Social Security (International Agreements) Act 1999 (Cth)

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Social Security (International Agreements) Act 1999

No. 173, 1999

Compilation No. 55

Compilation date: 1 February 2024

Includes amendments: F2023L01176

Registered: 5 February 2024

This compilation is in 2 volumes

Volume 1:sections 1–25

Schedules 215

Volume 2: Schedules 16–33

Endnotes

Each volume has its own contents

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Social Security (International Agreements) Act 1999 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 1 February 2024 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register ( The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Self‑repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents

An Act to give effect to international social security agreements, and for related purposes

Part 1Preliminary 1Short title

This Act may be cited as the Social Security (International Agreements) Act 1999.

2Commencement

This Act commences on 20 March 2000.

3Interpretation

Unless a contrary intention appears, an expression that is used in the Social Security Act 1991 has the same meaning, when used in this Act, as in the Social Security Act 1991.

4Social security law

This Act forms part of the social security law.

4ANorfolk Island

This Act extends to Norfolk Island.

Part 2International social security agreements 5Scheduled international social security agreements
  1. (1)

    For the purposes of a provision of the social security law, an agreement is a scheduled international social security agreement if:

    1. (a)

      the agreement is between Australia and another country; and

    2. (b)

      the agreement relates to reciprocity in social security or superannuation matters; and

    3. (c)

      the text of the agreement is set out in a Schedule to this Act.

  2. (2)

    The reference in subsection (1) to a scheduled international social security agreement includes a reference to such an agreement as amended, or otherwise affected in its operation, by a further agreement or further agreements between Australia and the other country concerned.

6Overriding of social security law by scheduled international social security agreements
  1. (1)

    The provisions of a scheduled international social security agreement have effect despite anything in the social security law.

  2. (2)

    Subsection (1) applies to a provision of an agreement only in so far as the provision is in force and affects the operation of the social security law.

  3. (3)

    If:

    1. (a)

      immediately before he or she reaches pension age, a person is receiving a social security payment (other than age pension) solely because of the operation of a scheduled international social security agreement; and

    2. (b)

      on reaching pension age, the person becomes qualified for age pension because of the operation of paragraph 43(1)(c) of the Social Security Act 1991;

the age pension is taken to be payable to the person under the agreement referred to in paragraph (a).

7Amendment of Schedules by regulations
  1. (1)

    The regulations may make provision amending a Schedule to this Act so as to set out in the Schedule the text of an agreement (the amending agreement) that amends, or otherwise affects the operation of, another agreement set out in the Schedule.

  2. (2)

    Regulations making provision by virtue of subsection (1) must not come into operation on a day earlier than the day on which the amending agreement comes into force for Australia.

8Addition of new scheduled international social security agreements
  1. (1)

    The regulations may add to this Act a Schedule setting out the terms of an agreement between Australia and another country if the agreement relates to reciprocity in social security or superannuation matters.

  2. (2)

    Regulations made by virtue of subsection (1) must not come into operation on a day earlier than the day on which the agreement concerned comes into operation for Australia.

9Repeal of Schedule

The regulations may repeal a Schedule to this Act.

10Parenting payment claimed under agreement

(1) If:

  1. (a)

    a scheduled international social security agreement authorises a person who is outside Australia to lodge a claim for parenting payment; and

  2. (b)

    the person, while outside Australia, lodges a claim for parenting payment; and

  3. (c)

    the person is not a member of a couple; and

  4. (d)

    the person would qualify for parenting payment if the following provisions had not been enacted:

    1. (i)

      paragraph 500(1)(b) or (c) of the Social Security Act 1991;

    2. (ii)

      subparagraph 500(1)(d)(ii) of that Act;

    3. (iii)

      subsection 5(21), (23) or (24) of that Act;

then:

  1. (e)

    in determining whether the person is qualified for parenting payment, assume that the provisions referred to in paragraph (d) had not been enacted; and

  2. (f)

    if parenting payment is payable to the person, it is taken to be payable to the person under the scheduled international social security agreement.

(2) If:

  1. (a)

    a person who is in Australia lodges a claim for parenting payment; and

  2. (b)

    the person is not a member of a couple; and

  3. (c)

    the person would qualify for parenting payment under a scheduled international social security agreement if subparagraph 500(1)(d)(ii) of the Social Security Act 1991 had not been enacted;

then:

  1. (d)

    in determining whether the person is qualified for parenting payment, assume that subparagraph 500(1)(d)(ii) of the Social Security Act 1991 had not been enacted; and

  2. (e)

    if parenting payment is payable to the person, it is taken to be payable to the person under the scheduled international social security agreement.

11Portability of international agreement pension or allowance

A social security payment payable under a scheduled international social security agreement is not payable to a person for a period when the person is outside Australia unless the agreement provides that the pension or allowance is payable outside Australia.

12Rate of pension or allowance payable under agreement where rate to be determined under law of Australia
  1. (1)

    If:

    1. (a)

      a social security payment is payable to a person under a scheduled international social security agreement; and

    2. (b)

      the person is outside Australia; and

    3. (c)

      the agreement provides for the rate of the social security payment to be determined according to the law of Australia;

the rate of the social security payment is the person’s international agreement portability rate worked out in accordance with Part 3.

  1. (2)

    A reference in the agreement to a person’s period of residence in Australia is to be taken to be a reference to the period of the person’s Australian working life residence for the purposes of this Act.

Part 3Calculation of international agreement portability ratesDivision 1Overall rate calculation process13Overall calculation process
  1. (1)

    A person’s international agreement portability rate is worked out as follows:

    1. (a)

      the period of the person’s Australian working life residence in Australia (the residence period) is worked out according to Division 2;

    2. (b)

      the person’s residence factor is worked out according to Division 3;

    3. (c)

      the person’s notional agreement pension rate is worked out by calculating the rate that would be the person’s social security payment rate if this section did not apply to the person but taking into account section 14;

    4. (d)

      if the person’s notional agreement pension rate is nil, the international agreement portability rate is also nil;

    5. (e)

      if the person’s notional agreement pension rate is not nil, add the additional child amount or amounts (that are applicable in accordance with section 14A) to the person’s notional agreement pension rate. This new amount is the person’s total notional rate;

    6. (f)

      multiply the person’s total notional rate by the person’s residence factor: the result is the person’s international agreement portability rate.

  2. (2)

    If a person’s international agreement portability rate as calculated under subsection (1) would exceed the rate (the notional rate) that would be the person’s notional agreement pension rate under that subsection if the person had a residence factor of 1, the person’s international agreement portability rate is the rate that equals the notional rate.

14Amounts to be treated as income
  1. (1)

    If a scheduled international social security agreement provides that certain amounts are to be treated as income of a person—those amounts are to be treated as income of the person for the purposes of this Part.

  2. (2)

    If a scheduled international social security agreement provides that certain amounts are to be treated as not being income of a person—those amounts are to be treated as not being income of the person for the purposes of this Part.

14AAdditional child amounts

For the purpose of the step in the calculation of a person’s international agreement portability rate that is described in paragraph 13(1)(e), the additional child amounts that may be applicable are set out in the following table. They are annual amounts. The amount in item 3 is only applicable if an amount in item 1 or 2 is to be paid to a person without a partner.

Additional child amounts

Item

Family situation

Additional child amount

1

For each dependent child under 13 years of age

$1,957.80

2

For each dependent child who has reached 13, but is under 16, years of age

$2,732.60

3

For a person without a partner

$962.00

Note: Additional child amounts are indexed annually in line with CPI increases (see sections 1190 and 1191 of the Social Security Act 1991).

Division 2Australian working life residence15Working life

For the purposes of this Division, a person’s working life is the period beginning when the person turns 16 and ending when the person reaches pension age.

