Australians are being urged to check out the state and federal tools that can reunite them or their loved ones with money that's just gathering dust. Every jurisdiction has its own unclaimed money register, and there is a lot of cash waiting to be grabbed.

While each site might look a little different, you only need to type in your last name, your suburb, and your organisation name (if applicable) and it will show whether you're owed any money. Queenslander Renee Gracie tried it and was shocked to see she had $142 in her name.

"I clicked on how to claim, and it makes you fill out a form, you submit it, and they give you the money back," she said.

"It's a good little hack. Highly recommend for whatever state you're in... and see if you are owed any money."

The unclaimed money has many origins.

Some are from dividends, unpresented cheques, superannuation, deposits, a payment or overpayment, refund, trust funds, and other sources.

They can also stretch back decades, with a search through NSW's records showing money from the '90s and '80s popping up.

While $142 might not sound like much, there are much bigger cash piles waiting to be claimed.

People who checked their state or territory registries were blown away by the money that was in their names.

"Owed $1,000 from an insurance company. Winner winner," said one Aussie.

"Nothing for me but I found $410 for my partner and $530 for my dad! Owed from 1981," added another.

"Apparently I'm owed $950, I need it so bad," wrote a third.

A fourth commented: "I found 6 figures in total for 5 family members $1,400 for myself I was just amazed."

There is a federal register as well as one for every state and territory.

Usually, you'll have to lodge a claim against the money and upload certain identity or personal documents in order to claim the cash: