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.

10.23.8.30 Australian Working Life Residence - Agreement with Greece

Australian working life residence

Article 1 of the Agreement defines periods of Australian working life residence as that defined in Australian legislation, but does not include periods deemed to be AWLR by virtue of Article 11 of the Agreement. This means that the definition in SS(IntAgree)Act sections 15 to 22 applies when calculating the rate of pension payable. Generally a person's AWLR is the period during which they were Australian residents beginning when the person turns 16 and ends when the person reaches age pension age.

AWLR for people who leave Australia after the Agreement commences

If a person moves to Greece after the Agreement has commenced, their AWLR is calculated over a denominator of 25 years.

Example: Mr Smith moves to Greece on 1 February 2009 and has 13 years of AWLR. The amount of age pension he will receive will be 13/25ths of his means-tested Australian age pension.

AWLR for people residing in Greece when the Agreement commences

If a person is permanently residing in Greece when the Agreement commences, their AWLR is calculated over a denominator of 44 years.

Example: Mr Jones has been living in Greece since 1 February 1989 and has 13 years of AWLR. The amount of age pension he will receive will be 13/44ths of his means-tested Australian age pension.

Act reference: SS(IntAgree)Act Schedule 22 Hellenic Republic, section 15 Working life

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