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.P.310 Portability, proportional portability

Definition: portability

'Portability' refers to a person's continuing entitlement to an Australian social security payment while they are outside Australia (1.1.A.320). Once portability of entitlement is established, payments may continue in Australia or be directed overseas, depending on the type of payment and/or the duration of the absence.

Act reference: SSAct section 23(1)-'social security payment'

Usage: proportional portability

The proportional portability definition applies to payments with unlimited portability under domestic legislation as outlined below:

  • age pension
  • DSP (where terminally ill and leaving Australia to reside overseas, or severely impaired with no future work capacity).

The proportional portability definition also applies to payments paid under a social security agreement, which may include:

  • age pension
  • disability support pension
  • carer payment
  • parenting payment (single).

Note: Proportional portability does not apply to payments with limited portability (7.1.3), such as PPS, CP and DSP, where they are paid autonomously under domestic legislation.

Note: Prior to 20 March 2020, proportional portability also applied to WP and WidB. From 20 March 2020, with the introduction of JSP, WP and WidB ceased and recipients were transferred to an alternative payment depending on their circumstances.

Definition: proportional portability

'Proportional portability' refers to the rate of payment paid to a person once they have been outside Australia for a continuous period of 26 weeks. It usually means that the payment rate while overseas is based on the person's AWLR (1.1.A.340) up to a maximum period of 35 years or 420 months. People with AWLR of less than 35 years or 420 months will receive a proportional rate.

Note: For payments paid under a social security agreement, ‘proportional portability’ may apply on departure from Australia or on grant of payment if claimed while overseas. The maximum period of AWLR may also be different. As the rules may vary depending on the agreement, see Part 10 for details of individual agreements.

Act reference: SSAct Part 4.2 Overseas portability

SS(IntAgree)Act Part 3 Calculation of international agreement portability rates

Policy reference: SS Guide 7.1.1 Portability table (summary of portability rules), 7.2.2 Proportional rate for portable pensions, 10.1.9.30 Working life residence for agreement payments

Last reviewed: