{"id":"a-1950-15","name":"Unclaimed Money Act 1950","slug":"unclaimed-money-act-1950","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"15 of 1950","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":23261,"registerId":"act-a-1950-15-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Unclaimed Money Act 1950","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nA1950-15\nRepublication No 19\nEffective: 5 January 2026\nRepublication date: 5 January 2026\nLast amendment made by A2025-29\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Unclaimed Money Act 1950 (including any amendment made under\nthe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 5 January 2026. It also\nincludes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to\n5 January 2026.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication includes amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol M appears\nimmediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying provision appears in the\nendnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation Act 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of Act 2\n2 Dictionary 2\n2A Notes 2\n3 Declaration of corresponding law 2\nPart 2 Unclaimed assets in hands of liquidators\n4 Unclaimed assets in hands of liquidator 3\nPart 3 Unclaimed amounts payable by companies\n6 Application—pt 3 5\n7 Register of unclaimed amounts to be kept 5\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n8 Notice of particulars of register to be given to public trustee and\nguardian 6\n9 Failure to compile and publish register 6\n10 Payment of unclaimed amounts to public trustee and guardian 7\n11 Failure to pay unclaimed amounts 7\n15 Pt 3 does not apply to certain unclaimed amounts 8\nPart 5 Payment of unclaimed amounts to claimants\n26 Meaning of unclaimed money—pt 5 9\n27 Who may apply for unclaimed money 9\n28 Representatives of people claiming unclaimed money 10\n29 Decision about application for payment of unclaimed money 10\n30 Reviewable decision notice 11\n31 Review by ACAT 11\nPart 6 Miscellaneous\n33A Unclaimed money register 12\n34 Determination of fees 12\n35 Approved forms 13\nDictionary 14\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 16\n2 Abbreviation key 16\n3 Legislation history 17\n4 Amendment history 22\n5 Earlier republications 29\n\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nAn Act relating to unclaimed assets in the hands of liquidators of companies,\nunclaimed amounts held by companies, unclaimed superannuation benefits and\nunclaimed amounts held in retirement savings accounts\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nSection 1\npage 2 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of Act\nThis Act is the Unclaimed Money Act 1950.\n2 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this\nAct, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other terms defined\nelsewhere in this Act.\nFor example, the signpost definition ‘unclaimed amount, for part 3\n(Unclaimed amounts payable by companies)—see section 6 (2).’ means\nthat the term ‘unclaimed amount’ is defined in that section for part 3.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to\nthe entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act,\nprovides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see\nLegislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).\n2A Notes\nA note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.\nNote See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.\n3 Declaration of corresponding law\n(1) The Minister may declare that a law of a State or another Territory is\na law that corresponds with this Act.\n(2) A declaration is a notifiable instrument.\n\nUnclaimed assets in hands of liquidators Part 2\nSection 4\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2 Unclaimed assets in hands of\nliquidators\n4 Unclaimed assets in hands of liquidator\n(1) A liquidator of a company who—\n(a) has in his or her hands or under his or her control any amount\n(including a dividend) that has remained unclaimed for longer\nthan 6 months from when the amount became payable; or\n(b) after making a final distribution, has in his or her hands or under\nhis or her control any unclaimed or undistributed amount arising\nfrom the property of the company;\nmust pay that amount to the public trustee and guardian.\n(2) The Supreme Court may, at any time, on the application of the public\ntrustee and guardian, by order, direct a liquidator to submit to the\ncourt an account of any unclaimed or undistributed amounts in his or\nher hands.\n(3) If the Supreme Court makes an order under subsection (2), it may, by\nits order, give directions about—\n(a) the verification of the account; and\n(b) the auditing of the account; and\n(c) the payment by the liquidator to the public trustee and guardian\nof unclaimed or undistributed amounts.\n(4) A liquidator who makes a payment to the public trustee and guardian\nin accordance with subsection (1) or in accordance with an order\nunder subsection (2) must give the public trustee and guardian\nparticulars of—\n(a) the amount paid; and\n(b) the name of the company concerned; and\n\nPart 2 Unclaimed assets in hands of liquidators\nSection 4\npage 4 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(c) the name of the person who appears, from the records of the\ncompany, to be entitled to the amount to which the payment\nrelates.\n(5) If a liquidator pays an amount to the public trustee and guardian in\naccordance with subsection (1) or in accordance with an order made\nunder subsection (2), the liquidator is discharged from liability to\nanyone in relation to the amount.\n\nUnclaimed amounts payable by companies Part 3\nSection 6\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Unclaimed amounts payable by\ncompanies\n6 Application—pt 3\n(1) This part applies to an amount payable by a company—\n(a) to a person in his or her capacity as a member of the company;\nor\n(b) in relation to deposits with, or securities of, the company.