16Australian working life residence generally

Subject to sections 17 and 21, a person’s period of Australian working life residence at a particular time is the number of months in the period, or the aggregate of the periods, during the person’s working life during which the person has, up to that time, been an Australian resident.

17Calculation of period of residence
  1. (1)

    If a person’s period of Australian working life residence would, apart from this subsection, be a number of whole months, the period is to be increased by one month.

  2. (2)

    If a person’s period of Australian working life residence would, apart from this subsection, be a number of whole months and a day or days, the period is to be increased so that it is equal to the number of months plus one month.

21Australian working life residence: recipient of pension PP (single)

If:

  1. (a)

    a person is receiving a pension PP (single); and

  2. (b)

    the person became qualified for the pension because the person’s former partner died; and

  3. (c)

    the partner’s period of Australian working life residence (immediately before the partner’s death) is longer than the period that would now be the person’s period of Australian working life residence under section 17;

the person’s period of Australian working life residence is to be equal to the partner’s period of Australian working life residence (immediately before the partner’s death).

Division 3Residence factor23Residence factor: Australian working life residence of 35 years or more

If a person’s period of Australian working life residence is 420 months (35 years) or more, the person’s residence factor is 1.

24Residence factor: Australian working life residence of less than 35 years

If a person’s period of Australian working life residence is less than 420 months (35 years), the person’s residence factor is the fraction represented by:

Part 4Regulations 25Regulations

The Governor‑General may make regulations prescribing matters:

  1. (a)

    required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or

  2. (b)

    necessary or convenient for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

Schedule 2Italy

PART A

Note: See section 5.

AGREEMENT ON SOCIAL SECURITY BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF ITALY

Australia and the Republic of Italy,

Wishing to strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries, and

Desiring to review the Agreement providing for reciprocity in matters relating to Social Security signed on 23 April 1986, and

Acknowledging the need to co‑ordinate further the operation of their respective social security systems and to enhance the equitable access by people who move between Australia and Italy to social security benefits provided for under the laws of both countries,

Have agreed as follows:

PART I — INTERPRETATION AND SCOPE

ARTICLE 1

Interpretation

1. In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)“supplement for children” means, in relation to Australia, the additional family payment and, if applicable, the guardian allowance that would be payable to a person in addition to a benefit under the legislation of Australia if that person were an Australian resident in Australia and qualified for that payment and, if applicable, that allowance;

(b)“Australian resident” means an Australian resident as defined in the legislation of Australia;

(c)“benefit” means, in relation to a Party, a pension or allowance for which provision is made in the legislation of that Party and includes any additional amount, increase or supplement payable in addition to that pension or allowance to a person who qualifies for that additional amount, increase or supplement under the legislation of that Party;

  1. (d)

    “competent authority” means,

in relation to Australia:

the Secretary to the Department of Social Security; and,

in relation to Italy:

the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare;

  1. (e)

    “dependants” means, in relation to Italy, persons who are within the categories of family members of an insured person or pensioner under the legislation of Italy and who are recognised by that legislation as the dependants of that person or pensioner;

  2. (f)

    “disability support pension” means, in relation to Australia, the payment made under the legislation of Australia to people who are considered to be severely disabled under that legislation;

  3. (g)

    “institution” means,

in relation to Australia:

the Department of Social Security; and

in relation to Italy:

an institution, apart from the competent authority, which is responsible for the application of this Agreement as specified in the administrative arrangements for this Agreement;

  1. (h)

    “Italian integration” means the integrazione al minimo paid to increase the amount of a benefit derived from contributions or otherwise to the minimum amount specified under the legislation of Italy;

  2. (i)

    “Italian social supplement” means that welfare benefit granted in addition to the pensions of those people who have incomes lower than the amount fixed by Italian legislation;

  3. (j)

    “legislation” means the laws specified in Article 2;

  4. (k)

    “period of Australian working life residence” means a period defined as such in the legislation of Australia;

  5. (l)

    “period of credited contributions” means a period or the total of two or more periods of contributions used to acquire an entitlement to a benefit and any period deemed to be a period of contributions under the legislation of Italy;

  6. (m)

    “spouse carer pension” means a carer pension payable, under the legislation of Australia, to the partner of a person who is in receipt of a disability support pension or of an age pension;

  7. (n)

    “survivors” means, in relation to Italy, persons who are within the categories of family members of a person who was insured or was a pensioner under the legislation of Italy and is now deceased, and who are recognised by that legislation as survivors of that person or pensioner;

  8. (o)

    “widow” means a de jure widow;

2. In the application of this Agreement by a Party, any term not defined in this Agreement shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the meaning which it has under the legislation within the scope of this Agreement, in relation to that Party, by virtue of Article 2.

ARTICLE 2

Legislative Scope

1. Subject to paragraph 2, this Agreement shall apply to the following laws, as amended at the date of signature of this Agreement, and to any laws that subsequently amend, supplement or replace them:

  1. (a)

    in relation to Australia: the Social Security Act 1991 in so far as the Act provides for, applies to or affects the following benefits:

(i) age pension;

(ii) disability support pension

(iii) wife pension;

(iv) pensions payable to widows;

(v) widowed person allowance;

(vi) spouse carer pension;

(vii) double orphan pension; and

(viii) supplements for children.

  1. (b)

    in relation to Italy: the legislation in force at the date of signature of this Agreement and any legislation that subsequently amends, supplements or replaces that legislation, concerning the compulsory general insurance scheme for employees in regard to invalidity, old age and survivors; special insurance schemes for self‑employed persons and other categories of workers; family benefits for dependants of pensioners and unemployment insurance and, in particular, the following benefits:

(i) old age pensions;

(ii) seniority pensions;

(iii) anticipated pensions;

(iv) invalidity allowances;

(v) inability pensions;

(vi) privileged invalidity allowances;

(vii) privileged inability pensions;

(viii) invalidity attendance allowance;

(ix) survivors’ pensions;

(x) family benefit for dependants of pensioners; and

(xi) unemployment allowances.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, and unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, the legislation of Australia and Italy shall not include any laws made at any time for the purpose of giving effect to any agreement on social security.

3. The competent authorities of the Parties shall advise each other of legislation that amends, supplements or replaces the legislation within the scope of this Agreement promptly after the first‑mentioned legislation is enacted.

ARTICLE 3

Personal Scope

This Agreement shall apply to any person who:

  1. (a)

    is or has been an Australian resident; and/or

  2. (b)

    has credited contributions under the legislation of Italy,

and, where applicable, to dependants and survivors in regard to entitlements they may derive from the person mentioned in this Article.

ARTICLE 4

Equality of Treatment

1. The citizens of each of the Parties shall be treated equally in the application of the legislation of Australia and of Italy respectively and, in any case where qualification for a benefit under the legislation of a Party depends, in whole or in part, on citizenship of that Party, a person who is a citizen of the other Party shall, for the purposes of a claim for that benefit, be deemed to be a citizen of the first mentioned Party.

2. All persons to whom this Agreement applies shall be treated equally by the Parties in regard to entitlements and obligations derived from the legislation of the Parties and from this Agreement.

3. A Party shall not be required to apply paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article to a person who is present in the territory of that Party without lawful authority.

PART II — PROVISIONS RELATING TO BENEFITS

AUSTRALIAN BENEFITS

ARTICLE 5

Residence or Presence in Italy or in a Third Country

1. Subject to paragraph 2, where a person would be qualified for a benefit under the legislation of Australia or under this Agreement except for not being an Australian resident and in Australia on the date on which the claim for that benefit is lodged, but:

  1. (a)

    is an Australian resident or residing in the territory of Italy or of a third country with which Australia has implemented an agreement that includes provision for co‑operation in the lodgement and determination of claims for benefits, and

  2. (b)

    is in Australia, the territory of Italy or the territory of that third country,

that person, so long as he or she has been an Australian resident at some time, shall be deemed, for the purpose of lodging that claim, to be an Australian resident and in Australia.

