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.

10.8.5.10 Totalising to Qualify for an Australian Benefit - Agreement with the Netherlands

Totalising

Article 14 of the Agreement with the Netherlands covers totalisation in order to qualify for an Australian benefit.

A Netherlands' period of insurance can be added to periods as an Australian resident in order to meet the minimum residence requirements for Australian benefits under the SSAct. The Agreement allows non-continuous periods of insurance in the Netherlands to be added together and counted as continuous.

The Agreement with the Netherlands allows any, and all, Netherlands' period of insurance listed in the scope of the Agreement to be totalised to qualify for an Australian benefit. For example, both Netherlands invalidity insurance periods (WAO) and old age insurance periods (AOW) can be used to totalise for Australian DSP.

People residing in the Netherlands, or a third country with which Australia has an agreement that provides for cooperation in the lodgement of claims, 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 working life residence is required for people residing in Australia.

Act reference: SS(IntAgree)Act Schedule 7 Netherlands

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