\n(2) For this part, an amount to which this part applies is an unclaimed\namount if—\n(a) at least 6 years have elapsed since the day the amount became\npayable; and\n(b) during the 6-year period, the company did not receive a request\nfrom a person entitled to the amount that the amount be paid to\nthe person or someone else.\n7 Register of unclaimed amounts to be kept\n(1) If, in a year, any amounts payable by a company have become\nunclaimed amounts, the company must, not later than 31 January in\nthe next year, enter particulars of the amounts in an alphabetical\nregister kept for the year by the company at its head or principal office\nin the ACT.\n(2) The company must, on payment or tender of a fee of 20 cents, allow\nanyone to inspect, at that head or principal office during the hours\nwhen the company transacts its ordinary business, all registers kept\nby the company under this section.\n(3) If a company pays an amount entered in a register kept by the\ncompany under this section to the person entitled to the amount, the\ncompany may delete from the register the entry relating to the\namount.\n\nPart 3 Unclaimed amounts payable by companies\nSection 8\npage 6 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n8 Notice of particulars of register to be given to public\ntrustee and guardian\n(1) This section applies if, under section 7 (1), particulars of unclaimed\namounts have been entered in a register kept by a company for a year.\n(2) The company must prepare a written notice setting out the particulars\nentered in the register for the year.\n(3) Not later than 31 March in the next year, the company must—\n(a) give the notice, verified by a statement made by an officer of the\ncompany, to the public trustee and guardian; and\n(b) give public notice—\n(i) stating that it holds unclaimed amounts for the previous\nyear; and\n(ii) explaining how people can find out details of the amounts\nand claim them.\nNote 1 Public notice means notice on an ACT government website or in a daily\nnewspaper circulating in the ACT (see Legislation Act, dict, pt 1).\nNote 2 It is an offence to make a false or misleading statement, give false or\nmisleading information or produce a false or misleading document (see\nCriminal Code, pt 3.4).\n9 Failure to compile and publish register\n(1) A company must not fail to comply with any of the provisions of\nsection 7 or section 8.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence arising out of a failure\nto comply with section 7 (1) that, in relation to the amount in question,\nthe defendant complied with a corresponding law that applied in\nrelation to the amount.\n\nUnclaimed amounts payable by companies Part 3\nSection 10\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence arising out of a failure\nto comply with section 8 that, in relation to the register in question,\nthe defendant complied with a corresponding law that applied in\nrelation to the register.\n10 Payment of unclaimed amounts to public trustee and\nguardian\n(1) This section applies if—\n(a) particulars of an unclaimed amount have been entered in a\nregister kept by a company under section 7 (Register of\nunclaimed amounts to be kept); and\n(b) the amount has not been paid by the company to the person\nentitled to it within 1 year after the day the company gave the\nnotice to the public trustee and guardian under section 8 (3) (a)\nthat included particulars of the amount.\n(2) The company must pay the amount to the public trustee and guardian\nnot later than 1 month after the end of the 1-year period.\n(3) On payment of the amount to the public trustee and guardian, the\ncompany is relieved from all further liability for the amount.\n11 Failure to pay unclaimed amounts\n(1) A company must not fail to pay any amount to the public trustee and\nguardian as required by this part.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1)\nthat, in relation to the amount in question, the defendant complied\nwith the requirements of a corresponding law that applied in relation\nto the amount.\n\nPart 3 Unclaimed amounts payable by companies\nSection 15\npage 8 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n15 Pt 3 does not apply to certain unclaimed amounts\nThis part does not apply to an amount that is required by a law in\nforce in the ACT to be dealt with in a way different from the way\nprovided by this part.\n\nPayment of unclaimed amounts to claimants Part 5\nSection 26\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 5 Payment of unclaimed amounts\nto claimants\n26 Meaning of unclaimed money—pt 5\nIn this part:\nunclaimed money means money paid to the public trustee and\nguardian under any of the following provisions:\n(a) section 4 (Unclaimed assets in hands of liquidator);\n(b) section 10 (Payment of unclaimed amounts to public trustee and\nguardian);\n(c) the Agents Act 2003, section 124 (Payment of unclaimed money\nto public trustee and guardian);\n(d) the Co-operatives National Law (ACT), section 436 (3) (b) (ii)\n(Disposal of consideration for shares compulsorily acquired);\nNote The Co-operatives National Law (ACT), s 436 (3) (b) (ii) is\naffected by the Co-operatives National Law (ACT) Act 2017, s 14.\n(e) the Legal Profession Act 2006, section 259 (Unclaimed trust\nmoney).\n27 Who may apply for unclaimed money\n(1) A person who claims to be entitled to an amount of unclaimed money\nmay apply to the public trustee and guardian for payment of the\namount.\n(2) The public trustee and guardian may, in writing, require the applicant\nto give the public trustee and guardian more information or\ndocuments that the public trustee and guardian reasonably needs to\ndecide the application.\nExamples—information or documents\n1 birth certificate, citizenship certificate, driver licence or other proof of\nidentification\n\nPart 5 Payment of unclaimed amounts to claimants\nSection 28\npage 10 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n2 rates notice, electricity bill or other proof of place of residence\n3 evidence of entitlement to amount claimed\n(3) If the applicant does not comply with a requirement under\nsubsection (2), the public trustee and guardian may refuse to consider\nthe application.