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.

1.1.H.80 Host country agreement

Usage

This definition applies to any payments which are made as the result of an international social security agreement (1.1.A.120).

Definition

A host country agreement is a type of international social security agreement, as distinct from a shared responsibility agreement (1.1.S.140), under which each country agrees to take social security responsibility for individuals from the other country who settle in their territory. This type of agreement does NOT provide for grant of one country's pensions in the territory of the other nor does it provide for the long term portability (1.1.P.310) of the payments it covers.

Example: Australia had host-country agreements with New Zealand (the 1995 Agreement) and the UK. The New Zealand 1995 Agreement was replaced from July 2002 by a shared-responsibility agreement, and then subsequently by the 2017 Agreement, which is also a shared responsibility agreement. Some people are still paid in Australia under the 2002 and 1995 Agreements. The Agreement with the UK was terminated with effect from 1 March 2001 but some people in Australia are still paid under it and under related protection provisions.

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