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.

10.21.100 Swiss glossary

Introduction

This section contains a list of terms used in and applicable to the Agreement with Switzerland.

Benefit

Benefit, for Australia, means a pension, benefit or allowance payable under Australian social security legislation as specified in Article 2 of the Agreement. This includes Age, and in some cases, CP, DSP, DOP and PPS. It also includes any additional amount or increase that is payable to a person who qualifies for that increase, including pension supplement and RA for people inside Australia. Any additional amounts are subject to the portability restrictions of the SSAct for people outside Australia.

Note: Although listed as Australian benefits covered in Article 2 of the Agreement, from 20 March 2020, WP, WidB and BVA ceased. Recipients of these payments were transferred to another payment, such as Age, where eligible.

Benefit, for Switzerland, means a pension, benefit or allowance payable under Swiss Social Welfare Acts as specified in Article 2 of the Agreement.

More information on benefits under Swiss Law is available from the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs website.

Carer payment

Under the Agreement, CP can only be paid to a person residing in Australia.

Disability support pension

Under the Agreement, DSP can only be paid to a person who is severely disabled.

Double orphan pension

Under the Agreement with Switzerland, DOP is payable in respect of a young person whose sole surviving parent dies while the young person was an Australian resident.

Both the young person and the person claiming DOP must be residents of Switzerland. The latter does not need to have any former Australian residence.

Parenting payment (single)

Under the Agreement, PPS is limited to legal (de jure) widows. Other categories of lone parents (single parents, males etc.) are not covered under this Agreement.

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