10.6.5.10 Totalising to Qualify for Australian Benefits - Agreement with Spain
Totalising
Article 9 - Totalisation for Australia - covers totalisation in order to qualify for an Australian benefit.
Spanish creditable periods can be added to periods of Australian residence to meet minimum residence requirements for Australian benefits under the SSAct. The Agreement allows non-continuous Spanish creditable periods to be added together and considered continuous as in 10.1.5.20.
When periods of Australian residence and Spanish creditable periods coincide, they shall be taken into account only once as a period of Australian residence by Australia.
People residing in Spain, or a third country with which Australia has an agreement, must have a minimum of 12 months Australian working life residence (6 months of which is continuous) before they can totalise to qualify for an Australian benefit. No minimum period of Australian residence is required for people residing in Australia.
Act reference: SS(IntAgree)Act Schedule 5 Spain
Policy reference: SS Guide 10.1.5.20 Minimum Periods Required to Totalise under an Agreement