\n28 Representatives of people claiming unclaimed money\n(1) The following people may apply under section 27 on behalf of a\nperson claiming to be entitled to an amount of unclaimed money:\n(a) an agent of the person;\n(b) if the person has died—a legal representative of the person.\n(2) In this section:\nlegal representative, of a person who has died, means a person—\n(a) holding office as executor of the will of the deceased person\nwhere probate of the will has been granted or resealed in\nAustralia; or\n(b) holding office in Australia as administrator of the estate of the\ndeceased person.\n29 Decision about application for payment of unclaimed\nmoney\nOn application by a person under section 27, the public trustee and\nguardian must—\n(a) decide to pay the unclaimed money to the person claimed to be\nentitled to the money; or\n(b) refuse to pay the unclaimed money.\n\nPayment of unclaimed amounts to claimants Part 5\nSection 30\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n30 Reviewable decision notice\nIf the public trustee and guardian makes a decision under section 29,\nthe public trustee and guardian must give a reviewable decision notice\nto the applicant in relation to the decision.\nNote The public trustee and guardian must also take reasonable steps to give a\nreviewable decision notice to any other person whose interests are\naffected by the decision (see ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal\nAct 2008, s 67A).\n31 Review by ACAT\n(1) The following people may apply to the ACAT for review of a decision\nunder section 29:\n(a) the applicant in relation to the decision;\n(b) any other person whose interests are affected by the decision.\n(2) The public trustee and guardian must give notice of a decision to each\nperson whose interests are affected by the decision.\n(3) The notice must be in accordance with a reviewable decision notice.\n\nPart 6 Miscellaneous\nSection 33A\npage 12 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 6 Miscellaneous\n33A Unclaimed money register\n(1) The public trustee and guardian may keep a register of unclaimed\nmoney that is paid to the public trustee and guardian under—\n(a) this Act; or\n(b) the Legal Profession Act 2006, section 259; or\n(c) the Agents Act 2003, section 124.\n(2) The register may include the name of the owner of the money and any\nother information the public trustee and guardian considers\nappropriate.\n(3) The register may be kept in any form, including electronically, that\nthe public trustee and guardian decides.\n(4) The register may be kept in 1 or more parts, as the public trustee and\nguardian considers appropriate.\n(5) The public trustee and guardian must make information in the register\navailable so that a person who is entitled to make a claim for\nunclaimed money can find out about the entitlement.\n(6) The public trustee and guardian may decide how the information in\nthe register is made available.\n34 Determination of fees\n(1) The Minister may, in writing, determine fees for this Act.\n(2) A determination is a disallowable instrument.\n\nMiscellaneous Part 6\nSection 35\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n35 Approved forms\n(1) The Minister may, in writing, approve forms for this Act.\n(2) If the Minister approves a form for a particular purpose, the approved\nform must be used for that purpose.\n(3) An approved form is a notifiable instrument.\n\nDictionary\npage 14 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 2)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis Act.\nNote 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:\n• ACT\n• Commonwealth\n• Corporations Act\n• individual\n• Minister\n• property\n• public trustee and guardian\n• reviewable decision notice\n• Territory.\ncompany means—\n(a) for part 2 (Unclaimed assets in hands of liquidators)—\n(i) a body corporate that is a foreign company within the\nmeaning of the Corporations Act, section 9; or\n(ii) a body registered under the Co-operatives National Law\n(ACT); or\n(iii) an association incorporated under the Associations\nIncorporation Act 1991; and\n(b) for any other provision of the Act—\n(i) an entity mentioned in paragraph (a); and\n(ii) a body corporate that is a company within the meaning of\nthe Corporations Act, section 9.\ncorresponding law means a law of a State or another Territory\ndeclared under section 3 (Declaration of corresponding law) to be a\nlaw that corresponds with this Act.\n\nDictionary\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\ndata processing device means any article or material (including a\ndisk) from which information can be reproduced with or without the\naid of any other article or device.\nhalf year means a period of 6 months ending on 30 June or\n31 December.\nregistered office—see the Corporations Act, section 9.\nunclaimed amount, for part 3 (Unclaimed amounts payable by\ncompanies)—see section 6 (2).\nunclaimed money, for part 5—see section 26.\n\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\npage 16 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nThis Act was originally a Commonwealth ordinance—Unclaimed Moneys\nOrdinance 1950 No 15 (Cwlth).\nThe Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cwlth), s 34 (4)\nconverted most former Commonwealth ordinances in force in the ACT into ACT\nenactments. This allowed the ACT Legislative Assembly to amend and repeal the\nlaws. This Act was converted into an ACT enactment on 11 May 1989\n(self-government day).\nAs with most ordinances in force in the ACT, the name was changed from\nOrdinance to Act by the Self-Government (Citation of Laws) Act 1989 A1989-21,\ns 5 on 11 May 1989 (self-government day).\nIt was renamed as the Unclaimed Money Act 1950 by the Justice and Community\nSafety Legislation Amendment Act 2005 (No 4) A2005-60 (see amdt 1.145).