The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

10.1.4.20 Date of Lodgement of Claims & Documents under Agreements

Accepted date of lodgement

The date on which claims for payments, appeals and other documents are lodged with a social security authority can affect the date from which payment starts. This is particularly true of Australia's payments as payment generally starts from the date the claim is lodged. However, this may not necessarily be the case for Australia's agreement partners.

Agreements allow for the date on which a claim is lodged in an agreement country to be accepted as the date the claim is lodged in Australia. This also applies to claims for payments from agreement countries.

Claims received in Centrelink within 13 weeks of qualifying must be accepted; notwithstanding they may have been lodged more than 13 weeks before qualifying with the agreement country.

Last reviewed: 4 January 2016

The Australian Government acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, water, culture and community. We pay our respects to the Elders both past and present.