{"id":"sr:unclaimed-money-regulations-2019","name":"Unclaimed Money Regulations 2019","slug":"unclaimed-money-regulations-2019","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":183987,"registerId":"vic-sr:unclaimed-money-regulations-2019-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Unclaimed Money Regulations 2019","content":"Version No. 002\n\n**Unclaimed Money Regulations 2019**\n\n**S.R. No. 6/2019**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n17 February 2026\n\n**TABLE OF PROVISIONS**\n\n*Regulation Page*\n\n1 Objectives 1\n\n2 Authorising provision 1\n\n3 Commencement 1\n\n4 Revocation 1\n\n5 Definition 1\n\n6 Form of the business register of unclaimed money 2\n\n7 Details to be included in the business register of unclaimed money 2\n\n8 Time for VCAT to re-open matter 2\n\n9 Authorised recipient to receive a permitted disclosure 2\n\nSchedule 1—Forms 3\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes 4\n\n1 General information 4\n\n2 Table of Amendments 6\n\n3 Explanatory details 7\n\n**Version No.** **002**\n\n**Unclaimed Money Regulations 2019**\n\n**S.R. No. 6/2019**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n17 February 2026\n\n\t1 Objectives\n\nThe objectives of these Regulations are—\n\n(a) to prescribe the form of the business register of unclaimed money; and\n\n(b) to prescribe the details to be entered into the business register of unclaimed money; and\n\n(c) to provide for the time within which VCAT may re-open a matter when an objector is in default of appearance; and\n\n(d) to prescribe the Secretary to the Department of Education and Training as an authorised recipient.\n\n\t2 Authorising provision\n\nThese Regulations are made under section 103 of the **Unclaimed Money Act 2008**.\n\n\t3 Commencement\n\nThese Regulations come into operation on 17 February 2019.\n\n\t4 Revocation\n\nThe Unclaimed Money Regulations 2009[[1]](#endnote-2) are **revoked**.\n\n\t5 Definition\n\nIn these Regulations—\n\n***the Act*** means the **Unclaimed Money Act 2008**.\n\n\t6 Form of the business register of unclaimed money\n\nFor the purposes of section 11(1)(a) of the Act, the prescribed form of the business register of unclaimed money is Form 1 in Schedule 1.\n\n\t7 Details to be included in the business register of unclaimed money\n\nFor the purposes of section 11(1)(b) of the Act, the prescribed details to be entered in the business register of unclaimed money (if known and applicable) are—\n\n(a) the full name and last known address of the owner of the unclaimed money; and\n\n(b) the date of birth of the owner; and\n\n(c) the ABN or ACN of the owner; and\n\n(d) a business reference for the owner; and\n\n(e) a description of the unclaimed money; and\n\n(f) the date on which the unclaimed money first became legally payable; and\n\n(g) the gross amount of the unclaimed money.\n\nReg. 8 amended by S.R. No. 8/2026 reg. 3.\n\n\t8 Time for VCAT to re-open matter\n\nThe time prescribed for the purposes of section 63(3) of the Act is the period of 6 weeks commencing on the day on which the assessment, reassessment, decision made under section 30 of the Act or repayment notice is confirmed by VCAT.\n\n\t9 Authorised recipient to receive a permitted disclosure\n\nFor the purposes of section 77(1)(g)(viii) of the Act, the Secretary to the Department of Education and Training is an authorised recipient.\n\nSchedule 1—Forms\n\nForm 1\n\nRegulation 6\n\n**Unclaimed Money Act 2008**\n\nBusiness Register of Unclaimed Money\n\n| *Name of owner and address* | *Date of birth of owner* | *ABN/   ACN* | *Business reference* | *Description* | *Date payable* | *Amount* |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |\n\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\nThe Unclaimed Money Regulations 2019, S.R. No. 6/2019 were made on 12 February 2019 by the Governor in Council under section 103 of the **Unclaimed Money Act 2008**, No. 44/2008 and came into operation on 17 February 2019: regulation 3.\n\nThe Unclaimed Money Regulations 2019 will sunset 10 years after the day of making on 12 February 2029 (see section 5 of the **Subordinate Legislation Act 1994**).\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided regulation, rule or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subregulations, subrules or subclauses the original regulation, rule or clause becomes subregulation, subrule or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original regulation, rule or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after  \n1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any heading inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.  \nThis includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; Orders; Parts into which an Order is divided; clauses; regulations; rules; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms.  \nSee section 36(1A)(2A)(2B).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Statutory Rule. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after  \n1 January 2001 forms part of that Statutory Rule. Any punctuation inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.  \nSee section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in a Statutory Rule form part of that Statutory Rule, whether inserted in the Statutory Rule before, on or after  \n1 January 2001. Provision numbers include regulation numbers, rule numbers, subregulation numbers, subrule numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of a Statutory Rule is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of a Statutory Rule. See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThis publication incorporates amendments made to the Unclaimed Money Regulations 2019 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\nUnclaimed Money Amendment Regulations 2026, S.R. No. 8/2026\n\n| *Date of Making:* | 17.2.26 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Date of Commencement:* | 17.2.26 |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Explanatory details\n\n1. Reg. 4: S.R. No. 11/2009. [↑](#endnote-ref-2)","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the limited text available, there is no evidence of scope change from the original intent. Regulations of this type are typically made to give effect to an existing Act and remain consistent with their enabling legislation. However, a definitive assessment is not possible given the absence of substantive regulatory content in the provided text."