\nBefore 11 May 1989, ordinances commenced on their notification day unless\notherwise stated (see Seat of Government (Administration) Act 1910 (Cwlth), s 12).\nLegislation before becoming Territory enactment\nUnclaimed Money Act A1950-15\nnotified 21 December 1950 (Cwlth Gaz 1950 No 81)\ncommenced 21 December 1950\nas amended by\nCompanies Ordinance 1954 Ord1954-14 sch 5\nnotified 20 August 1954 (Cwlth Gaz 1954 No 52)\ncommenced 1 October 1954 (s 2)\nCompanies Ordinance 1962 Ord1962-7 sch 1 pt 2\nnotified 21 June 1962 (Cwlth Gaz 1962 No 49)\ncommenced 1 July 1962 (s 2)\nOrdinances Revision (Decimal Currency) Ordinance 1966 Ord1966-19\n(as am by Ord1967-36)\nnotified 23 December 1966 (Cwlth Gaz 1966 No 109)\ncommenced 23 December 1966\nUnclaimed Moneys Ordinance 1974 Ord1974-18\nnotified 30 April 1974 (Cwlth Gaz 1974 No 36)\ncommenced 30 April 1974\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 18 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nUnclaimed Moneys Ordinance (No 2) 1974 Ord1974-57\nnotified 31 December 1974 (Cwlth Gaz 1974 No 103G)\ncommenced 31 December 1974\nUnclaimed Moneys (Amendment) Ordinance 1976 Ord1976-64\nnotified 7 December 1976 (Cwlth Gaz 1976 No S222)\ncommenced 7 December 1976\nOrdinances Revision Ordinance 1977 Ord1977-65\nnotified 22 December 1977 (Cwlth Gaz 1977 No S294)\ncommenced 22 December 1977\nUnclaimed Moneys (Amendment) Ordinance 1978 Ord1978-49\nnotified 28 December 1978 (Cwlth Gaz 1978 No S292)\ncommenced 28 December 1978\nOrdinances Revision (Companies Amendments) Ordinance 1982\nOrd1982-38 s 32 and sch 4\nnotified 30 June 1982 (Cwlth Gaz 1982 No S139)\ncommenced 1 July 1982 (s 2)\nUnclaimed Moneys (Amendment) Ordinance 1982 Ord1982-51\nnotified 9 July 1982 (Cwlth Gaz 1982 No S149)\ncommenced 9 July 1982\nUnclaimed Moneys (Amendment) Ordinance 1984 Ord1984-57\nnotified 26 October 1984 (Cwlth Gaz 1984 No S441)\ncommenced 26 October 1984\nAdministrative Arrangements (Consequential Amendments)\nOrdinance 1988 Ord1988-17\nnotified 22 April 1988 (Cwlth Gaz 1988 No S114)\ncommenced 22 April 1988\nSelf-Government (Consequential Amendments) Ordinance 1989\nOrd1989-38 sch 1\nnotified 10 May 1989 (Cwlth Gaz 1989 No S160)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 10 May 1989 (s 2 (1))\nremainder commenced 11 May 1989 (s 2 (2) and Cwlth Gaz 1989\nNo S164)\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nLegislation after becoming Territory enactment\nUnclaimed Moneys (Amendment) Act 1990 A1990-28\nnotified 24 August 1990 (Gaz 1990 No S57)\nss 1-3 commenced 24 August 1990 (s 2 (1))\nremainder commenced 3 September 1990 (s 2 (2))\nRegistrar-General (Consequential Provisions) Act 1993 A1993-64\nsch 1\nnotified 6 September 1993 (Gaz 1993 No S172)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 September 1993 (s 2 (1))\nsch 1 commenced 1 October 1993 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1993 No S207)\nStatute Law Revision Act 1995 A1995-46 sch\nnotified 18 December 1995 (Gaz 1995 No S306)\ncommenced 18 December 1995 (s 2)\nUnclaimed Moneys (Amendment) Act 1997 A1997-34\nnotified 30 June 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S180)\ncommenced 30 June 1997 (s 2)\nUnclaimed Moneys (Amendment) Act 1998 A1998-1\nnotified 30 April 1998 (Gaz 1998 No S113)\ns 9, s 10 taken to have commenced 30 June 1997 (s 2 (2))\nremainder commenced 30 April 1998 (s 2 (1))\nLegislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 398\nnotified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)\npt 398 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001\nNo S65)\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2002\nA2002-27 pt 16\nnotified LR 9 September 2002\ns 1, s 2 commenced 9 September 2002 (LA s 75)\npt 16 commenced 7 October 2002 (s 2 (2))\nCooperatives Act 2002 A2002-45 amdt 6.8\nnotified LR 5 December 2002\ns 1, s 2 commenced 5 December 2002 (LA s 75 (1))\namdt 6.8 commenced 5 June 2003 (s 2 and LA s 79)\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 20 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2003\nA2003-2 pt 19\nnotified LR 3 March 2003\ns 1, s 2 commenced 3 March 2003 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 19 commenced 31 March 2003 (s 2 (2))\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2005\n(No 4) A2005-60 sch 1 pt 1.27\nnotified LR 1 December 2005\ns 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 23 November 2005 (LA s 75 (2))\nsch 1 pt 1.27 commenced 22 December 2005 (s 2 (4))\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2010\n(No 4) A2010-50 sch 1 pt 1.11\nnotified LR 14 December 2010\ns 1, s 2 commenced 14 December 2010 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.11 commenced 21 December 2010 (s 2 (1))\nAdministrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments)\nAct 2011 A2011-22 sch 1 pt 1.159\nnotified LR 30 June 2011\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 2011 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.159 commenced 1 July 2011 (s 2 (1))\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2012\nA2012-13 sch 1 pt 1.10\nnotified LR 11 April 2012\ns 1, s 2 commenced 11 April 2012 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.10 commenced 12 April 2012 (s 2 (1))\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2013\n(No 2) A2013-11 sch 1 pt 1.8\nnotified LR 28 March 2013\ns 1, s 2 commenced 28 March 2013 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.8 commenced 4 April 2013 (s 2)\nRed Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2015 A2015-33\nsch 1 pt 1.66\nnotified LR 30 September 2015\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 September 2015 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.66 commenced 14 October 2015 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 21\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nProtection of Rights (Services) Legislation Amendment Act 2016\n(No 2) A2016-13 sch 1 pt 1.38\nnotified LR 16 March 2016\ns 1, s 2 commenced 16 March 2016 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.38 