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.

10.4.5.20 Totalising to Qualify for an Italian Benefit

Totalising for an Italian benefit

Article 11 of the Agreement covers totalisation in order to qualify for an Italian benefit.

Italy counts Australian working life residence as Italian periods of credited contributions when totalising for an Italian benefit.

Before a person can totalise for an Italian benefit they must satisfy the relevant minimum periods of credited contributions listed below:

  • Italian old age pension - minimum of 1 year,
  • Italian anticipated pension - minimum of 1 year,
  • Italian seniority pension - minimum of 15 years,
  • Italian invalidity allowance - minimum of 1 year,
  • Italian inability pension - minimum of 1 year,
  • Italian privileged invalidity allowance - minimum of 1 year,
  • Italian privileged inability pension - minimum of 1 year, and
  • Italian survivor's pension - minimum of 1 year.

Voluntary contributions to the Italian system

Under Italian law, people can continue to pay voluntary contributions to the Italian social security system in order to qualify for benefit or to bring them up to a higher level of benefit if they have paid a minimum of:

  • 5 years of contributions, or
  • 3 years contributions in the 5 years preceding the date of application for voluntary contributions.

Article 11, paragraph 3 of the Agreement allows periods of Australian working life residence to be totalised with Italian contributions to meet the minimum requirements to pay voluntary contributions provided they have at least one year on credited contributions.

Act reference: SS(IntAgree)Act Schedule 2 Italy

Last reviewed: