If you worked in Australia while studying or holding another temporary visa, your employer may have paid superannuation into an Australian fund. After you leave, you may be able to claim that money as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP). DASP allows certain former temporary residents who accumulated Australian super to apply for payment after leaving Australia.
中文说明：符合条件的留学生或临时居民离开澳洲、且相关签证已失效后，通常可以通过澳洲税务局（ATO）的 DASP 网上系统申请领取 Super。DASP 不是普通报税退款，付款时通常会扣除 DASP 税。
Who may be eligible for DASP?
A former Subclass 500 student or other temporary resident may generally be eligible where all relevant conditions are met, including that they:
- accumulated super while holding an eligible temporary visa;
- have left Australia;
- no longer have a visa in effect—for example, it has expired or been cancelled; and
- are not an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident.
Not every temporary visa or personal situation is eligible. Visa status and citizenship rules matter, so use the ATO’s current criteria rather than assuming that studying or working in Australia automatically creates a right to payment. DASP also does not mean you receive your full account balance: fund fees and DASP withholding tax may reduce the amount paid.
When can I submit a DASP application?
必须已经离开澳洲，并且相关签证不再有效，才可以正式提交。
You cannot submit a DASP application while still in Australia. The relevant visa must also have ceased to be in effect. If you are still in Australia or have an active visa, the ATO online system may let you start and save information, but you cannot submit the application until you become eligible.
For a straightforward case, the ATO DASP Online Application System is usually the simplest method. It can identify super accounts held by funds or the ATO, although you should check whether all accounts appear.
What information should I prepare?
Having consistent identity and fund details ready can reduce avoidable delays. Prepare:
- your name, date of birth and other personal details;
- an email address you can continue accessing after departure;
- passport country and passport number;
- your Australian tax file number (TFN), if available;
- the name and details of each super fund;
- the super fund’s Australian business number (ABN), if required; and
- your member or account number, if available.
A TFN is not mandatory in the ATO online application. However, providing it when available can assist with identity matching and locating accounts. Enter personal details exactly and consistently each time you access a saved application.
How long does DASP usually take?
The online application itself may take around 30 minutes to complete. The ATO states a normal DASP service standard of around 28 days after a completed application is lodged and the fund or ATO has the information it requires. This is a service standard, not a guaranteed payment date; identity checks, missing documents, multiple funds or other circumstances can take longer.
The online system lets you view an application but does not show detailed processing progress. If your money is held by a super fund and payment has not arrived after the service-standard period, contact that fund directly. Contact the ATO regarding ATO-held super.
How is DASP taxed?
DASP tax is withheld by the payer when payment is made. Under the current ordinary DASP rates for non-Working Holiday Maker cases, the rates applying to each payment component are:
| Payment component | Ordinary DASP rate |
|---|---|
| Tax-free component | 0% |
| Taxable component – taxed element | 35% |
| Taxable component – untaxed element | 45% |
These percentages apply to the relevant components—not automatically to the total balance as one amount. You should not simply assume you will receive 65% of your total super balance. Your DASP payment summary should show the components, tax withheld and net payment.
Have you ever held a Working Holiday Maker visa?
If you have ever held a Working Holiday Maker visa, you should check the WHM DASP tax treatment carefully because a different rate may apply. This includes a Working Holiday visa (Subclass 417) and Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462).
The current WHM DASP rate for taxable components is 65%; the tax-free component remains 0%. The ATO online system checks visa history with the Department of Home Affairs. Each super fund determines the applicable DASP tax rate for the separate payment it makes, based on the information it holds and the relevant rules.
Merely noting that someone once held a 417 or 462 visa is not enough for this guide to conclude that every dollar of every later DASP payment will always be taxed at 65%. Mixed visa histories and multiple funds require careful review. 请曾持有 417 或 462 签证的人特别留意：不要只按学生签证期间来估算最终税率，应核对 ATO 规则、签证历史和基金决定。
Do I include DASP in my Australian tax return?
DASP tax is generally withheld as final tax when the payment is made. The payment is generally not included as ordinary assessable income in an Australian individual tax return, and the DASP tax withheld is generally not claimed in that return. Retain each DASP payment summary with your records.
If your circumstances are unusual—for example, a payment was classified differently, a visa history is disputed, or you have other Australian obligations—check current ATO guidance. YSE Finance can assist with related matters through our individual tax return support.
Can I apply myself?
Yes. For a straightforward former student or temporary resident case, most people do not need to pay an intermediary simply to submit a DASP application. The ATO provides an online application system for eligible applicants.
YSE Finance does not currently provide a DASP intermediary or super withdrawal service. This guide is provided to help former temporary residents understand the process. If you have related Australian tax questions, such as your final Australian tax return, capital gains, rental income or other tax matters before or after leaving Australia, you are welcome to contact us.
Explore our tax services or bilingual support from a Mandarin tax agent in Sydney. We provide practical tax assistance in English, Mandarin and Cantonese, but do not process DASP applications as an independent withdrawal service.
DASP FAQ
Can a former Subclass 500 student claim super after leaving Australia?
Potentially, yes, if the person accumulated super on an eligible temporary visa, has left Australia, the visa is no longer in effect, and the citizenship and residency exclusions do not apply. Check current ATO eligibility rules.
Can I apply before my student visa expires?
You may start and save information, but you cannot submit while still in Australia or while the relevant visa remains active.
Do I need a TFN to apply for DASP?
No. The TFN field is optional, although supplying it when available may help match your records.
How much DASP tax will be withheld?
Ordinary rates are 0% on the tax-free component, 35% on the taxable taxed element and 45% on the taxable untaxed element. The composition of your payment matters.
What if I previously held a Working Holiday visa?
Check carefully. For Subclass 417 or 462 histories, the 65% WHM rate may apply to taxable components. Each fund determines the applicable rate for its payment under the rules and information it holds.
Do I report DASP in my Australian tax return?
Generally no: it is generally subject to final withholding tax and is not ordinary assessable income. Keep the payment summary and seek advice for unusual circumstances.
How long does a DASP application take?
The form may take around 30 minutes. The normal service standard is around 28 days after all required information is received, but some cases take longer.
Do I need a tax agent to apply for DASP?
Most straightforward applicants can use the ATO online system directly. YSE Finance does not offer a DASP intermediary service.
Need help with your Australian tax return before or after leaving Australia? Contact YSE Finance for practical tax support in English, Mandarin or Cantonese.
Contact YSE Finance