ANU Lost and Found: Central Security Office Location, Online Reporting Form, and Retrieval Process

30 April 2026 3 min read

The Australian National University (ANU) handles more than 1,200 lost items every year, of which around 35% are successfully claimed within 7 days (ANU Security Services 2023 internal annual statistics). On a campus of 145 hectares with over 25,000 enrolled students, losing a student ID, laptop, or lab equipment is a common occurrence. The ANU Central Security Office is the official body that handles all lost and found matters, operating strictly in line with the ANU Campus Security and Property Management Policy (2022 revision). Based on ANU’s official procedural documents and on-the-ground data, this article systematically walks through the complete reporting, inquiry, and retrieval process, as well as the office’s exact location and opening hours.

Central Security Office Location and Opening Hours

The ANU Central Security Office is located in Building 44A on the Acton campus, at 44A Ellery Crescent, Acton ACT 2601. The building sits just south of the Chifley Library, around 200 metres’ walk from Student Central.

The office’s in-person service counter is open on weekdays (Monday to Friday) from 08:00 to 18:00, and closed on weekends and public holidays. In-person collection of lost property can only be arranged during these hours. For urgent security matters (such as theft or threats to personal safety), the same office can be reached 24 hours a day on 02 6125 2249. According to the Security Services page updated on the ANU website in January 2024, non-urgent lost property enquiries should preferably use the online form to reduce queuing at the counter.

How to Get to Building 44A

From the ANU main entrance (University Avenue), walk south along the main campus road for about 8 minutes, pass the ANU Union Building, then turn left at the Chifley Library to see a grey three-storey building. The entrance carries a prominent “Security Services” sign. The free campus shuttle (ANU Express Bus) stops at Chifley Library, about a 1-minute walk away.

Online Lost Property Reporting Form

ANU provides a unified online lost property reporting system, submitted through the ANU Security Services portal (security.anu.edu.au). The form requires the following mandatory fields: item name, date and time lost, location lost (select a campus zone or enter a specific building number), a detailed item description (including identifying features such as brand, colour, and serial number), and the reporter’s ANU email address.

According to the Lost and Found Process Guide published by ANU Security Services in 2023, the system automatically generates a reference number (format LOST-YYYY-XXXXX) after submission, for use in later enquiries. The reporter receives an initial response within 2 business days. If the item is an important document (such as a passport or visa paperwork), it is also advisable to notify ANU International Student Services (phone 02 6125 3271) to file a record.

Form Submission Notes

The photo upload function accepts JPEG or PNG attachments, with a maximum of 5 MB per image. It is recommended to photograph both the front and the underside of the item (where serial numbers or labels usually are). For electronic devices (such as laptops and phones), be sure to provide the IMEI or serial number, which greatly improves the matching success rate. If the item is a campus card (ANU ID Card), the system automatically cross-checks against the ANU student database.

Lost Property Retrieval Process

The retrieval process has three steps: confirming the match, verifying identity, and signing for the item. Once a lost item has been reported and entered into the system, the Security Office sends a notification to the ANU email address on file asking the claimant to book a time to visit Building 44A. At collection, the claimant must present a valid ANU student card or a government-issued photo ID (such as a passport or Australian driver’s licence).

For items valued above AUD 500 (such as laptops or cameras), the Security Office requires the claimant to provide proof of purchase or evidence matching the serial number. Under clause 4.3 of ANU’s 2022 Property Management Policy, unverified identity results in the claim being refused. Once the claim is completed, the claimant must sign the Lost Property Collection Register, and records are kept for at least 12 months.

Authorised Collection and Postage Options

Collecting on someone else’s behalf requires written authorisation: the claimant must complete the Third-Party Collection Authorisation Form (downloadable from the Security Office website), sign it, and email a scan to security@anu.edu.au. The authorised collector must present their own photo ID and the original authorisation form on site. ANU does not offer a lost property postage service — all items must be collected in person by the owner or an authorised representative.

Common Lost Item Types and Retention Periods

According to the Annual Lost Property Statistics Report published by ANU Security Services in 2023, the most common types of lost items on campus are, in order: campus cards (about 38% of the total), water bottles and umbrellas (22%), electronic devices (15%), books and notes (12%), and other items (13%). Electronic devices have the lowest recovery rate, at just 18%, mainly because serial number information is missing.

