South Australian hotel lost property law: Unclaimed Goods Act 1987
Published October 2026 • 5 min read • Unclaimed Goods Act 1987 (SA)
How long must a hotel keep lost property in South Australia?
It depends on value. Under the Unclaimed Goods Act 1987 (SA), goods of $200 or less pass to the hotel after a 14-day holding period from notice. Goods from $200 to under $20,000 can be sold after 28 days. Goods of $20,000 or more need a 60-day holding period and a court order before disposal. Personal documents need 28 days' notice and secure disposal.
When goods become unclaimed
Goods are unclaimed when the hotel has asked the provider or owner to collect them and nobody has within 14 days, or when the hotel has taken reasonable steps to find contact details and failed (section 5). Rubbish, perishable goods and goods that are a risk to health or safety are unclaimed straight away (section 5(1)(d)).
The Act defines bailment to include involuntary bailment, so it is likely to reach property a guest leaves behind. It does not apply to the extent that a written agreement or understanding between the hotel and the guest deals with disposal and both follow it (section 3A).
Goods that became unclaimed before 1 August 2026 remain under the previous version of the Act (Unclaimed Goods (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2025, Sch 1, cl 2).
Holding periods by value
The Act's scales are set by value (section 3):
- Scale 1: $200 or less (motor vehicles $1,000 or less). Notice to each relevant person allows 14 days to collect. If nobody collects, the hotel gains good title to the goods (section 6).
- Scale 2: more than $200 but under $20,000 (motor vehicles over $1,000 but under $20,000). After notice and 28 days, the goods can be sold by public auction or private sale for a fair value. Any other disposal needs a court order (section 6A).
- Scale 3: $20,000 or more. After notice and 60 days, the goods can only be disposed of by court order. Notice of the application must go to the Commissioner of Police (section 6A).
- Personal documents (such as birth certificates, passports, licences, financial or medical documents and personal photographs): notice, then 28 days. They cannot be sold and must be disposed of in a way that protects their contents (section 6B).
- Rubbish: may be disposed of in any way straight away (section 6C).
- Perishable goods, or goods that are a risk to health or safety: after notice of intention to dispose, a reasonable period, then disposal in any manner (section 6C).
Owner claims, costs and leftover money
An owner or provider can claim the goods before they are disposed of. The hotel may first send a written account of its reasonable costs, storage and charges. If the account isn't paid within 21 days, or it is paid but the goods aren't collected, the hotel may proceed to dispose of them (section 7).
From a sale, the hotel can keep its reasonable costs and charges, and the balance goes to the Treasurer. An owner can apply to the Treasurer for that balance within 25 years (sections 8 and 8A).
Records
After a disposal under section 6A or a court order, the hotel must keep a record for 6 years. It must show a description of the goods, the date and manner of disposal and for a sale the buyer's name and address, the price paid and the amount the hotel kept (section 8B).
How Homebound handles this for SA properties
Homebound gives every logged item a timestamped history — intake photo, guest notification, courier collection — so a SA property always has the record this guide describes. Guests enter their own shipping address and pay for courier return themselves, and it costs the hotel nothing.
Frequently asked questions
Does South Australia set a number of days for lost property?+
Yes, by value. Goods of $200 or less pass to the hotel 14 days after notice. Goods from $200 to under $20,000 can be sold 28 days after notice. Goods of $20,000 or more need 60 days after notice and a court order. Personal documents need 28 days after notice.
Does the Act apply to items a guest leaves in a hotel room?+
Probably, because the Act's definition of bailment includes involuntary bailment. The wording isn't written for hotels, though, and a written agreement with the guest that deals with disposal changes the position (section 3A). Check with a lawyer before relying on it.
Should a South Australian hotel treat cash and jewellery differently?+
Yes. Goods of $20,000 or more can only be disposed of by court order, so a hotel holding high-value items needs legal advice before doing anything with them. Lower-value items still need the notice and holding periods above, and a complete record of each step.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal advice. It summarises the South Australia uncollected goods legislation and is sourced from the relevant consumer affairs publications and the legislation itself. It is correct at the time of writing (October 2026). Laws and guidance change, so check the current Act on the official legislation site before you act on anything here.
Nothing in this guide is advice for your property. Before you dispose of, sell or hand over any guest's belongings, speak to a lawyer or your state consumer affairs office.
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