10.24.5.10 Totalising to Qualify for an Australian Benefit - Agreement with Japan
Totalising for an Australian age pension
Article 15 of the Agreement covers totalisation in order to qualify for an Australian benefit.
A period of coverage under the legislation of Japan can be added to periods as an Australian resident in order to meet the minimum residence requirements for Australian benefits under the SSAct. Non-continuous periods of coverage under the legislation of Japan can be added together and regarded as continuous (if they equal or exceed the minimum residence requirements for Australian benefits).
If a period of coverage under the legislation of Japan and a period as an Australian resident coincide (i.e. overlap), the period of coincidence shall be taken into account once only for totalisation purposes.
People who are not Australian residents must have a minimum of 12 months Australian working life residence (6 months of which must be continuous) before they can totalise to qualify for an Australian benefit. No minimum period of AWLR is required for Australian residents.
Act reference: SS(IntAgree)Act Schedule 23 Japan