UPDATE: Nearly $300 million in unclaimed funds awaits residents across New South Wales (NSW), with more than 800,000 claims ready to be processed. The NSW government is urgently reaching out to residents to check if they are entitled to these funds, which range from just a few dollars to millions.
The unclaimed money pool, managed by Revenue NSW, consists of cheques, dividends, and refunds that belong to residents but have not been collected due to lost paperwork, outdated contact information, or estates being unaware of funds belonging to deceased relatives.
As of 2026, a significant $91 million is waiting to be claimed in Sydney’s CBD and affluent eastern suburbs. Furthermore, $76 million remains unclaimed across western Sydney, with regional areas also holding substantial sums: $22 million for the Central Coast and Hunter regions, over $8 million in the central and far west, $5.7 million in the Capital Region, and $10.5 million in the Illawarra and Southern Highlands.
The majority of these unclaimed items are located in Sydney, but an additional $394 million is held by Revenue NSW for individuals registered at addresses outside the state.
NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos emphasized the importance of reclaiming these funds, stating, “While Revenue NSW regularly contacts potential owners, incomplete data means people are sometimes missed. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to take a few minutes to check online – you might be surprised with what you find.”
In response to this growing issue, the NSW government upgraded Revenue NSW systems in 2024 to streamline the unclaimed money process, enhancing integration with Service NSW. The state has also reduced the time frame for businesses holding unclaimed money from six years to just two years.
“Last financial year, Revenue NSW returned more than $21 million to its rightful owners,” Ms. Houssos added. “With these new reforms, we’re making it faster and easier for people to get what they’re owed.”
Residents are urged to search the unclaimed funds register on the Revenue NSW website to see if they have money waiting for them.
In a similar vein, the Victorian government recently announced it holds over $200 million in unclaimed funds, highlighting the national trend of unclaimed money waiting to be reclaimed.
Take action now: Check if you are one of the many residents entitled to unclaimed funds that could significantly impact your financial situation. Don’t miss out on what could be life-changing money!