commenced 1 April 2016 (s 2 and see Protection of\nRights (Services) Legislation Amendment Act 2016 A2016-1 s 2)\nRed Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2016 A2016-18\nsch 3 pt 3.45\nnotified LR 13 April 2016\ns 1, s 2 commenced 13 April 2016 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.45 commenced 27 April 2016 (s 2)\nPublic Sector Management Amendment Act 2016 A2016-52 sch 1\npt 1.62\nnotified LR 25 August 2016\ns 1, s 2 commenced 25 August 2016 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.62 commenced 1 September 2016 (s 2)\nCo-operatives National Law (ACT) Act 2017 A2017-8 sch 2 pt 2.6\nnotified LR 4 April 2017\ns 1, s 2 commenced 4 April 2017 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 2 pt 2.6 commenced 1 May 2017 (s 2)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2018 A2018-42 sch 3 pt 3.35\nnotified LR 8 November 2018\ns 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 1 July 2018 (LA s 75 (2))\nsch 3 pt 3.35 commenced 22 November 2018 (s 2 (1))\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 4 pt 4.179\nnotified LR 6 November 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 4 pt 4.179 commenced 5 January 2026 (s 2 (8))\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 22 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nTitle\ntitle sub A1998-1 s 4\nam A2005-60 amdt 1.144\nName of Act\ns 1 am Ord1974-18\nsub A2005-60 amdt 1.145\nDictionary\ns 2 orig s 2 om Ord1977-65\n(prev s 3) am Ord1954-14 sch 4\nsub Ord1962-7 sch 1 pt 2; Ord1974-18 s 2\nam Ord1984-57 s 3\nrenum A2001-44 amdt 1.4121\ndefs reloc to dict A2005-60 amdt 1.148\nsub A2005-60 amdt 1.149\nam A2010-50 amdt 1.46\ndef Registrar ins A1990-28 s 4\nom A1993-64 sch 1\nNotes\ns 2A ins A2005-60 amdt 1.149\nDeclaration of corresponding law\ns 3 orig s 3 renum as s 2 A2001-44 amdt 1.4121\nins A2001-44 amdt 1.4122\nam A2025-29 amdt 4.181\nRegistrar\ns 3AA ins A1990-28 s 5\nom A1993-64 sch 1\nSeal of office\ns 3AB ins A1990-28 s 5\nom A1993-64 sch 1\nDelegation by the Treasurer\ns 3A ins Ord1974-18 s 2\nam Ord1974-57 s 2; Ord1982-51 s 2; Ord1988-17 sch 2;\nOrd1989-38 sch 1\nom A2003-2 s 86\nUnclaimed assets in hands of liquidator\ns 4 sub Ord1974-18 s 3\nam Ord1976-64; Ord1978-49; Ord1982-38 sch 4; Ord1982-51\ns 2; Ord1984-57 s 4; Ord1989-38 sch 1; A1990-28 s 6;\nA1993-64 sch 1; A2002-27 s 78; A2005-60 amdt 1.150,\namdt 1.151; A2013-11 amdt 1.17; A2016-13 amdt 1.144\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPayments to people entitled\ns 5 am Ord1974-18 s 4; Ord1982-51 s 2; Ord1984-57 s 5;\nOrd1988-17 sch 2; Ord1989-38 sch 1; A2005-60\namdts 1.152-1.155\nom A2013-11 amdt 1.18\nMeaning of company in pt 2\ns 5A hdg ins A1990-28 notes\ns 5A ins Ord1982-38 s 32\nam A1995-46 sch\nom A2005-60 amdt 1.156\nUnclaimed amounts payable by companies\npt 3 hdg sub A2005-60 amdt 1.157\nApplication—pt 3\ns 6 sub Ord1974-18 s 5\nam A2005-60 amdt 1.158, amdt 1.159\nRegister of unclaimed amounts to be kept\ns 7 hdg sub A2005-60 amdt 1.160\ns 7 am Ord1966-19 (as am by Ord1967-36); A2001-44\namdt 1.4123, amdt 1.4124; A2005-60 amdt 1.161,\namdt 1.162; A2025-29 amdt 4.181\nNotice of particulars of register to be given to public trustee and guardian\ns 8 hdg am A2016-13 amdt 1.144\ns 8 am Ord1982-51 s 2\nsub Ord1984-57 s 6\nam A1990-28 s 6; A1993-64 sch 1\nsub A2001-44 amdt 1.4125\nam A2002-27 s 79\nsub A2005-60 amdt 1.163\nam A2015-33 amdt 1.231; A2016-13 amdt 1.144; A2016-18\namdt 3.215, amdt 3.216; A2025-29 amdt 4.181\nFailure to compile and publish register\ns 9 hdg sub A2001-44 amdt 1.4126\ns 9 am Ord1966-19 (as am by Ord1967-36);Ord1974-18 s 6;\nOrd1984-57 s 7; A1998-1 s 6; A2005-60 amdt 1.164,\namdt 1.165\nPayment of unclaimed amounts to public trustee and guardian\ns 10 hdg am A2013-11 amdt 1.19; A2016-13 amdt 1.144\ns 10 am Ord1974-18 s 7; Ord1984-57 s 8; Ord1989-38 sch 1;\nA2001-44 amdt 1.4127\nsub A2005-60 amdt 1.166\nam A2013-11 amdt 1.19; A2016-13 amdt 1.144\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 24 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nFailure to pay unclaimed amounts\ns 11 hdg sub A2005-60 amdt 1.167\ns 11 am Ord1966-19; Ord1974-18 s 8; Ord1984-57 s 9;\nOrd1989-38 sch 1; A1998-1 s 7; A2005-60\namdts 1.168-1.170; A2013-11 amdt 1.19; A2016-13\namdt 1.144\nExamination of accounts etc\ns 12 am Ord1966-19; Ord1982-51 s 2; Ord1984-57 s 10; A1990-28\ns 6; A1993-64 sch 1; A1998-1 s 8; A2002-27 s 80\nom A2005-60 amdt 1.171\nPayment of unclaimed amounts to claimants\ns 13 hdg sub A2005-60 amdt 1.172\ns 13 sub Ord1974-18 s 9\nam Ord1982-51 s 2; Ord1984-57 s 11; Ord1988-17 sch 2;\nOrd1989-38 sch 1; A2005-60 amdts 1.173-1.176\nom A2013-11 amdt 1.20\nRecovery of penalties\ns 14 om A2005-60 amdt 1.177\nPt 3 does not apply to certain unclaimed amounts\ns 15 sub A2005-60 amdt 1.178\nUnclaimed superannuation benefits\npt 4 hdg ins A1997-34 s 4\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\nDefinitions—pt 4\ns 16 ins A1997-34 s 4\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\ndef approved deposit fund ins A1997-34 s 4\nsub A2005-60 amdt 1.179\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\ndef Commonwealth Act ins A1997-34 s 4\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\ndef eligibility age ins A1997-34 s 4\nsub A1998-1 s 9\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\ndef fund ins A1997-34 s 4\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\ndef regulated superannuation fund ins A1997-34 s 4\nsub A2005-60 amdt 1.180\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\ndef unclaimed amount ins A1997-34 s 4\nsub A2005-60 amdt 1.180\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nApplication—pt 4\ns 17 ins A1997-34 s 4\nam A1998-1 s 10; A2005-60 amdt 1.181\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\nUnclaimed amounts for pt 4\ns 18 hdg sub A2005-60 amdt 1.182\ns 18 ins A1997-34 s 4\nam A2005-60 amdt 1.183, amdt 1.184\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\nDeeming age or sex\ns 19 ins A1997-34 s 