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely limited substantive content was provided — the document appears to be a metadata/version history shell rather than full legislative text","Regulations (as opposed to Acts) are typically more procedural and prescriptive, which adds some technical complexity","Unclaimed money frameworks can involve multiple interacting laws (the parent Act plus these Regulations), requiring cross-referencing","Without the full text of the regulations, specific provisions — such as reporting thresholds, timeframes, or penalty structures — could not be assessed for complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set out the operational rules supporting the Unclaimed Money law: how dormant or forgotten funds held by businesses, banks and government are reported, transferred to the state, recorded and reclaimed. They affect holders of customer funds and individuals with old accounts or unpaid entitlements, and matter because they govern how unclaimed money is collected, protected and returned to its rightful owners."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulations remain tightly focused on their original administrative purpose: prescribing forms, details, time limits, and authorised recipients for the unclaimed money scheme. The 2026 amendment to Regulation 8 (adjusting the VCAT re-opening time period) is a minor technical update that does not expand the scope beyond the original intent."},"complexity_factors":["Only 9 regulations total, with minimal conditional language","Single defined term ('the Act') in the interpretation section","No nested exceptions or complex cross-referencing beyond basic references to the parent Act","Straightforward prescriptive provisions (form must be X, details must include Y, time is Z weeks)","One simple amendment noted (Regulation 8 amended in 2026) with no structural complexity","Schedule 1 contains only a single blank table template"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations are administrative rules that support Victoria's **Unclaimed Money Act 2008**. They do four main things:\n\n**1. Set up a standard form for tracking unclaimed money**\nBusinesses must keep a register of money they hold that belongs to other people but hasn't been claimed (like forgotten bank accounts or uncashed cheques). These regulations prescribe exactly what that register should look like—essentially a table with columns for the owner's details, when the money became payable, and how much it is.\n\n**2. Specify what details must be recorded**\nWhen businesses enter information in their register, they must include (where known):\n- The owner's full name, address, and date of birth\n- Their ABN or ACN (Australian business numbers)\n- A business reference number\n- A description of what the money is\n- When it first became legally payable\n- The gross amount\n\n**3. Set a 6-week deadline for VCAT to re-open cases**\nIf someone objects to a decision about unclaimed money but fails to show up to their VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) hearing, VCAT has **6 weeks** from when it confirms its decision to re-open the matter if asked.\n\n**4. Authorise the Education Secretary to receive certain disclosures**\nThe Secretary to the Department of Education and Training is named as someone who can legally receive information about unclaimed money that would otherwise be private, for specific permitted purposes under the Act.\n\n**Who does this affect?**\nPrimarily businesses that hold unclaimed money, the Victorian State Revenue Office (which administers the Act), and people trying to claim money that belongs to them."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The core scope—prescribing the register form and required entries—remains. However, scope was narrowed procedurally by amendment: regulation 8 was amended (S.R. No. 8/2026 reg. 3) to prescribe a six‑week VCAT re‑opening period. The instrument also replaced the 2009 regulations at commencement (Reg 4), so it altered the prior regulatory framework rather than leaving it in place."},"complexity_factors":["Short, narrowly focused instrument limited to form and record fields (Reg 6; Reg 7).","Prescriptive requirements reduce interpretive discretion (Schedule 1 Form 1; Reg 7).","Cross-reference dependence on the Unclaimed Money Act 2008 for substantive effect (Reg 2; Reg 5).","Single procedural timing rule for VCAT re‑openings (Reg 8) centralises a key legal deadline.","Designation of an authorised recipient is administrative rather than rule‑making (Reg 9).","Minor later amendment noted (Reg 8 amended by S.R. No. 8/2026 reg. 3) but no broad expansion of subject matter."],"plain_english_summary":"These Regulations prescribe the exact form and required fields for a business register of unclaimed money, set a six‑week limit for VCAT to re‑open matters after confirmation, designate the Secretary to the Department of Education and Training as an authorised recipient, and revoke the 2009 Regulations. (Regs 4, 6–9.)\n\nThey affect anyone holding unclaimed money by imposing specific record‑keeping (name, address, DOB, ABN/ACN, reference, description, date payable, gross amount) and by narrowing the time window for reopening disputes; holders carry the compliance cost and VCAT controls reopening. (Regs 7–8; Reg 9.)"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/unclaimed-money-regulations-2019","history":"/api/acts/unclaimed-money-regulations-2019/history","analysis":"/api/acts/unclaimed-money-regulations-2019/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/unclaimed-money-regulations-2019/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/unclaimed-money-regulations-2019/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/unclaimed-money-regulations-2019/documents"}}