10.28.4.20 Where People Can Lodge Claims under the Agreement with the Czech Republic
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 Czech Republic, at the Czech Social Security Administration.
Under Article 16, 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 Czech Republic are not disadvantaged as a result of mailing delays.
Article 16, 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.
Act reference: SS(IntAgree)Act Schedule 27 Czech Republic