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.

10.11.5.10 Totalising to Qualify for an Australian Benefit - Agreement with Austria

Totalising

Article 11 covers totalisation in order to qualify for an Australian benefit.

  • Austrian insurance periods can count as periods as an Australian resident in order to meet minimum residence requirements for Australian benefits under social security law. The Agreement allows non-continuous Austrian insurance periods to be added together and considered continuous as in 10.1.5.20.
  • People residing in Austria, or a third country with which Australia has an agreement, must have a minimum of 12 months Australian working life residence (6 months of which is continuous) before they can totalise to qualify for an Australian benefit.
  • For people residing in Australia, no minimum period of Australian residence is required. This means that a person who has just arrived in Australia could qualify for means tested Australian benefits by totalising under the Agreement.

Act reference: SS(IntAgree)Act Schedule 10 Austria

Policy reference: SS Guide 10.1.5.20 Minimum Periods Required to Totalise under an Agreement

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