CSV return form

A CSV return form is an Excel spreadsheet and contains:

Header record: Where the life company’s/friendly society’s information is entered (row 1)

Detail record/s: Where the unclaimed money record is entered (rows 2, 3, etc)

To make an Excel spreadsheet into a CSV return form you will need to save it as a comma delimited file format (.csv). To do this, use ‘save as’ to change the spreadsheet type to .csv.

The CSV return form has a specific format that must be complied with for ASIC’s system to receive and process the return. Our downloadable guide to the CSV return form includes the information to be included and the required format.

Download the Guide to the Life Insurance Act CSV returns form (PDF)

It is advisable to check that your CSV return form has:

• a Header record
• correct totals in the Header record
• the full name and last known address of the owner of the policy and of the life insured by the policy (‘unknown’ addresses may be rejected)
• the amount due for each Detail record
• the policy number
• the date the policy became due (should be more than seven years ago for unclaimed policy money)
• the state where the policy was registered.

The detailed information you provide ensures that accurate and sufficiently complete unclaimed money details can be made available to the public and claimants identified. This information can be searched on our consumer website Moneysmart.

Lodging the CSV return form

Once you have completed your CSV return form you can lodge it by email. 

Lodging your CSV return form by email assists ASIC in processing the return as quickly as possible.

As a life company/friendly society, if you have internal privacy or security policies which would prevent you making your return by email with an attached CSV claim form, please send an email to unclaimed.lodging@asic.gov.au outlining:

• details as to why you can’t use the email process; and
• what alternative you propose so that the information can be provided to ASIC electronically, but complying with your security/privacy policy.

We will consider these issues on a case-by-case basis.

Making payment to ASIC of unclaimed money

You will receive email confirmation that your CSV return form has been accepted and details of how you can make payment will be provided.

If the payment of the unclaimed money is not received by ASIC within 5 business days of ASIC’s email your return may be rejected.