4\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\nStatement of unclaimed amounts\ns 20 hdg sub A2005-60 amdt 1.185\ns 20 ins A1997-34 s 4\nam A2001-44 amdts 1.4128-1.4130; ss renum R3 LA (see\nA2001-44 amdt 1.4131); A2005-60 amdt 1.186\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\nPayment of unclaimed amounts to Minister\ns 21 hdg sub A2005-60 amdt 1.187\ns 21 ins A1997-34 s 4\nam A1998-1 s 11\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\nDischarge of trustee from liability\ns 22 ins A1997-34 s 4\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\nPayment to person entitled\ns 23 ins A1997-34 s 4\nam A2001-44 amdts 1.4132-1.4134; A2005-60 amdt 1.188\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\nRepayment of excess amounts\ns 24 hdg sub A2005-60 amdt 1.189\ns 24 ins A1997-34 s 4\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\nRegister of amounts received by Minister\ns 25 hdg sub A2005-60 amdt 1.190\ns 25 ins A1997-34 s 4\nam A2005-60 amdt 1.191\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.47\nPayment of unclaimed amounts to claimants\npt 5 hdg ins A1998-1 s 12\nsub A2013-11 amdt 1.21\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 26 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nMeaning of unclaimed money—pt 5\ns 26 ins A1998-1 s 12\nsub A2013-11 amdt 1.21\nam A2016-13 amdt 1.144\ndef Commonwealth Act ins A1998-1 s 12\nom A2013-11 amdt 1.21\ndef holder ins A1998-1 s 12\nsub A2005-60 amdt 1.192\nom A2013-11 amdt 1.21\ndef RSA ins A1998-1 s 12\nsub A2005-60 amdt 1.192\nom A2013-11 amdt 1.21\ndef RSA provider ins A1998-1 s 12\nsub A2005-60 amdt 1.192\nom A2013-11 amdt 1.21\ndef unclaimed money am A2017-8 amdt 2.7; pars renum\nR17 LA\ndef unclaimed RSA money ins A1998-1 s 12\nom A2013-11 amdt 1.21\nWho may apply for unclaimed money\ns 27 ins A1998-1 s 12\nsub A2013-11 amdt 1.21\nam A2016-13 amdt 1.144; A2025-29 amdt 4.181\nRepresentatives of people claiming unclaimed money\ns 28 ins A1998-1 s 12\nam A2001-44 amdts 1.4135-1.4137; ss renum R3 LA (see\nA2001-44 amdt 1.4138)\nsub A2013-11 amdt 1.21\nDecision about application for payment of unclaimed money\ns 29 ins A1998-1 s 12\nsub A2013-11 amdt 1.21\nam A2016-13 amdt 1.144\nReviewable decision notice\ns 30 ins A1998-1 s 12\nsub A2013-11 amdt 1.21\nam A2016-13 amdt 1.144; A2025-29 amdt 4.181\nReview by ACAT\ns 31 ins A1998-1 s 12\nam A2001-44 amdts 1.4139-1.4141\nsub A2013-11 amdt 1.21\nam A2016-13 amdt 1.144; A2025-29 amdt 4.181\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 27\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nRepayment of excess amount\ns 32 ins A1998-1 s 12\nom A2013-11 amdt 1.21\nam A2016-13 amdt 1.144\nRegister of unclaimed RSA money received\ns 33 ins A1998-1 s 12\nom A2013-11 amdt 1.21\nam A2016-13 amdt 1.144\nUnclaimed money register\ns 33A am A2016-13 amdt 1.144\nMiscellaneous\npt 6 hdg ins A2010-50 amdt 1.48\nexp 21 March 2011 (s 37)\nins A2012-13 amdt 1.43\nUnclaimed money register\ns 33A ins A2012-13 amdt 1.43\nDetermination of fees\ns 34 ins A2001-44 amdt 1.4142\nam A2025-29 amdt 4.181\nApproved forms\ns 35 ins A2001-44 amdt 1.4142\nam A2025-29 amdt 4.181\nTransitional—payment of money to the Commissioner of Taxation\ns 36 ins A2010-50 amdt 1.48\nexp 21 March 2011 (s 37)\nExpiry—pt 6\ns 37 ins A2010-50 amdt 1.48\nexp 21 March 2011 (s 37)\nThe Schedules\nhdg om A2001-44 amdt 1.4143\nFirst Schedule\nam A1974-18 s 10\nom A2001-44 amdt 1.4144\nSecond Schedule\nam Ord1974-18 s 11; Ord1984-57 s 12\nom A2001-44 amdt 1.4144\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 28 Unclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\nR19\n05/01/26\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\ndict ins A2005-60 amdt 1.193\nam A2013-11 amdt 1.22; A2016-13 amdt 1.144\ndef approved deposit fund ins A2005-60 amdt 1.193\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.49\ndef Commonwealth Act ins A2005-60 amdt 1.193\nsub A2010-50 amdt 1.50\nom A2013-11 amdt 1.23\ndef company am Ord1982-38 sch 4; Ord1984-57 s 3;\nA1993-64 sch 1; A1995-46 sch; A2002-45 amdt 6.8\nsub A2005-60 amdt 1.146\nreloc from s 2 A2005-60 amdt 1.148\nam A2017-8 amdt 2.8; A2018-42 amdt 3.113\ndef corresponding law am Ord1982-51 s 2; Ord1988-17 sch 2\nsub A2001-44 amdt 1.4120\nreloc from s 2 A2005-60 amdt 1.148\ndef data processing device ins A1998-1 s 5\nreloc from s 2 A2005-60 amdt 1.148\ndef eligibility age ins A2005-60 amdt 1.193\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.51\ndef fund ins A2005-60 amdt 1.193\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.51\ndef half year ins A1998-1 s 5\nreloc from s 2 A2005-60 amdt 1.148\ndef holder ins A2005-60 amdt 1.193\nom A2013-11 amdt 1.23\ndef registered office ins A1998-1 s 5\nsub A2005-60 amdt 1.147\nreloc from s 2 A2005-60 amdt 1.148\ndef regulated superannuation fund ins A2005-60\namdt 1.193\nom A2010-50 amdt 1.51\ndef RSA ins A2005-60 amdt 1.193\nom A2013-11 amdt 1.23\ndef RSA provider ins A2005-60 amdt 1.193\nom A2013-11 amdt 1.23\ndef trust account ins A1998-1 s 5\nreloc from s 2 A2005-60 amdt 1.148\nam A2011-22 amdt 1.447\nom A2016-52 amdt 1.170\ndef unclaimed amount ins A2005-60 amdt 1.193\nsub A2010-50 amdt 1.52\ndef unclaimed money ins A2013-11 amdt 1.24\ndef unclaimed RSA money ins A2005-60 amdt 1.193\nom A2013-11 amdt 1.25\n\nEndnotes\nEarlier republications 5\nR19\n05/01/26\nUnclaimed Money Act 1950\nEffective: 05/01/26\npage 29\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n1 A1990-28 31 May 1991\n2 A1997-34 30 June 1997\n3 A2001-44 24 January 2002\n4 A2002-27 7 October 2002\n5 A2003-2 31 March 2003\n6 A2003-2 5 June 2003\n7 A2005-60 22 December 2005\n8 A2010-50 21 December 2010\n9 A2010-50 22 March 2011\n10 A2011-22 1 July 2001\n11 A2012-13 12 April 2012\n12 A2013-11 4 April 2013\n13 A2015-33 14 October 2015\n14 A2016-13 1 April 2016\n15 A2016-18 27 April 2016\n16 A2016-52 1 September 2016\n17 A2017-8 1 May 2017\n18 A2018-42 22 November 2018\n© Australian Capital Territory 2026","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act has expanded since the original 