2. The requirement for a person to have been an Australian resident at some time shall not apply to a person who claims a double orphan pension in accordance with Article 9.

ARTICLE 6

Partner‑related Australian benefits

A person who receives or is qualified to receive a benefit under the legislation of Australia due to the fact that his or her partner receives or is qualified to receive an Australian benefit by virtue of this Agreement, shall receive a rate calculated under this Agreement.

ARTICLE 7

Totalisation of Periods of Residence and Periods of Contributions

Totalisation for Australia

1. Where a person to whom this Agreement applies has accumulated:

  1. (a)

    a period as an Australian resident that is less than the period required to qualify that person, on that ground, under the legislation of Australia for a benefit; and

  2. (b)

    a period of Australian working life residence equal to or greater than the minimum period identified for that person in paragraph 4; and

  3. (c)

    a period of credited contributions in Italy;

then that period of credited contributions shall be deemed, only for the purposes of meeting any minimum qualifying period for that benefit set out in the legislation of Australia, to be a period when that person was an Australian resident.

2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, where a person:

  1. (a)

    has been an Australian resident for a continuous period which is less than the minimum period of continuous residence required by the legislation of Australia for entitlement of that person to a benefit; and

  2. (b)

    has accumulated a period of credited contributions in Italy in 2 or more separate periods that equals or exceeds in total the period referred to in sub‑paragraph (a);

the total of the periods of credited contributions shall be deemed to be one continuous period.

3. For the purposes of this Article, where a period as an Australian resident and a period of credited contributions coincide, the period of coincidence shall be taken into account once only by Australia as a period as an Australian resident.

4. The minimum period of Australian working life residence to be taken into account for the purposes of sub‑paragraph 1(b) shall be as follows:

  1. (a)

    for the purposes of an Australian benefit payable to a person outside Australia: the minimum period required shall be 12 months, of which at least 6 months must be continuous; and

  2. (b)

    for the purposes of an Australian benefit payable to an Australian resident in Australia: no minimum period of Australian working life residence shall be required.

5. For the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2 and for the purpose of a claim by a woman for a pension payable to a widow, that woman shall be deemed to have accumulated a period of credited contributions for any period her late husband accumulated a period of credited contributions, but any period during which the woman and her late husband both accumulated periods of credited contributions shall be taken into account once only.

ARTICLE 8

Calculation of Australian Benefits

1. Subject to the provisions of this Article, where an Australian benefit, other than a double orphan pension, is payable under this agreement or otherwise to a person who is outside Australia, the rate of that benefit shall be determined according to the legislation of Australia but, when assessing the income of that person for the purposes of calculating the rate of the Australian benefit, benefits paid or due under the legislation of Italy shall be assessed in the following way:

  1. (a)

    any Italian integration and/or social supplement and family benefit for the dependants of pensioners included in the total amount of that Italian benefit shall be disregarded;

  2. (b)

    the social pension paid by Italy as non‑contributory welfare support shall be disregarded; and

  3. (c)

    only a proportion of any other Italian benefit shall be assessed by multiplying the number of whole months of Australian working life residence used for that person (but not exceeding 300) by the amount of that other Italian benefit and by dividing the result by 300.

2. A person referred to in paragraph 1 shall be entitled to receive the concessional treatment of income described in sub‑paragraph (c) only for any period during which the rate of that person’s Australian benefit is proportionalised.

3. Subject to the related provisions in this Article, where an Australian benefit, other than a double orphan pension, is payable under this agreement to a person who is an Australian resident and in Australia, the rate of that benefit shall be determined by:

  1. (a)

    calculating that person’s income according to the legislation of Australia but disregarding in that calculation any Italian benefit (including any Italian integration and/or social supplement and family benefit for dependants of pensioners) to which that person is entitled;

  2. (b)

    deducting that Italian benefit (including any Italian integration and/or social supplement and family benefit for dependants of pensioners) from the maximum rate of the Australian benefit; and

  3. (c)

    applying to the Australian benefit remaining, after the application of sub‑paragraph (b), the relevant rate calculation set out in the legislation of Australia, using as the person’s income the result from the application of sub‑paragraph (a).

4. For the purposes of this Article and for the application of the legislation of Australia, where a member of a couple is, or both his or her partner are, entitled to receive an Italian benefit or benefits, each of them shall be deemed to be in receipt of one half of either the amount of that benefit or of the total of the benefits, as the case may be.

ARTICLE 9

Double Orphan Pension and Spouse Carer pension

1. Where a double orphan pension would be payable to a person under the legislation of Australia, in respect of a young person whose sole surviving parent died while that young person was an Australian resident, if that person and that young person were inhabitants of Australia, that pension shall, subject to the provisions of those laws, be payable while that person and that young person are residents of Italy.

2. For the purposes of qualification for a spouse carer pension under this Agreement, a person who is in Italy shall be regarded as being in Australia.

ARTICLE 10

Exclusion of Specified Italian Payments from the Australian Income Test

1. Subject to paragraph 3 of Article 8 and paragraph 2 of this Article, where a person receives or is entitled to receive a benefit under the legislation of Australia by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise and that person and or that person’s partner receive an Italian benefit or benefits which include Italian integration and/or Italian social supplement and/or family benefits for dependants of pensioners, that integration, social supplement and family benefits for dependants of pensioners shall not be included as income for the purposes of assessing the rate of that Australian benefit.

2. For the purposes of this Article only, the term “benefit” shall include job search, newstart and sickness allowances payable under the social security laws of Australia.

ITALIAN BENEFITS

ARTICLE 11

Totalisation of Periods of Contributions and Periods of Residence

Totalisation for Italy

1. Where a person to whom this Agreement applies has accumulated:

  1. (a)

    a period of credited contributions in Italy that is less than the period required to qualify that person under the legislation of Italy for a benefit; and

  2. (b)

    a period of credited contributions equal to or greater than the minimum period identified for that benefit for that person in paragraph 2; and

  3. (c)

    a period of Australian working life residence;

then that period of Australian working life residence shall be deemed, for the purposes of meeting any minimum qualifying period for that benefit set out in the legislation of Italy, to be a period of credited contributions.

2. The minimum period of credited contributions in Italy to be taken into account for the purposes of paragraph 1 shall be as follows:

  1. (a)

    for old age pension: 1 year;

  2. (b)

    for anticipated pension: 1 year;

  3. (c)

    for seniority pension: 15 years;

  4. (d)

    for invalidity allowance: 1 year;

  5. (e)

    for inability pension: 1 year;

  6. (f)

    for privileged invalidity pension allowance: 1 year;

  7. (g)

    for privileged inability pension: 1 year; and

  8. (h)

    for survivor’s pension: 1 year.

3. For the purposes of voluntary insurance under the legislation of Italy, a period of credited contributions in Italy in relation to a person shall be combined, where necessary, with any period of Australian working life residence accumulated by that person, provided the first‑mentioned period totals at least one year.

4. For all purposes of this Article, where a period of credited contributions and a period of Australian working life residence coincide, the period of coincidence shall be taken into account once only by Italy as a period of contributions.

ARTICLE 12

Italian Pro‑Rata Benefits

1. The amount of Italian benefit payable to a person through the application of Article 11 shall be determined as follows:

  1. (a)

    the amount of the theoretical benefit to which the person concerned would be entitled shall be established as if the period of credited contributions in Italy, and the period of Australian working life residence referred to in sub‑paragraph 1(c) of Article 11, and accumulated to the date from which the benefit would be payable to that person, had accumulated under the legislation of Italy; and

  2. (b)

    the amount of benefit payable shall be that amount which bears to the amount referred to in sub‑paragraph (a) the same ratio as that period of credited contributions bears to the sum of that period of credited contributions and that period of Australian working life residence for that person.

2. If the sum of the periods referred to in sub‑paragraph 1(b) exceeds the maximum period provided for by the legislation of Italy for entitlement to the maximum rate of the benefit concerned, the maximum period shall be substituted for that sum in calculations made in accordance with that sub‑paragraph.

3. The calculation of a rate in relation to a person in accordance with paragraph 1 shall take into account only the salary or income of that person which was subject to contributions under the legislation of Italy.

4. If a person resides in Italy and is entitled to benefits under the legislation of both Parties and the total of these benefits is less than the minimum pension amount (trattamento minimo di pensione) specified under the legislation of Italy, the Italian institution shall pay, in addition to its benefit, the Italian integration needed to reach the said minimum pension amount.

ARTICLE 13

Exclusion of Specified Australian Payments from the Italian Income Test

Where a person receives or is entitled to receive a benefit under the legislation of Italy by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise and that benefit includes an Italian integration, Italian social supplement and or family allowance for dependants of pensioners, any supplements for children paid to that person and or that person’s partner under the social security laws of Australia shall not be included as income for the purposes of assessing the rate of that Italian integration, Italian social supplement and or family benefit.

ARTICLE 14

Unemployment Allowance

For the purposes of eligibility by a citizen of Australia or of Italy for unemployment allowance under the social security laws of Italy, any periods of employment accumulated in Australia by that person, other than periods of self‑employment, shall be totalised with periods of credited contributions in Italy for that person, if those last‑mentioned periods total one year or more.

ARTICLE 15

Family Benefits

Family benefits payable under the legislation of Italy:

  1. (a)

    shall be payable under this Agreement to Australian residents who are receiving an Italian benefit payable under the social security laws of Italy, whether those persons are citizens of Australia or of Italy; and

  2. (b)

    shall not preclude the payment of family payments under the social security laws of Australia, including those laws as modified or adapted by laws giving effect to an agreement on social security with a third country,

and shall, for the purpose of reciprocity under this Agreement, be regarded as the Italian benefit equivalent to those Australian benefits described as:

  1. (c)

    wife pension;

  2. (d)

    spouse carer pension; and

  3. (e)

    supplements for children.

PART III — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

ARTICLE 16

Lodgement of Claims

1. A claim for benefit, under this Agreement or otherwise, may be lodged:

  1. (a)

    in the territory of either Party in accordance with the administrative arrangements for this Agreement; or

  2. (b)

    in a third country if that country is of the kind referred to in Article 5,

at any time after the Agreement enters into force.

2. Where a claim for a benefit of a Party is lodged in the territory of the other Party or in a third country in accordance with paragraph 1, the date on which the claim is lodged shall be the date of lodgement of the claim for all purposes relating to the claim.

ARTICLE 17

Determination of Claims

1. In determining the entitlement of a person to a benefit under this Agreement:

  1. (a)

    a period of Australian residence and a period of credited contributions; and

  2. (b)

    any event relevant to that entitlement,

shall, subject to this Agreement, be taken into account in so far as those periods or those events are applicable in regard to that person and whether they were accumulated or occurred before or after the date on which this Agreement enters into force.

2. The start date for the payment of a benefit under this Agreement shall be determined by the legislation of the Party concerned and in no case shall that date be a date earlier than the entry into force of this Agreement.

3. Where:

  1. (a)

    a claim is made for a benefit payable by one of the Parties, whether by virtue of this Agreement of otherwise; and

  2. (b)

    there are reasonable grounds for believing that the claimant may also be entitled, whether by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise, to a benefit (in this Article called “assumed benefit”), that is payable by the other Party and that, if paid, would affect the amount of the first‑mentioned benefit,

that claim may be determined by the first‑mentioned Party as if the assumed benefit were in fact being paid to that claimant.

4. Where a claim for a benefit is determined in accordance with the preceding paragraph 3 and it is subsequently established that the amount of the assumed benefit in relation to that person was not in fact paid, any deficiency in the payment of the first‑mentioned benefit shall be adjusted retrospectively.

5. Where:

  1. (a)

    it appears that a person who is entitled to the payment of a benefit by one of the Parties might also be entitled to the payment of a benefit by the other Party, in either case whether by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise;

  2. (b)

    the amount of the benefit that might be paid by that other Party would affect the amount of the benefit payable by the first‑mentioned Party; and

  3. (c)

    the amount that could be due in respect of the benefit by that other Party, whether by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise, is likely to include an adjustment for arrears of that benefit,

then

  1. (d)

    that other Party shall, if the first‑mentioned Party so requests, pay the amount of those arrears to the first‑mentioned Party; and

  2. (e)

    the first mentioned Party may deduct from the amount of those arrears any excess amount of the benefit paid by it and shall pay any balance remaining to that person.

ARTICLE 18

Portability of Benefits

1. Benefits of one Party are also payable in the territory of the other Party.

2. Where the legislation of a Party provides that a benefit is payable outside the territory of that Party, then that benefit, when payable under this Agreement, is also payable outside the territories of both Parties.

3. Where qualification for a benefit of one Party is subject to limitations as to time, then references to that Party in those limitations shall be read also as references to the territory of the other Party.

4. A benefit payable by a Party under this Agreement shall be paid by that Party without deduction for government administrative fees and charges for processing and paying that benefit whether paid in the territory of the other Party or outside the respective territories of both Parties.

ARTICLE 19

Administrative Arrangements

The competent authorities of the Parties shall make whatever administrative arrangements are necessary to implement this Agreement.

ARTICLE 20

Exchange of Information and Mutual Assistance

1. The competent authorities and institutions responsible for the application of this Agreement:

  1. (a)

    shall communicate to each other any information necessary for the application of this Agreement and of their respective social security laws;

  2. (b)

    shall lend their good offices and furnish assistance to one another, including the communication to each other of any necessary information, with regard to the determination or payment of any benefit under this Agreement or under the social security laws of either Party as if the matter involved the application of their own legislation;

  3. (c)

    shall communicate to each other, as soon as possible, all information about the measures taken by them for the application of this Agreement or about changes in their respective legislation in so far as those changes affect the application of this Agreement; and

  4. (d)

    at the request of one to the other, assist each other in relation to the implementation of agreements on social security entered into by either of the parties with third countries, to the extent and in the circumstances specified in the administrative arrangements for this Agreement.

2. The assistance referred to in paragraph 1 shall be provided free of charge, subject to any administrative arrangements made pursuant to Article 19.

3. Any information about a person transmitted under this Agreement to an institution shall be protected in the same manner as information obtained under the legislation of that Party.

4. In no case shall the provisions of paragraph 1 be construed so as to impose on the competent authority or the institution of a Party the obligation:

  1. (a)

    to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws or the administrative practice of that or the other Party; or

  2. (b)

    to supply particulars which are not obtainable under the laws or in the normal course of the administration of that or the other Party.

5. In the application of the Agreement, the competent authorities and the institutions of a Party may communicate in its official language with the other Party.

ARTICLE 21

Appeals

1. Any person affected by a determination, direction, decision or approval made or given by the competent authority or institution of a Party, in relation to a matter arising under this Agreement, shall have the same rights to a review by administrative and judicial bodies of that Party of that determination, direction, decision or approval as are provided under the laws of that Party.

2. An appeal and documents related to an appeal in accordance with paragraph 1, may be lodged in the territory of either Party in line with the administrative arrangements for this agreement.

3. Subject to paragraph 4, the date on which appeals and related document are lodged in accordance with paragraph 2 with the institution of one Party shall be regarded as the date of lodgement of those appeals and related documents with the institution of the other Party.

