10.27.4.20 Where people can lodge claims under the Agreement with the Republic of North Macedonia

Where claims can be lodged

Claims for Australian benefits covered by the Agreement can be lodged:

• in Australia, at any Centrelink office, or
• in the Republic of North Macedonia, at the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund.

Under Article 17, paragraph 2, the date on which a claim is lodged with either of the above authorities is the official date of lodgement for all purposes. This ensures that people in the Republic of North Macedonia are not disadvantaged as a result of mailing delays.

Article 17, paragraph 3, allows a claim for benefit under the legislation of one party to also be considered as a claim for the 'corresponding' benefit from the other party provided that:

• the claim is received by the other party within 12 months of the initial claim being lodged, and
• the applicant indicated on that initial claim that they had an affiliation with the other country.