While some winners might prefer to claim their prize as soon as possible, other winners might like to claim their prize later.
More information on claiming your prize is available here.
However, due to state laws and regulations, it’s worth noting that prize claim periods vary depending on the state where you purchased your ticket.
Queensland:
- Lottery and Instant Scratch-Its prizes must be claimed within seven years after the draw date or Instant Scratch-Its game closure date. Once seven years have passed, prizes cannot be paid.
New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory:
- Lottery and Instant Scratch-Its prizes must be claimed within six years after the draw date or Instant Scratch-Its game closure date. Once six years have passed, prizes cannot be paid.
Victoria
- Lottery and Instant Scratch-Its prizes must be claimed within 12 months of the final draw date on the ticket or Instant Scratch-Its game closure.
- Once twelve months has passed, winners must submit their claim to the Victorian State Revenue Office at GPO Box 1641, Melbourne Vic 3001. Click here to find out more details of what’s required.
Tasmania:
- Lottery and Instant Scratch-Its prizes must be claimed within 12 months of the final draw date on the ticket or Instant Scratch-Its game closure. These can be claimed from Tasmanian outlets within 12 months.
- Once twelve months has passed, for winning Instant Scratch-Its tickets purchased in Tasmania, a Golden Casket Prize Claim Form must be complete within seven years of the relevant Instant Scratch-Its game’s closure date. Golden Casket Prize Claim Form can be downloaded here.
- Once twelve months has passed for Lottery wins, winners must submit this form to Tasmania Treasury & Finance, GPO Box 147, Hobart Tas 7001.
Northern Territory:
- Lottery prizes must be claimed within three years after the draw date. Once three years has passed, prizes cannot be paid.
- For winning Instant Scratch-Its tickets purchased in the Northern Territory, prizes can be claimed within three years after the relevant Instant Scratch-Its game closure date.
- Once three years has passed, for winning Instant Scratch-Its tickets purchased in the Northern Territory, prizes must be claimed from Golden Casket within seven years after the relevant Instant Scratch-Its game closure date. Golden Casket Prize Claim Form can be downloaded here.
South Australia:
- Lottery, Instant Scratch-Its and Keno prizes must be collected within 12 months after the draw date or Instant Scratch-Its game closure date.
- Once 12 months has passed, the unclaimed money is forfeited to the Lotteries Commission of South Australia, which has a prize claim process and associated administration costs.
- Once twelve months has passed, winners must submit a SA Lotteries Prize Claim Form and Ex-Gratia Statutory Declaration Form. SA Lotteries Prize Claim Form and Ex-Gratia Statutory Declaration Form can be downloaded here.