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Australia's International Social Security AgreementsAustralia has formal social security agreements with particular countries to make sure you continue to get social security protection when you move between the agreement countries. on this page
With what countries does Australia have agreements?Australia has agreements with 22 countries to share the responsibility for social security coverage. These agreements are with:
You can view Australia's International Social Security Agreements Factsheets, with specific information on each country, in the Publications section of the website. There is also more information about International Agreements on the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website. Agreements with other countries have also been signed:
Negotiations for other new agreements are under way with a number of other countries. [ return to top ] Agreement with the United KingdomThe agreement with the United Kingdom ended on 1 March 2001. If you were getting benefits under the agreement on 1 March 2001, you will continue to get those payments. If you are an Australian resident who migrated to Australia on or before 1 March 2000, the date on which Australia served notice of termination of the agreement on the UK, you will continue to have your UK contributions recognised for grants of Australian Age Pension. For information on claiming UK pensions, paying voluntary contributions or on other matters relating to United Kingdom social security, go to the following UK Government websites: [ return to top ] Agreement between Australia and GreeceHave you lodged your Greek Old Age Pension claim form with Centrelink? In October 2008 Centrelink wrote to 50,000 Australians who may be entitled to receive a Greek Old Age Pension. If you received a Greek pension claim form from Centrelink and have not already lodged it, it is important that you return the form as soon as possible, or contact Centrelink to discuss whether a claim needs to be lodged. If you do not return the form or contact us, Centrelink will be required by law to consider suspending payment of your Australian Age Pension. Claim forms can be posted to Centrelink International Services (GPO Box 273, Hobart TAS 7001) or lodged at any Centrelink Customer Service Centre. For more information call Centrelink International Services on 13 1673, or Centrelink Multilingual Call on 13 1202 to talk in a language other than English. [ return to top ] Who do agreements help?Agreements help if you have lived in Australia and in an agreement country and have been covered by that other country's social insurance scheme. They only cover pensions, e.g. Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment (adult), Carer Payment (child) and Parenting Payment (Single) and payments covered vary with different agreements. [ return to top ] How do agreements help?Agreements can help by:
[ return to top ] How much pension do I get paid under an agreement?Each country usually pays you a part pension. Foreign pension rates are usually proportional to the length of your social insurance period. Australian pensions are usually paid at a proportional rate abroad, and as top up pension inside Australia. For the Australian pension, some foreign welfare supplement payments are not treated as income. [ return to top ] How do I claim a foreign pension while in Australia?You can get a claim form for a foreign pension from any agreement country posted to you in Australia by contacting Centrelink International Services on 13 1673 or by visiting any Centrelink Customer Service Centre. You can only get a claim form for a foreign pension from a non-agreement country by contacting the social security authority in that country. You can get contact details for many countries, or help with your claim by visiting any Centrelink Customer Service Centre or Telephoning Centrelink. Note: To claim an Australian Age Pension, you must take steps to get a pension from the country you lived in, or provide a reason why a claim would be unsuccessful. [ return to top ] How do I claim an Australian pension while outside Australia?If you are living in an Agreement country, you can claim an Australian pension by:
You cannot claim an Australian pension unless you are residing in Australia OR an Agreement country. Note: To claim an Australian Age Pension, you must take steps to get a pension from the country you lived in, or provide a reason why a claim would be unsuccessful. [ return to top ] Did you find what you were looking for? You can also try the A-Z list, quick links, search, site help or send us feedback on how to make this a better website. |