4. In relation to Australia, the reference in this Article to an appeal document is a reference to a document concerning an appeal that may be made to an administrative body established by the social security laws of Australia.

ARTICLE 22

Review of Agreement

1. The Parties may agree at any time to review the whole or any part of this Agreement.

2. Subject to paragraph 1, the Parties shall consult regarding a review of this Agreement and its implementation after the Agreement has been in force for 4 years.

3. Where a party amends, supplements or replaces its legislation, the Parties shall, if one Party so requests, consult on any consequences of that change to the legislation and on the continuing implementation of the Agreement including on whether an amendment to the Agreement is necessary.

PART IV — FINAL PROVISIONS

ARTICLE 23

Entry into Force and Transitional Provisions

1. This Agreement shall be ratified by both Parties in accordance with their respective procedures and shall enter into force on the first day of the month following that in which there has been an exchange of instruments of ratification.

2. When this Agreement enters into force the Agreement between Australia and the Republic of Italy on Social Security signed on 23 April 1986 shall, subject to paragraph 3, terminate.

3. Subject to paragraph 4, where, on the date on which this Agreement enters into force, a person:

  1. (a)

    is in receipt of a benefit under the legislation of either Party by virtue of the Agreement which was signed on 23 April 1986; or

  2. (b)

    is qualified to receive a benefit referred to in subparagraph (a) and, where a claim for that benefit is required, has claimed that benefit,

no provision of this Agreement shall affect that person’s qualification to receive that benefit.

4. Th rate of a benefit for which a person is qualified by virtue of paragraph 3 shall, subject to this Agreement, be assessed in accordance with the provisions of the legislation of the relevant Party.

5. Where a resident of Italy:

(a) was in receipt of a widow B pension from Australia and had that pension cancelled because of the enactment of section 1215 of the Social Security Act 1991; or

(b) had applied for a widow B pension on or before 30 June 1992 but that application had not been determined by that date,

then that cancelled pension shall be reinstated back to the date of cancellation or that application shall be determined as if section 1215 had not been enacted.

The rate of the reinstated widow B pension or of the widow B pension paid under any successful application shall be calculated under the provisions of the Agreement mentioned in paragraph 2 of this Article until this Agreement comes into force and thereafter shall be calculated under this Agreement.

ARTICLE 24

Termination

1. Subject to paragraph 2, this Agreement shall remain in force until the expiration of 12 months from the date on which either Party receives from the other written notice through the diplomatic channel of the intention to terminate this Agreement.

2. In the event this Agreement is terminated in accordance with paragraph 1, the Agreement shall continue to have effect in relation to all persons who:

  1. (a)

    at the date of termination, are in receipt of benefits under this Agreement; or

  2. (b)

    before the expiry of the period referred to in that paragraph, have lodged claims for, and would be entitled to receive, benefits under this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, duly authorised thereto, have signed this Agreement.

Done in duplicate at Rome the thirteenth day of September 1993, in the English and Italian languages, both texts being equally authoritiative.

FOR AUSTRALIA FOR THE REPUBLIC

OF ITALY

[Signatures omitted]

PART B

EXCHANGE OF NOTES CONSTITUTING AN AGREEMENT, DONE AT CANBERRA ON 31 MAY 2000, AMENDING AND CLARIFYING THE AGREEMENT ON SOCIAL SECURITY BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF ITALY OF 13 SEPTEMBER 1993

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade presents its compliments to the Embassy of Italy and has the honour to refer to the Agreement on Social Security between Australia and the Republic of Italy, done at Rome on 13 September 1993 (“the Agreement”) and to recent discussions between the relevant authorities of Australia and the Republic of Italy.

The Department notes that since the agreement was signed there have been changes to the legislation of both Parties which affect the interpretation and implementation of the Agreement.

Therefore the Department has the honour to propose the following amendments to, and clarifications of the Agreement:

1. The definition in Article 1.1(g) of the Agreement shall be read as follows:

“(g) institution – means an institution apart from the competent authority, which is responsible for the application of this Agreement as specified in the administrative arrangements for this Agreement.”

2. The definition in Article 1.1(h) of “Italian integration” shall be read so as to include also the differential amount according to Law 335/95 of Italy in addition to that which is already covered in that definition.

3. The benefit referred to as “carer pension” in Article 1.1(m) shall read “carer payment”.

4. The benefit referred to as “widowed person allowance” in sub‑paragraph (v) of Article 2.1(a) shall read “bereavement allowance”.

5. In the interpretation of Article 8.1 where reference is made to the rate of the benefit being determined under Australian legislation, that rate shall always be read so as not to exceed the rate payable to the relevant person if that person were in Australia and had met the residential requirements for that benefit.

If the foregoing proposal is acceptable to the Embassy of Italy, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has the honour to propose that this Note and the reply from the Embassy of Italy to that effect, shall constitute an agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Italy, which shall enter into force on the same day as the Agreement enters into force.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of Italy the assurance of its highest consideration.

The Embassy of Italy presents its compliments to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and has the honour to refer to the Department’s Note No. LGB 00/838 of 31 May 2000 which reads as follows:

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade presents its compliments to the Embassy of Italy and has the honour to refer to the Agreement on Social Security between Australia and the Republic of Italy, done at Rome on 13 September 1993 (“the Agreement”) and to recent discussions between the relevant authorities of Australia and the Republic of Italy.

The Department notes that since the Agreement was signed there have been changes to the legislation of both Parties which affect the interpretation and implementation of the Agreement.

Therefore the Department has the honour to propose the following amendments to and clarifications of the Agreement:

1. The definition in Article 1.1(g) of the agreement shall be read as follows: “(g) institution – means an institution apart from the competent authority which is responsible for the application of this Agreement as specified in the administrative arrangements for this Agreement,”

2. The definition in Article 1.1(h) of “Italian integration” shall be read so as to include also the differential amount according to Law 335/95 of Italy in addition to that which is already covered in that definition.

3. The benefit referred to as “carer pension” in Article 1.1(m) shall read “carer payment”.

4. The benefit referred to as “widowed person allowance” in sub‑paragraph (v) of Article 2.1(a) shall read “bereavement allowance”.

5. In the interpretation of Article 8.1 where reference is made to the rate of the benefit being determined under Australian legislation, that rate shall always be read so as not to exceed the rate payable to the relevant person if that person were in Australia and had met the residential requirements for that benefit.

If the foregoing proposal is acceptable to the Embassy of Italy, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has the honour to propose that this Note and the reply from the Embassy of Italy to that effect, shall constitute an agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Italy, which shall enter into force on the same day as the Agreement enters into force.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of Italy the assurance of its highest consideration.”

The Embassy of Italy has the honour to confirm that the foregoing is acceptable to the Government of the Republic of Italy and that the Department’s Note and this reply shall together constitute an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Italy and the Government of Australia which shall enter into force on the date the Agreement enters into force.

The Embassy of Italy avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade the assurances of its highest consideration.

Embassy of Italy

Canberra

31 May 2000

Schedule 3New Zealand

Note: See section 5.

