This month, we are focusing on International Social Security Agreements.
If you are supporting a client who is currently living in Australia but has worked or lived overseas, they may be eligible to access certain social security payments using an International Social Security Agreement (an ‘SSA’).

What are International Social Security Agreements?

International Social Security Agreements (SSAs) are treaties between Australia and other countries that may enable people who have worked or lived overseas to claim certain social security payments. These agreements are designed to address gaps in coverage for people who might otherwise face difficulties in qualifying for benefits.

Australia has SSAs with various countries, including the United States, New Zealand, Ireland, India, Canada, Japan, Korea, Chile, Italy, Germany, and several other European nations.

The payments that an SSA may cover include the Disability Support Pension, Age Pension, Carer Payment, Parenting Payment Single, and the Double Orphan Pension. Each SSA specifies the payments covered by it. For example, the SSA with New Zealand covers the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payment.

How to claim social security payments under a SSA

1. Determine the countries involved:
   Firstly, establish which countries the individual has worked or lived in, as Australia only has SSAs with certain countries. To check which countries Australia currently has SSAs with, you can visit this website:
   https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/international/international-social-security-agreements/current-international-social-security-agreements

2. Contact the right authorities:
   Each country involved in the SSA has designated authorities for handling social security claims. For example, in Australia, Services Australia manages claims related to foreign social security, and a client can contact the Centrelink International Services Line on 131 673 to ask about their eligibility and initiate the process.

   Similarly, if the client is living abroad, they must contact the relevant foreign social security authority to start the claim for benefits from that country.

Challenges and considerations for financial counsellors

While SSAs offer a clear advantage for people who have lived and worked across borders, the process can sometimes be complex. Some common challenges include:

• Navigating bureaucratic systems: Different countries have different systems for social security claims, and some may require extensive paperwork or have varying rules for eligibility.
• Time delays: The process of combining work periods and calculating benefits across countries can take time. It’s important for financial counsellors to manage client expectations regarding timeframes and ensure clients are aware of potential delays.
• Changes in legislation: Social security laws and agreements can change, and the terms of existing SSAs may be altered.
• Claim rejections: If Centrelink rejects your client’s claim for an Australian payment, they may seek an internal review. There is a time limit of 13 weeks to lodge a request for internal review to preserve any back pay entitlement if successful. Generally, if the decision relates to their eligibility for a payment from the agreement country, then the review rights will be based on the agreement country’s appeal process, and different time limits may apply. As such, we recommend your client contact Centrelink’s International Services Line as soon as they receive a rejection decision.

Further assistance

If you are supporting a client with a social security issue, you are welcome to call our Worker Helpline on 03 9481 0655.

Our Worker Helpline is staffed by our lawyers throughout the week. We can provide you with information and guidance on the next steps in your client’s matter or schedule a legal advice appointment. If the client consents, you are welcome to also attend this appointment.

Due to the complexity of SSAs, there are occasions where we may refer clients directly to the Centrelink International Services Line for further information.

Celebrating 2024 and here’s to 2025!

On behalf of Social Security Rights Victoria, we would like to acknowledge the hard work of Victorian financial counsellors in 2024. The sector has achieved many positive outcomes, for individual clients and advocacy reforms, and these achievements are a testament to your hard work and tenacity!

Thank you also to FCVic for continuing and strengthening the Integrated Services Project partnership, championing integrated services, facilitating training sessions that SSRV has delivered, and for facilitating the Government Services Network.

We hope you all have a wonderful and restful end-of-year holiday, and we look forward to reconnecting in the new year to continue our work together.