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.

10.9.100 Irish glossary

Introduction

This section contains definitions of terms applicable to the Agreement with Ireland.

Benefit

Benefit, for Australia, means a pension, benefit or allowance payable under Australian social security legislation as specified in Article 2 of the Agreement. This includes Age and, in some cases, DSP and PPS (see definitions below). It also includes any additional amount or increase that is payable to a person who qualifies for that increase, including pension supplement and RA for people in Australia. Any additional amounts are subject to the portability restrictions under the SSAct for people outside Australia.

Note: Although listed as Australian benefits covered in Article 2 of the Agreement, from 20 March 2020, WP, WidB and BVA ceased. Recipients of these payments were transferred to another payment, such as Age, where eligible.

Benefit, for Ireland, means a pension, benefit or allowance payable under Irish Social Welfare Acts as specified in Article 2 of the Agreement.

More information on benefits under Irish Law is available from the Irish Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection website.

Disability support pension

When the original Agreement was negotiated, DSP was known as 'invalid pension'. The original Agreement covered DSP for both the severely disabled and the non-severely disabled. New grants of DSP under the current agreement are limited to individuals who are severely disabled (non-severely disabled recipients granted under the original Agreement were grandfathered and remain eligible).

Ireland

Ireland is the Republic of Ireland. It excludes Northern Ireland which is part of the UK.

Parenting payment (single)

Under the Agreement PPS is limited to legal (de jure) widows. Other categories of lone parents (single parents, males etc.) are not covered under this Agreement.

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