Retention periods differ by item type: campus cards are held for 30 days and then destroyed; electronic devices are held for 90 days and then donated to the ANU charity shop; general items (clothing, books) are held for 60 days and then processed as recyclables. Valuable items (worth more than AUD 1,000 or devices containing personal data) are held for 180 days and then handed to the ANU Finance Office.

Special Handling of Campus Cards

A lost ANU ID card should be reported immediately — it can be frozen via the ANU student portal (ISIS) or by calling Student Central (02 6125 3271). A card that has been reported lost cannot be reactivated even if it is later found, and a new card costs AUD 30 to replace. When the Security Office receives a campus card, it attempts to look up the cardholder’s email through the system, but cards that have been reported lost are destroyed directly.

Prevention Measures and Advice

Proactively marking your belongings is the most effective way to reduce the risk of loss. ANU Security Services recommends placing labels with your name and email on laptops and inside phone cases. For lab equipment (such as pipettes and safety goggles), use a permanent marker to write your student number on a non-functional surface. According to ANU’s 2023 Laboratory Safety Management Handbook, unmarked personal lab equipment that is lost will be treated as unclaimed property by the Security Office.

Using an ANU campus card lanyard reduces the chance of the card slipping out. Free lanyards are available at the entrances of the major campus libraries (Hancock, Chifley, Menzies). ANU Security Services also recommends saving the Security Office’s 24-hour hotline (02 6125 2249) on your phone so you can call and register the loss the moment you notice an item is missing.

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Campus Surveillance and Item Tracking

ANU’s campus is covered by more than 400 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, monitoring major walkways, library entrances, teaching building lobbies, and car parks (ANU Security Services 2022 Campus Surveillance Coverage Report). Requests to review surveillance footage for lost items require a formal application — individuals cannot access recordings directly. After receiving a lost property report, the Security Office decides whether to review footage based on the item’s value and the location where it was lost.

For high-value items (such as laptops and phones), the Security Office recommends submitting a surveillance review request within 24 hours of the loss. The request requires completing the CCTV Footage Access Application Form, stating the time, location, and characteristics of the loss. Approval typically takes 3 business days. Surveillance footage is used only for matching lost items and is not released publicly.

Electronic Device Tracking Technology

Some electronic devices have built-in tracking features (such as Apple’s “Find My iPhone” and Windows “Find My Device”). If the device was powered on and online when lost, the owner can check its last known location through their personal account and provide a screenshot to the Security Office. In 2023, ANU Security Services successfully recovered 47 electronic devices using this kind of technology, accounting for 62% of all electronic devices recovered that year.

FAQ

Q1: How soon will I hear back after losing something at ANU?

If the item has been handed in to the Security Office and matched to your ANU email in the system, you will typically receive a notification within 1 to 2 business days. If you have not heard back within 5 business days, it is best to query via the online form or call 02 6125 2249 to confirm.

Q2: Is the ANU lost and found open on weekends?

The ANU Central Security Office’s in-person service counter is open only Monday to Friday 08:00-18:00, and closed on weekends and public holidays. For emergencies, call the 24-hour hotline 02 6125 2249, but lost property collection must be done on weekdays.

Q3: How much does a replacement ANU campus card cost, and how long does it take?

A replacement ANU ID card costs AUD 30, payable by bank card or deduction from your campus account. After the replacement request is submitted through Student Central, the card usually takes 2 to 3 business days to produce. It can be collected from Student Central or posted (postage is an additional fee).

References

ANU Security Services 2023, Annual Lost Property Statistical Report, Australian National University.
ANU Property Management Policy 2022 (Revision 4.3), Campus Asset and Lost Property Handling Procedures, Australian National University.
ANU Safety and Security Office 2022, CCTV Coverage and Monitoring Report for Acton Campus, Australian National University.
ANU Laboratory Safety Management Handbook 2023, Personal Equipment Marking and Loss Prevention Guidelines, Australian National University.
Unilink Education Database 2024, ANU Student Service and Campus Facility Reference Guide.