PART A

AGREEMENT ON SOCIAL SECURITY

BETWEEN

THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA

AND

THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND

The Government of Australia, and

The Government of New Zealand

Referred to in this Agreement as “the Parties”

WISHING to strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries, and

DESIRING to coordinate the operation of their respective social security systems and to enhance the equitable access by people covered by this Agreement to specified social security benefits provided for under the laws of both countries, and

WISHING to modify and replace the Agreement providing for matters relating to social security entered into at Canberra on 28 March 2001, as amended on 21 February 2002

HAVE agreed as follows:

PART I

DEFINITIONS AND SCOPE

ARTICLE 1

Definitions

1. In this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) “Australian resident” has the meaning given to it under Article 5;

(b) “benefit”, in relation to a Party, means the benefits as listed and defined in Article 2 and, unless otherwise stated, includes any amount, increase or supplement that is payable in addition to that benefit or in respect of a person who is eligible for that amount, increase or supplement under the social security law of that Party;

(c) “competent authority”, in relation to New Zealand, means the chief executive of the department for the time being responsible for the implementation of the Social Security Act 2016 and in relation to Australia, the Secretary of the Australian Government department responsible for the legislation specified in Article 2(1)(a);

(d) “competent institution”, in relation to a Party, means the institution or institutions that are responsible for the administration or implementation of the social security law of that Party;

(e) “date of severe disablement” means the date a person who applies for a disability support pension or supported living payment was first assessed as meeting the criteria for a disability support pension or supported living payment under this Agreement or, where evidence supports an earlier date, the competent institutions may agree on an earlier date;

(f) “legislation” in relation to a Party, means the laws, orders and regulations of that Party specified in Article 2;

(g) “living alone”, in relation to New Zealand superannuation or veteran’s pension, has the meaning given to it under the social security law of New Zealand; and “not living alone” has a corresponding meaning;

(h) “month”, in relation to New Zealand, means a calendar month, but where fractions of a month are to be aggregated, a month means 30 days;

(i) “New Zealand resident” has the meaning given to it under Article 5;

(j) “pension age”, means the qualifying age for New Zealand superannuation or the qualifying age for the Australian age pension, whichever is the higher age at the relevant time. For the avoidance of doubt, the “pension age” so determined will operate as the qualifying age wherever the “pension age” is referred to in this Agreement, irrespective of whether it is in the Australian or New Zealand context;

(k) “permanent resident of Australia” has the meaning given to it under Article 5;

(l) “present long term” means when a person is physically present in the territory of either Party and either has been in the territory of that Party for at least 26 weeks, or intends to remain in the territory of that Party for one year or more;

(m) “severely disabled” means a person who:

(i) has a physical impairment, a psychiatric impairment, an intellectual impairment, or two or all of such impairments, which makes the person, without taking into account any other factor, totally unable:

(ii) to work for at least the next 2 years; and

(iii) unable to benefit within the next 2 years from participation in a program of assistance or a rehabilitation program; or

(iv) is permanently blind;

For the avoidance of doubt, a person can be severely disabled even if they are not of working age.

(n) “social security law” means,

(i) in relation to Australia, the Social Security Act 1991, the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and the Social Security (International Agreements) Act 1999; and

(ii) in relation to New Zealand the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001, the Social Security Act2016 and the Orders in Council and Regulations made under those Acts;

(o) “supported living payment” means a New Zealand payment on the grounds of sickness, injury, disability, or total blindness but does not include a payment on the grounds of caring for a person requiring full‑time care;

(p) “territory”, in relation to New Zealand, means: New Zealand only and not the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau; and, in relation to Australia, means: Australia as defined in the social security law of Australia; and references to “New Zealand”, “Australia” or the “territory” of either shall be read accordingly;

(q) “third country” means a country other than Australia or New Zealand;

(r) “third country pension” in relation to New Zealand, means an overseas pension as defined in the social security law of New Zealand and, in relation to Australia, means a comparable foreign payment as defined in the social security law of Australia;

(s) “third country residence” has the meaning given to it under Article 5;

(t) “working age residence” has the meaning given to it under Article 5;

(u) “year” means 12 calendar months;

(v) “1994 Agreement” means the Agreement on Social Security between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of Australia done at Wellington on 19 July 1994, as amended on 7 September 1995 and 2 July 1998;

(w)“1994 Agreement benefit” means a benefit defined in the 1994 Agreement in Article 2, paragraph 1, subparagraphs (a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii); and

  1. (x)

    “2001 Agreement” means the Agreement on social security between the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand, signed on the twenty‑eighth day of March 2001 as amended by an Exchange of Notes completed on the twenty‑first day of February 2002 (entered into force 1 July 2002).

2. In the application by a Party of this Agreement in relation to a person, any term not defined in this Article shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the meaning assigned to it in the social security law of either Party.

ARTICLE 2

Legislative Scope

1. Except as provided under paragraph 2, this Agreement shall apply to the following laws, as amended at the date of signature of this Agreement, and to any legislation that subsequently amends, supplements, consolidates or replaces them:

(a) in relation to Australia: the Acts forming the social security law in so far as those Acts provide for, apply to or affect the following benefits:

(i) age pension;

(ii) disability support pension;

(iii) carer payment in respect of the partner of a person who is in receipt of a disability support pension; and

(b) in relation to New Zealand: the social security law and the Veteran’s Support Act 2014 insofar as they provide for, apply to or affect the following benefits:

(i) New Zealand superannuation;

(ii) veteran’s pension; and

(iii) supported living payment.

2. For the purposes of this Agreement an Australian disability support pension and a New Zealand supported living payment shall be limited to cases where:

(a) the person is severely disabled;

(b) the person was a resident of one of the Parties at the date they became severely disabled; and

(c) the person, prior to the date of severe disablement, was residing in the territory of the other Party for a period of not less than one year at any time.

ARTICLE 3

Personal Scope

This Agreement shall apply to any person who:

(a) is or has been an Australian resident; or

(b) is or has been a New Zealand resident.

ARTICLE 4

Equality of Treatment

Except as provided for in this Agreement, the persons to whom this Agreement applies shall be treated equally by each of the Parties in regards to rights and obligations that arise under the social security law of that Party or as a result of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 5

Residence Definitions

1. “Australian resident” has the meaning given to that term in the social security law of Australia but for the purposes of the Agreement also includes a New Zealand citizen who is not the holder of an Australian permanent visa but is lawfully residing in Australia on a special category visa. In deciding whether a person is residing in Australia, regard must be had to the following factors:

(a) the nature of the accommodation used by the person in Australia;

(b) the nature and extent of the family relationships the person has in Australia;

(c) the nature and extent of the person’s employment, business or financial ties with Australia;

(d) the nature and extent of the person’s assets located in Australia;

(e) the frequency and duration of the person’s travel outside Australia; and

(f) any other matter relevant to determining whether the person intends to remain permanently in Australia;

and “residence in Australia” has a corresponding meaning.

2. “New Zealand resident” means, a person who has or had New Zealand as their principal place of residence except where that person was unlawfully resident or present in New Zealand or lawfully resident or present in New Zealand only by virtue of:

(a) a visitor’s permit;

(b) a temporary work permit; or

(c) a permit to be in New Zealand for the purposes of study at a New Zealand school or university or other tertiary educational establishment;

and “residence in New Zealand” has a corresponding meaning.

3. “permanent resident of Australia” means a person who resides in Australia and is one of the following:

(a) an Australian citizen;

(b) the holder of a permanent visa; or

(c) a protected special category visa holder as defined under the social security law of Australia.

4. “third country residence” means a period of residence when a person was not either an Australian resident or a New Zealand resident.

5. “working age residence” means a period of residence in the territory of a Party from the age of 20 until the qualifying age for age pension in Australia or the qualifying age for New Zealand Superannuation, whichever is relevant, (up to a maximum of 45 years). It does not include any period deemed pursuant to Article 8 or Article 12 to be a period in which a person was an Australian resident or a New Zealand resident. For the purposes of Articles 9, 10 and 13, if a person’s period of working age residence would, apart from this point, be a number of whole months, or a number of whole months and a day or days, the period is to be increased so that it is equal to the number of months plus one month.