1950 ordinance from a narrow unclaimed‑moneys regime to a structured statutory system that (a) places duties on liquidators to transfer unclaimed assets to the Public Trustee (s 4); (b) imposes continuing record‑keeping, inspection and notification obligations on companies and prescribes deadlines for payment to the Trustee (s 6–11); and (c) establishes a formal claims process and public register run by the Public Trustee with ACAT review rights for claimants (s 26–31, s 33A). Key additions were made across decades (notably inserts in the 1990s and later amendments setting out Part 3 registers and Part 5 claim processes, and modernisation allowing electronic registers at s 33A). These additions broaden the Act from a simple holding of stray moneys to an administrative scheme allocating custody, operational duties and dispute‑resolution pathways — i.e. the law now both centralises unclaimed funds and prescribes how they are located and reclaimed. Specific provisions expanding scope include s 4, s 7–11, s 26–31 and s 33A, and historical amendment entries in the endnotes (e.g. A1998-1, A2001-44, A2010-50, A2016-13, A2017-8, A2018-42, A2025-29)."},"complexity_factors":["Relatively short overall length (six substantive Parts plus dictionary) but contains multiple discrete timelines (6 months, 6 years, 1 year, 1 month, 31 January, 31 March).","Multiple defined terms that change application by part (e.g. 'company' defined differently for part 2 and elsewhere; 'unclaimed amount' is defined for part 3; 'unclaimed money' defined for part 5).","Cross‑references to other laws and bodies: Corporations Act (for 'company'), Agents Act 2003, Legal Profession Act 2006, Co‑operatives National Law (ACT), ACAT review regime, and ability to recognise a 'corresponding law' (s 3, dictionary, s 26).","Conditional defences and exceptions (e.g. compliance with a corresponding law is a defence to offences under s 9 and s 11).","Administrative discretions: Public Trustee may decide form and publication of its register and how information is made available (s 33A(3)–(6)); Minister may determine fees and approve forms (s 34–35).","Penalties with potential criminal consequences (offences for failure to compile/publish or pay—max 100 penalty units) but accompanied by statutory defences (s 9–11).","Procedural layers for claim handling and review: Trustee decision → reviewable decision notice → ACAT review (s 29–31).","Several historical amendments and omissions referenced in the endnotes; the Act has been adapted multiple times which increases interpretive complexity for historical or transitional questions."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does (mechanically)\n\n- Requires liquidators to hand over unclaimed assets in their control to the Public Trustee and Guardian (the Territory official who holds and administers money for people who cannot be located or who have no-one to act for them) where the asset has been unclaimed for more than 6 months (see s 4). The liquidator must give the Trustee particulars of the payment and, once the payment is made, the liquidator is discharged from further liability in respect of that money (s 4(4)–(5)).\n\n- Imposes record‑keeping and notification duties on companies for long‑unclaimed company payments (s 6–11). If a company has amounts payable to members or in relation to deposits/securities that have remained unclaimed for at least 6 years (s 6(2)), the company must:\n  - enter details in an alphabetical unclaimed‑amounts register kept at its principal ACT office by 31 January following the year in which they became ‘unclaimed’ (s 7(1));\n  - allow public inspection of those registers on payment/tender of a 20 cent fee (s 7(2));\n  - give a written, officer‑verified notice of the register particulars to the Public Trustee and Guardian by 31 March and publish public notice explaining how to check and claim amounts (s 8(2)–(3)).\n  If the company does not pay the amount to the entitled person within 1 year after giving the notice to the Trustee, the company must pay the amount to the Trustee within one month (s 10).\n\n- Sets penalties for failure to maintain registers, publish notices or pay over unclaimed amounts (maximum 100 penalty units) but allows a defence where the company complied with a corresponding law of another State/Territory (s 9–11).\n\n- Gives the Public Trustee and Guardian a statutory process for claimants to recover money paid into the Trustee: any person claiming entitlement may apply, must provide requested identity/entitlement documents, and the Trustee must decide to pay or refuse; decisions attract a reviewable‑decision notice and can be reviewed by the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) (s 26–31).\n\n- Authorises the Public Trustee and Guardian to keep an unclaimed money register (electronic or otherwise) and to make information available so people who are entitled can find and claim money (s 33A). The Minister may set fees and approved forms (s 34–35).\n\nWho this affects\n\n- Liquidators of companies operating in the ACT — they must hand over unclaimed dividends or undistributed assets after the specified time and supply account particulars to the Trustee (s 4).\n- Companies (including certain cooperatives and incorporated associations as defined) that make payments to members or hold deposits/securities — they must compile, make available and notify about registers of amounts unclaimed for 6 years, and ultimately pay amounts to the Public Trustee if unclaimed after specified periods (s 6–11).\n- The Public Trustee and Guardian — receives unclaimed amounts, keeps a register, decides claims, and administers payments to successful claimants (s 4, s 26–33A).\n- Claimants (owners or their agents/estate representatives) — they can apply to the Trustee for payment and have access to internal review and external review by ACAT if refused (s 27–31).