australia for good, you can claim it back. It's called DASP, the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment. Between the 65% tax, hidden insurance and lost funds, it's a maze. Here's the clear version.

1. Who can claim, and when

Two conditions: you worked on a temporary visa (417, 462, student, etc.), AND you've left Australia and your visa has expired or been cancelled. You cannot claim while you're still in Australia. Even if your visa expires tomorrow, the claim only happens after you leave.

2. The painful part: why the ATO takes 65%

For Working Holiday Makers, DASP is taxed at 65% of the taxable part of your super. Yes, 65%. It's not a bug, it's the law. Australia applies a deterrent rate so temporary workers don't treat super as a tax-friendly savings account to empty on the way out.

In your super	You get ≈
$2,000	$700
$5,000	$1,750
$10,000	$3,500

Changed visa during your stay (e.g. WHV then student)? If the contributions sat in the SAME fund, the ATO can apply 65% to the whole account. Even the student-visa part that should have been 35%. It's called contamination, and it can cost thousands. We cover how to avoid and fix it in its own guide below.

3. Find your super (you may have several)

Worked for four employers across three states and don't remember which funds you have? It's all findable: log in to myGov → ATO → Super, and it lists every account, balance and contribution linked to your TFN. Each new employer often opens a new fund, so you may have several quietly charging fees.

The silent thief: most funds switch on default insurance (death, disability, income protection) that charges monthly fees even after you stop working. A small balance can drain to zero. Cancel the insurance on every fund as soon as you stop your job. There's a short guide on this below.

4. How to lodge your DASP

The claim is free. You don't need a paid intermediary.

Wait until you've left Australia AND your visa has expired or been cancelled (you can request an express cancellation from Home Affairs, ~$140, if your visa is still valid).
Gather: passport, visa grant notice, TFN, international bank details, and each super fund's name and member number.
Apply on the ATO's DASP Online Application system. It asks for your details, each fund's details, and your bank info.
The ATO forwards the claim to your fund. Standard payout is 10 to 14 business days once the fund has everything. In practice, allow 4 to 8 weeks.

Documents by amount: under $5,000 per fund, your online claim usually suffices. Over $5,000, the fund may require certified copies of your passport (notary, lawyer, JP or consular officer). That's slow and sometimes costly from abroad, so check your fund's rules BEFORE you leave. And your last employer can legally pay super up to a quarter late. Wait about 3 months after your last day, or check on myGov that all contributions have landed, before lodging.

Don't claim and your money stays in the fund, eaten by fees and insurance, until 6 months after your visa expires. Then it transfers to the ATO as unclaimed super. Still recoverable, just slower. Claim within those 6 months.

FAQ

How much super tax will I pay?: 65% for working holiday makers (subclass 417/462). The net 35% is paid to you.
Can I claim super while still in Australia?: No. You must have left and your visa must have ceased. Applying before both are true gets rejected.

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General information to help you find your way, not personalised tax advice. For your exact situation, refer to the ATO (ato.gov.au) or a registered tax agent.