PART II

PROVISIONS RELATING TO NEW ZEALAND BENEFITS

ARTICLE 6

Residence in Australia

1. Where a person would be entitled to receive a benefit under the social security law of New Zealand (including a person who would be entitled under Article 8) except that he or she is not ordinarily resident and resident and present in New Zealand on the date of application for that benefit, that person shall be deemed, for the purposes of that application, to be ordinarily resident and resident and present in New Zealand on that date, if he or she:

(a) is either:

(i) ordinarily resident and present in Australia; or

(ii) present long term in Australia; and

(b) has been a New Zealand resident at any time in his or her life for a continuous period of at least one year since attaining the age of 20 years; and

(c) in the case of New Zealand superannuation or a veteran’s pension, has reached pension age under this Agreement.

2. Subject to this Agreement, where a person is entitled to receive a benefit under the social security law of New Zealand (including a person who is entitled under paragraph 1, or Article 7, or both) but payment of that benefit is conditional on presence in New Zealand, that person shall be deemed, for the purpose of the payment of that benefit, to be present in New Zealand, if he or she is ordinarily resident and present in Australia.

3. For the purposes of this Part, if a person who is ordinarily resident in Australia is temporarily absent from Australia for a continuous period that does not exceed 26 weeks, the period of temporary absence from Australia shall not be considered as interrupting that person’s residence in Australia.

4. In the case of a person who has reached pension age under this Agreement, New Zealand superannuation or a veteran’s pension which would otherwise be payable to a person in New Zealand shall continue to be payable for up to 26 weeks after the person’s departure from New Zealand if that person departs New Zealand with the intention of becoming ordinarily resident in Australia and applies to receive New Zealand superannuation or veteran’s pension under the Agreement within 26 weeks of that person’s departure from New Zealand.

5. A supported living payment which would otherwise be payable to New Zealand shall continue to be payable for up to 4 weeks after the person’s departure from New Zealand if that person departs New Zealand with the intention of becoming ordinarily resident in Australia and applies to receive a supported living payment under the Agreement within 4 weeks of that person’s departure from New Zealand.

6. If an application referred to in paragraphs 4 and 5 is granted under the Agreement, the rate of New Zealand benefit payable after the date of grant shall be the rate payable in accordance with the Agreement. If the application is declined, the New Zealand benefit first referred to in that paragraph shall only be payable in Australia after the date of that decision if the person is entitled to receive that payment under New Zealand domestic law.

7. No New Zealand benefit shall be granted to a person who is in receipt of a benefit under the 1994 Agreement at the time that this Agreement comes into force unless that person ceases to be in receipt of that 1994 Agreement benefit.

8. Except as provided in paragraph 9, a person who is ordinarily resident in Australia is not entitled to receive, or to continue to receive, a supported living payment if the person:

(a) reaches pension age under this Agreement; and

(b) is entitled to receive New Zealand superannuation or a veteran’s pension, under this Article or otherwise.

9. A person who is ordinarily resident in Australia and is married, in a civil union, or in a de facto relationship, is not entitled to receive, or continue to receive, a supported living payment if both the person and his or her spouse or partner have reached pension age.

ARTICLE 7

Presence in New Zealand

1. Where a person would be entitled to receive a benefit under the social security law of New Zealand (including a person who would be entitled under Article 8) except that he or she is not ordinarily resident and present in New Zealand on the day of the application for that benefit, that person shall be deemed, for the purposes of that application, to be ordinarily resident and present in New Zealand on that date if he or she:

(a) is present long term in New Zealand;

(b) qualifies for an Australian benefit that is payable at a rate prescribed under Article 13; and

(c) in the case of New Zealand superannuation or a veteran’s pension, has reached pension age under this Agreement.

2. Where a person is entitled to receive a New Zealand benefit under paragraph 1, the amount payable shall be calculated in accordance with, and subject to the conditions of, the social security law of New Zealand.

ARTICLE 8

Totalisation for New Zealand

1. In determining whether a person meets the residential qualifications for a New Zealand superannuation or a veteran’s pension, the competent institution of New Zealand shall deem a period of Australian working age residence to be a period during which that person was both a New Zealand resident and present in New Zealand.

2. In determining whether a person meets the residential qualifications for a supported living payment, the competent institution of New Zealand shall deem a period as an Australian resident to be a period during which that person was both a New Zealand resident and present in New Zealand.

3. For purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2, where a period of residence in New Zealand and a period of residence in Australia coincide, the period of coincidence shall be taken into account only once as a period of residence in New Zealand.

4. The minimum period in Australia to be taken into account for the purposes of:

(a) paragraph 1, shall be 12 months working age residence, of which 6 months must be continuous; and

(b) paragraph 2, shall be 12 months residence, of which 6 months must be continuous.

5. This Article shall not apply to a claimant for New Zealand superannuation or a veteran’s pension who has not reached pension age under this Agreement.

ARTICLE 9

Rate of New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions in Australia

1. Except as provided in paragraph 3, where a person in Australia is entitled to receive New Zealand superannuation or a veteran’s pension under Article 6, the amount of that benefit shall be calculated in accordance with the following formula:

  1. number of whole months New Zealand working age residence x

    maximum benefit rate

    540

    subject to the following provisions:

    (a) all periods of working age residence in New Zealand shall be aggregated;

    (b) the maximum benefit rate shall be:

    (i) in the case of a single person, the maximum rate of benefit (less a percentage agreed in writing from time to time by the competent authorities and published in the New Zealand Gazette) payable under the social security law of New Zealand to a single person who is not living alone; and

    (ii) in the case of a person who is married, in a civil union or in a de facto relationship, the maximum rate of benefit (less a percentage agreed in writing from time to time by the competent authorities and published in the New Zealand Gazette) payable under the social security law of New Zealand to a person who is married, in a civil union or in a de facto relationship whose spouse also qualifies for New Zealand superannuation or a veteran’s pension in his or her own right;

    (c) in no case shall the rate of benefit exceed 100% of the maximum benefit rate as defined in subparagraph (b);

    (d) except for a third country pension taken into account under subparagraph (e), or as provided for in paragraph 3 of this Article, no account shall be taken of any benefit that is payable under the social security law of Australia; and

    (e) no account shall be taken of any third country pension that is payable under the legislation of a third country unless paragraph 2 applies.

    2. Where a person in Australia receives a New Zealand benefit payable under this Agreement and is not a permanent resident of Australia, periods of working age residence in a third country shall be deemed for the purposes of this Article to be periods of working age residence in New Zealand.

    3. Where a person is entitled to receive New Zealand superannuation or a veteran’s pension under Article 6, the rate of New Zealand superannuation or veteran’s pension shall be calculated under paragraph 1 but the amount the person is entitled to receive shall not exceed the amount of Australian pension that would have been payable to that person if he or she was entitled to receive an Australian pension but was not entitled to receive New Zealand superannuation or a veteran’s pension.

ARTICLE 10

Rate of New Zealand Supported Living Payment in Australia

1. Except as provided in paragraph 2, when a person in Australia is entitled to receive New Zealand supported living payment under Article 6, the amount of that benefit shall be calculated in accordance with the following formula:

number of whole months of

New Zealand working age residence

xmaximum benefit rate

Y

Where ‘Y’ equals the aggregate of the periods of working age residence in Australia and New Zealand at the date of severe disablement and subject to the following provisions:

(a) all periods of working age residence in New Zealand shall be aggregated;

(b) the maximum benefit rate shall be:

(i) in the case of a single person, the maximum rate (less a percentage agreed in writing from time to time by the competent authorities and published in the New Zealand Gazette) of benefit that the person would be entitled to receive under the social security law of New Zealand before any abatement on account of income;

(ii) in the case of a person who is married, in a civil union or in a de facto relationship, the maximum rate (less a percentage agreed in writing from time to time by the competent authorities and published in the New Zealand Gazette) of benefit that the person would be entitled to receive under the social security laws of New Zealand before any abatement on account of income;

(c) in no case shall the rate of benefit exceed 100% of the maximum benefit rate as defined in subparagraph (b);

(d) except for a third country pension taken into account under subparagraph (e), or as provided in paragraph 2, no account shall be taken of any benefit that is payable under the social security law of Australia; and

(e) no account shall be taken of any third country pension if that person is a permanent resident of Australia.

