WHV Guide
The complete guide to super for Working Holiday Visa holders — what it is, how to track it, and how to claim it back
Last verified: April 2026 · Sources: Australian Taxation Office, AustralianSuper
The 30-second version
Your employer pays 12% of your wages into a super fund on top of your regular pay — this is your money, not theirs. When you leave Australia permanently and your visa expires, you can claim it back through a DASP (Departing Australia Superannuation Payment). WHMs are taxed at 65% on the withdrawal, so you receive roughly 35% of your balance. On $40,000 of earnings, that's about $4,800 in super and ~$1,680 back in your pocket. Most WHMs leave this money behind. Don't be one of them.
How much could you get back?
| Total earnings | Super accumulated (12%) | DASP payout (~35%) |
|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $2,400 | ~$840 |
| $30,000 | $3,600 | ~$1,260 |
| $40,000 | $4,800 | ~$1,680 |
| $50,000 | $6,000 | ~$2,100 |
| $60,000 (2 years) | $7,200 | ~$2,520 |
Estimates after 65% DASP tax and approximate fund fees. Actual amounts depend on your fund, fees, and employer payment timing. These are conservative estimates — your actual payout may be higher.
Superannuation ("super") is Australia's compulsory retirement savings system. Every employer in Australia must pay 12% of your ordinary time earnings into a super fund on your behalf. This is on top of your wages — it's not deducted from your pay.
As a WHM, you're not retiring in Australia — but the system still applies to you. Your employer pays into super, and you can claim it back when you leave through the DASP system.
Key facts
When you start a job, your employer will ask which super fund you want. If you don't nominate one, they'll use their default fund — or the ATO may "staple" you to a fund from a previous employer. You have the right to choose your own.
Our recommendation for WHMs:
AustralianSuper
Australia's largest fund. Low fees. Simple online account. Straightforward DASP process.
Hostplus
Very popular with hospitality and tourism workers. Low fees. Good for casual workers.
REST
Common in retail. Low fees. Straightforward DASP claim.
The #1 mistake WHMs make with super
Every time you change jobs without nominating the same fund, you end up with a new super account. Multiple accounts = multiple sets of fees eating into your balance. Pick ONE fund and give the same details to every employer. If you already have multiple accounts, consolidate them through myGov.
Don't just trust that it's happening. Verify.
Important: Super is currently paid quarterly — not every pay cycle. So there may be a 1-3 month lag between earning wages and seeing the super contribution in your fund. The quarterly due dates are 28 October, 28 January, 28 April, and 28 July. From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super with every pay run ("Payday Super").
If your employer isn't paying super: This is a legal breach. Report it to the ATO (not Fair Work — the ATO handles super compliance). Call 13 10 20 or report online at ato.gov.au. Your visa won't be affected.
DASP stands for Departing Australia Superannuation Payment. It's the process that lets temporary visa holders withdraw their super after leaving Australia. This is your money — claiming it back is your right.
You can claim a DASP if ALL of the following apply:
You cannot apply while still in Australia or while your visa is still active. The ATO will reject your application.
Working Holiday Makers are taxed at 65% on the taxable component of their DASP. This means you receive approximately 35% of your super balance. It's a flat withholding rate — there's no way to reduce it, and it's not refundable through a tax return.
For comparison, non-WHM temporary visa holders pay only 35%. The higher WHM rate was introduced in 2017 as part of the "backpacker tax" reforms and remains controversial.
Before you leave Australia
Consolidate your super into one fund via myGov if you have multiple accounts. Confirm your fund name, ABN, and member number. Keep your Australian bank account open.
Leave Australia and wait for your visa to expire
You can't apply until your visa has expired or been cancelled and you've left the country. Your visa expiry date is on your grant notice.
Apply online through the ATO
Go to the ATO's DASP online system. You'll need your passport details, visa information, TFN, super fund details, and bank account for payment.
Wait for processing
The ATO processes DASP claims within approximately 28 days. Payment goes to your nominated bank account — Australian or overseas.
Receive your payment summary
Your fund or the ATO will issue a DASP payment summary showing the gross amount, tax withheld, and net payout. Keep this for your records.
If your super balance exceeds $5,000, you'll need to provide certified copies of your ID (passport, visa evidence). Get documents certified before you leave Australia — it's harder and more expensive to do overseas. A Justice of the Peace (free at most courthouses and some pharmacies) or a solicitor can certify copies.
If you don't claim within 6 months of your visa expiring, your super fund is required to transfer your balance to the ATO as unclaimed super. You can still claim it, but the process takes longer. Meanwhile, fund fees may have eaten into the balance before it was transferred. Claim as soon as you're eligible.
Your DASP is separate from your income tax refund. When you leave Australia, you may also be owed a tax refund if:
Many WHMs are owed both a DASP and a tax refund. The combined amount can be $2,000–$5,000+ depending on your earnings. Lodge your tax return through myGov (free) or use a specialist.
A WHM working in Australia for 10 months, earning $35,000:
| Total wages earned | $35,000 | |
| Tax paid (15%) | $5,250 | |
| Take-home pay | $29,750 | |
| Super contributions (12%) | $4,200 | Paid by employer on top of wages |
| When you leave: | ||
| DASP payout (~35% of ~$4,000 after fees) | ~$1,400 | |
| Tax refund (if any overpayment) | $0–$500 | |
| Total money back | ~$1,400–$1,900 | |
That's $1,400–$1,900 that most WHMs leave on the table. For context, that's a return flight home, a month's accommodation, or a solid start to your savings when you get back.
"My employer says super doesn't apply to casuals / WHMs / people earning under $X"
Wrong. Since 1 July 2022, ALL employees are entitled to super regardless of how much they earn. There is no minimum earnings threshold. Casuals get super. WHMs get super. Part-timers get super. If your employer says otherwise, they're either misinformed or trying to avoid their obligations.
Can I claim DASP if I'm coming back to Australia on a new visa?
Yes — but think carefully. Once you claim DASP, that super is gone. If you return on a new WHM visa, your new employers will pay into super again and you can claim a new DASP when you leave for good. If you return on a skilled work visa, your new super will be taxed at the lower 35% DASP rate — so you might want to keep it.
I worked for an employer who paid cash and didn't pay super. Can I do anything?
Yes. Report the employer to the ATO. They investigate unpaid super and can compel the employer to pay what they owe — plus penalties. You can report even after you've left Australia. Call +61 2 6216 1111 (overseas) or 13 10 20 (within Australia).
I have super from a previous trip years ago. Can I still claim it?
Yes. There's no time limit on claiming DASP. Your fund may have transferred the balance to the ATO as unclaimed super, but you can still claim it through the ATO's DASP online system using your TFN.
I lost all my super fund details and don't know which fund I'm with
Log into myGov, link your ATO account, and go to Super. It will show all super accounts linked to your TFN. If you can't access myGov, call the ATO or use a tax agent who can search on your behalf.
Should I claim DASP myself or use a service?
If you're organised and have your documents, do it yourself — it's free through the ATO online system. If you've lost track of accounts, have multiple funds, or find the process overwhelming from overseas, a tax agent can help. Be aware they charge a fee (typically 10–20% of your refund).
My super balance seems too low — did my employer actually pay?
Check your payslips and cross-reference with your super fund's transaction history. Remember super is paid quarterly, so there may be a lag. If contributions are genuinely missing, report it to the ATO immediately.
| Super rate | 12% of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2025) |
| Who pays it | Your employer — ON TOP of your wages |
| DASP eligibility | Left Australia, visa expired/cancelled, not a citizen/PR |
| DASP tax rate (WHM) | 65% on taxable component |
| You receive | ~35% of your super balance |
| How to apply | ATO DASP online system (ato.gov.au) |
| Processing time | ~28 days from complete application |
| Can you claim from overseas? | Yes — that's the normal process |
| Time limit to claim | None — but claim within 6 months to avoid ATO transfer |
| Average WHM DASP payout | ~$1,200–$1,900 |
| ATO super enquiries (in Australia) | 13 10 20 |
| ATO super enquiries (overseas) | +61 2 6216 1111 |
| Recommended low-fee funds | AustralianSuper, Hostplus, REST |
| Payday Super (from July 2026) | Employers must pay super with every pay run |
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Build your free plan →This guide is for general information only and should not be taken as financial or tax advice. Superannuation rules change regularly — always confirm current information with the ATO or your super fund. We may earn a commission if you use services recommended through our links — this doesn't affect our recommendations. Sources: Australian Taxation Office, AustralianSuper, Hostplus, Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992. Last verified April 2026.