Can Working Holiday Makers Claim Their Superannuation Back? (DASP Refund Guide 2025–2026)
If you worked in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa (417 or 462), you might be able to get your superannuation money back when you leave the country. Many backpackers don’t know this, and millions of dollars in unclaimed super are left behind each year.
Australia’s superannuation system aims to help workers save for retirement. However, Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) are not permanent residents. The ATO allows you to take your super with you when you leave. This refund is called the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP).
This guide explains how it works, how much you can get back, and how AMA Accountants can help you receive your refund quickly and safely.
1. What Is Superannuation for Working Holiday Makers?
Superannuation (super) is a mandatory retirement savings system in Australia. The law requires employers to pay money into a super fund for most workers, including WHMs. According to the ATO, the Superannuation Guarantee rate for 2025 is 11%. This means:
If you earned $1,000 in wages, your employer must pay $110 into your super fund. This money belongs to you, even if you are on a temporary visa.
2. Can Working Holiday Makers Claim Their Super Back?
Yes.
The ATO clearly states that people on WHM visas can claim their super when they permanently leave Australia and their visa has expired or been cancelled.
To qualify for DASP, you must:
– have worked in Australia
– have a valid super fund account
– have left Australia permanently
– have a WHM visa (417 or 462) that is no longer active
Once these conditions are met, you can apply for the refund.
3. How Much Super Can You Get Back?
This depends on how long you worked and how much you earned. Here’s an example:
You worked for 6 months. You earned $30,000.
Your employer paid 11% super, which equals $3,300.
However, working holiday makers do not get the full amount back because the ATO applies a DASP tax rate of 65% (ATO DASP WHM rate). This means:
$3,300 super
– 65% tax ($2,145)
= $1,155 refunded.
Most backpackers receive between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on their work history.
4. Why Is the Tax Rate So High?
The Australian Government introduced the higher tax rate for Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) on 1 July 2017. It applies only to Working Holiday Maker visas.
The ATO states:
DASP tax rate for WHMs = 65%
DASP tax rate for other temporary visas = 35%
This rate is fixed under Australian law.
5. How to Claim Your DASP Refund (Step-by-Step)
The ATO allows you to apply online, even if you are already overseas. Here is the simple process:
Step 1: Your WHM visa must have ended. You can check this in your VEVO records.
Step 2: You must have left Australia. You cannot apply while still in the country.
Step 3: Collect your documents. You will need:
– passport
– Tax File Number (TFN)
– super fund details
– copy of your super member number
– previous address in Australia
If you don’t know your super fund, a tax agent can find it using your TFN.
Step 4: Apply through the ATO DASP system. This is the official and safest way to apply.
Step 5: Wait for processing. Most DASP claims take 1 to 4 weeks, depending on:
– your super fund
– missing documents
– identity verification
AMA Accountants can help speed up the process and ensure everything is correct.
6. What If You Worked for Multiple Employers?
This is common for WHMs. Each employer may have paid into different super funds, different accounts, and inactive or lost accounts. A tax agent can search all super funds linked to your TFN and combine the results into one DASP claim.
7. What If You Lost Your Super Details?
Many backpackers lose their login details, account numbers, and paperwork. This is not a problem. The ATO allows tax agents to find your super using your TFN and date of birth. AMA Accountants can locate lost super, inactive super, and multiple accounts. This helps improve your refund.
8. What If You Left Australia Years Ago?
You can still claim your super. The ATO keeps your DASP money until you apply. There is no expiry date. However, if your super fund sends your money to the ATO as unclaimed super, the process might take longer. A tax agent can manage this situation.
9. Why Use a Professional Service Instead of Doing It Yourself?
While the ATO system is straightforward, many WHMs struggle with missing TFN, forgotten super accounts, old email addresses, identity checks, lost passwords, wrong bank details, and visa status errors.
A small mistake can delay your refund by months.
AMA Accountants help WHMs find all super funds, calculate your refund, lodge your DASP claim, fix ATO identity issues, speed up processing, and safely receive money overseas.
Most WHMs receive their refund faster and with fewer problems using a tax agent.
10. Final Advice for WHMs
If you worked anywhere in Australia, like a farm, café, hotel, warehouse, meat factory, construction site, or in hospitality, you likely have super money waiting for you.
Don’t leave it behind.
AMA Accountants can help you:
– find all your super accounts
– lodge your DASP refund
– claim your tax refund too
– get your money safely even if you are overseas
Lodge Your WHM Tax Return with AMA Accountants Today
Don’t let the ATO keep more of your money than they should. At AMA Accountants, we make Working Holiday Maker tax returns in Australia simple, fast, and stress-free. Whether you’re still in Australia or already back home, our expert team will help you lodge online, claim every deduction, and get your maximum refund.
Book your WHM tax return consultation today with AMA Accountants – your trusted partner for backpacker tax refunds in Australia.
📞 Phone: +61 (0)420 529 890
📧 Email: finance@amaaccountant.com.au
