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.

10.9.5.10 Totalising to qualify for an Australian benefit - Agreement with Ireland

Totalising

Article 11 of the Agreement with Ireland covers totalisation in order to qualify for an Australian benefit.

Irish PRSI contributions can be added to periods as an Australian resident (at any time) to meet minimum residence requirements for Australian benefits under the SSAct. The Agreement allows non-continuous periods of PRSI contributions to be added together and considered continuous as in 10.1.5.20.

When periods of Australian residence (at any time) and Irish periods of PRSI contributions coincide, they shall be taken into account only once as a period of residence in Australia, by Australia.

People residing in Ireland, or a third country with which Australia has an agreement, must have a minimum of 12 months AWLR (6 months of which must be continuous) before they can totalise to qualify for an Australian benefit. No minimum working life residence is required for people residing in Australia.

Widowed persons

Widowed persons who do not have enough PRSI contributions to add to their periods as an Australian resident to qualify for parenting payment (single) may use any of their late partner's PRSI contributions which do not overlap with their own.

Note: this provision previously also applied to BVA. BVA ceased from 20 March 2020.

Act reference: SS(IntAgree)Act Schedule 8 Ireland

Last reviewed: