7.1.3.20 Portability & rate under the 2002 Agreement with New Zealand

Summary

The 2002 Agreement came into force on 1 July 2002 and ceased on 31 December 2016 when the new agreement (the 2017 Agreement) came into effect. People paid under the 2002 Agreement, when the 2017 Agreement came into force, could retain the 2002 Agreement portability rules. This section details the portability and rate rules for those people.

For details on portability arrangements under the current 2017 Agreement see 10.2.9.10.

2002 Agreement

If a person is being paid under the 2002 Agreement with New Zealand, and travels to New Zealand long term, the rate of some payments are affected.

If they go to New Zealand, Age, DSP and CP (for partner-carers of DSP only) will be paid at a rate determined by the 2002 Agreement with New Zealand as follows:

• if they intend to go for >12 months, the special agreement rate applies from date of arrival in New Zealand, or
• if they go for <12 months, the normal rate payable in Australia continues for 26 weeks and then the special agreement rate applies.

For further information on:

• calculation of rates under the New Zealand Agreement, see 10.2.8 Rate Calculation - Agreement with New Zealand, and/or
• paying agreement pensions to people who move between Australia and New Zealand, see 10.2.9 Paying Agreement Benefits Overseas - Agreement with New Zealand.

Payments not covered by the Agreements have their rate determined under normal rules.