\n\nWhy it matters (stated purpose and practical trade‑offs)\n\n- The statute centralises custody of long‑unclaimed money in a public office so owners have a single place to search and claim funds (see s 33A and the requirement to notify the Public Trustee at s 8). The Act also removes the paying company’s or liquidator’s ongoing liability once funds are paid to the Trustee (s 4(5), s 10(3)), which is a clear mechanical effect claimed by the law.\n\n- Costs and incentives: companies and liquidators bear the direct compliance costs (keeping registers, publishing notices, officer verification, payment transmissions). The Public Trustee bears the administrative cost of holding, publishing and processing claims. The law reduces ongoing legal risk for companies/liquidators once they pay money to the Trustee, which mechanically incentivises them to transfer long‑unclaimed balances rather than retain them on their books (s 4(5), s 10(3)).\n\n- Trade‑offs and opportunity costs: centralisation simplifies claimants’ searches but transfers custody and administrative responsibility (and any modest investment returns or carrying costs) to the public trustee. Companies lose control of those funds after the statutory transfer deadlines and may face a compliance burden in searching records to compile registers.\n\n- Implementation and compliance risks: the regime depends on accurate company registers and timely notices (s 7–8). Enforcement requires the Territory to police register compilation and payment deadlines (penalties are available at s 9 and s 11). The Act also relies on co‑operation with corresponding laws in other jurisdictions — a company can rely on compliance with a corresponding law as a defence (s 9(2)–(3), s 11(2)), which creates potential variation in practice across jurisdictions.\n\n- Effects on private choice and markets: the Act does not set prices or restrict commercial activities directly. It does, however, change firm behaviour around record‑keeping and the timing of final distributions (liquidators) and may marginally increase administrative costs for small firms, particularly incorporated associations and cooperatives captured in the definition of company (Dictionary: company). It also narrows firms’ choice about what to do with long‑unclaimed balances: either continue to hold them (with continuing potential liability) or transfer to the Public Trustee and be discharged (s 4(5), s 10(3)).\n\nWho pays, who decides, and what behaviour changes\n\n- Who pays: companies and liquidators pay (i) the administrative cost of setting up and maintaining registers, (ii) publishing and notification costs, and (iii) the unclaimed amounts themselves when statutory deadlines are reached (s 4, s 7, s 8, s 10). Claimants bear the cost of assembling proof of identity/entitlement to claim (s 27(2)). The Public Trustee bears administrative costs of custody and claims processing (s 33A).\n- Who decides: companies and liquidators decide when to compile registers and when to transfer money (subject to statutory deadlines). The Public Trustee decides whether to pay a claimant; its decisions are reviewable via ACAT (s 29–31).\n- Behavioural changes: expect more systematic record‑keeping and searches by companies and liquidators, an increased likelihood of transferring stale liabilities to the Public Trustee once statutory windows lapse, and channeling of claim activity through the Public Trustee’s register and claims process (s 7–10, s 33A).\n\nRelevant sections cited: s 3 (corresponding law declaration), s 4 (liquidators), s 6–11 (company registers, notices, payment obligations and penalties), s 26–31 (claimant application and review), s 33A (Public Trustee register), s 34–35 (fees and approved forms)."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1950 Ordinance dealt only with unclaimed assets in the hands of liquidators. Over 75 years, the Act has expanded significantly: Part 3 (company unclaimed amounts) was added in 1974; Part 4 (unclaimed superannuation benefits) was added in 1997 then repealed in 2010 when superannuation was federalised; Part 5 (claims process) was added in 1998; and the Act now incorporates money from trust accounts under the Agents Act 2003 and Legal Profession Act 2006. The scope has shifted from purely corporate liquidation to a broader consumer protection regime for dormant financial assets."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple distinct regulatory schemes in one Act (liquidator assets, company unclaimed amounts, and historical superannuation/RSA provisions now repealed)","Context-dependent definitions: 'company' has different meanings for Part 2 versus the rest of the Act (s 2 Dictionary)","Cross-references to external legislation including the Corporations Act, Co-operatives National Law (ACT), Agents Act 2003, and Legal Profession Act 2006","Time-based triggers with different periods: 6 months (liquidators), 6 years (companies), plus annual reporting deadlines (31 January, 31 March)","Defence provisions that rely on 'corresponding laws' of other States/Territories (ss 9(2), 9(3), 11(2)), requiring knowledge of interstate legislative schemes","Mechanisms for Ministerial declarations and determinations (fees, forms, corresponding laws) that create delegated legislative instruments"],"plain_english_summary":"The Unclaimed Money Act 1950 establishes a system requiring companies and liquidators to transfer forgotten or unclaimed funds to the Public Trustee and Guardian for safekeeping and later reclamation. It affects companies, liquidators, the Public Trustee, and ordinary people (or heirs) entitled to the money. The law prevents firms from indefinitely retaining others’ funds and provides a central, government-backed route to recover them."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/unclaimed-money-act-1950","history":"/api/acts/unclaimed-money-act-1950/history","analysis":"/api/acts/unclaimed-money-act-1950/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/unclaimed-money-act-1950/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/unclaimed-money-act-1950/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/unclaimed-money-act-1950/documents"}}