2. The rate of supported living payment for a person who qualifies under Article 6 shall be calculated under paragraph 1, but the amount the person is entitled to receive shall not exceed:

(a) in the case of a single person, the amount of Australian disability support pension that would have been payable if that person was entitled to receive an Australian disability support pension but not entitled to receive a supported living payment; or

(b) in the case of a person who is married, in a civil union or in a de facto relationship, the aggregated amount of Australian disability support pension and carer payment that would have been payable if that person was entitled to an Australian disability support pension and his or her spouse or partner was entitled to a carer payment and that person had not been entitled to receive a supported living payment.

PART III

PROVISIONS RELATING TO AUSTRALIAN BENEFITS

ARTICLE 11

Residence or Presence in Australia or New Zealand

1. Where a person would not qualify for a benefit under the legislation of Australia or by virtue of this Agreement only because he or she was not an Australian resident and present in Australia on the date on which the claim for that benefit would be lodged but that person:

(a) is an Australian resident or a New Zealand resident; and

(b) is present long term in Australia or New Zealand;

that person shall be deemed, for the purposes of lodging that claim, to be an Australian resident and in Australia on that date.

2. A claimant for an age pension must be of pension age under this Agreement to be able to obtain the benefit of this Article.

3. If a person applies for a carer payment under this Agreement, references to Australia in the provisions of the social security law of Australia relating to qualification for carer payment shall be read also as references to New Zealand.

4. If a person is qualified for a carer payment under this Agreement, that person can receive that payment if that person has an aggregate period of residence of at least 2 years in Australia and/or New Zealand.

ARTICLE 12

Totalisation for Australia

1. Where a person to whom this Agreement applies has claimed an Australian benefit under this Agreement and has accumulated:

(a) a period as an Australian resident that is less than the period required to qualify that person for that benefit under the legislation of Australia;

(b) a period of working age residence in Australia equal to or greater than the period identified in accordance with paragraph 3; and

(c) a period of working age residence in New Zealand.

then:

That period of working age residence in New Zealand shall be deemed to be a period in which that person was an Australian resident only for the purposes of meeting any minimum qualifying periods for that benefit set out in the legislation of Australia.

2. Where a person’s period of working age residence in Australia and a period of working age residence in New Zealand coincide, the period of coincidence shall be taken into account once only by Australia for the purposes of this Article as a period as an Australian resident.

3. The minimum period of Australian working age residence to be taken into account for the purposes of paragraph 1(b) shall be as follows:

a. for the purposes of an Australian benefit payable to a person present long term in New Zealand, the minimum period shall be one year of which at least six months must be continuous; but

b. for the purposes of an Australian benefit payable to a person present long term in Australia there will be no minimum period.

4. A claimant for an age pension under this Agreement must be of pension age to be able to obtain the benefit of this Article.

ARTICLE 13

Calculation of Australian Benefits

1. Where an Australian benefit is payable to a person, whether by virtue of the Agreement or otherwise, the rate of that benefit shall be determined under the social security law of Australia but when assessing the income of that person, no New Zealand benefit paid to that person shall be regarded as income, if the person is an Australian or New Zealand resident, while the person is in Australia or New Zealand or for the period of a temporary absence in a third country, or if the person resides in a third country and an Australian benefit is deducted from the rate of benefit payable by New Zealand. In all other situations, any New Zealand benefit received will be assessed as income.

2. Subject to paragraph 3, where an Australian benefit is payable, by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise, to a person who is present long term in Australia, the rate of that benefit shall be determined by:

(a) calculating that person’s income according to the social security law of Australia but disregarding in that calculation the New Zealand benefit or benefits received by that person and, where applicable, any third country pension as provided in paragraph 7;

(b) applying the income test to the maximum rate of benefit as set out in the social security law of Australia, using as the person’s income, the amount calculated under subparagraph (a); then

(c) deducting the amount of the New Zealand benefit or benefits, and where applicable any third country pension as provided in paragraph 7, received by that person from the rate of Australian benefit worked out under subparagraph (b).

3. A benefit paid under paragraph 2 shall continue to be calculated in the same way if the person goes to New Zealand and is not present long term there.

4. Where a member of a couple is, or both that person and his or her partner are, entitled to:

(a) a New Zealand benefit or benefits; and/or

(b) any third country pension;

then each of them shall be deemed, for the purpose of this Article and for the social security law of Australia, to receive one half of either the amount of that benefit or the total of both of those benefits, as the case may be.

5. (a) Where an age pension is payable, by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise, to a person who is present long term in New Zealand and who has less than 10 years as a New Zealand resident, then the rate of that age pension shall be determined (subject to paragraph 1) in accordance with the following formula:

where,

A = rate payable.

Z = period in months of working age residence in New Zealand.

R = the rate that would have been payable if that person had been in Australia and was qualified under the social security law of Australia to receive age pension.

(b) Where an age pension is payable, by virtue of this agreement or otherwise, to a person who is present long term in New Zealand and who has more than 10 years as a New Zealand resident, then the rate of age pension shall be determined (subject to paragraph 1) in accordance with the following formula:

where,

A = rate payable.

W = period in months of working age residence in Australia with a minimum period of 12 months.

R = the rate that would have been payable if that person had been in Australia and was qualified under the social security law of Australia to receive age pension.

6. Subject to paragraph 1, where a disability support pension is payable, by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise, to a person who is present long term in New Zealand, that pension shall be determined in accordance with the following formula:

where,

A = rate payable.

L = period in months of working age residence in Australia between age 20 and the date of severe disablement with a minimum number of 12 months.

N = period of working age residence in New Zealand between age 20 and the date of severe disablement.

R = the rate that would have been payable if that person had been in Australia and was qualified under the social security law of Australia to receive that disability support pension.

7. For the purposes of:

(a) paragraph 2, where the pensioner is in Australia, but not a permanent resident of Australia;

(b) subparagraph 5(a); and

(c) paragraph 6, where the pensioner has less than 10 years as a New Zealand resident,

any third country pension will be disregarded in the assessment of the pension and directly deducted from the rate of Australian pension.

8. Subject to paragraph 1, where a carer payment is payable, by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise, to a person who is in New Zealand or to a person caring for a person who receives his or her disability support pension by virtue of this Agreement, the rate of that carer payment shall be the same proportion of the maximum carer payment as the proportion of the maximum disability support pension that is received by the person for whom the care is being given.

9. A benefit paid under paragraphs 5, 6, or 8 shall continue to be calculated in the same way if the person goes to Australia and is not present long term there.

10. A benefit paid under paragraphs 2, 5, 6, or 8 shall continue to be calculated in the same way if the person goes to a third country temporarily. A benefit which is payable otherwise than by virtue of this Agreement shall be subject to the proportional calculation rules in the social security law of Australia for any period of temporary absence in a third country in excess of the period allowed for the payment of a benefit under this Agreement in Article 14. For a benefit which is payable otherwise than by virtue of this Agreement, the provisions regarding the assessment of any New Zealand benefit, and where applicable, any third country pension from the rate of Australian benefit, shall continue to apply as if the person was in Australia or New Zealand, as the case may be, for the period that the New Zealand benefit is payable under this Agreement in a third country.

6. “period of insurance” means, in relation to the Republic of Serbia, a period of paid contributions and equal periods regarded as such under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia; and

7. “period of Australian working life residence” means a period defined as such in the legislation of Australia, but does not include any period deemed pursuant to Article 12 of this Agreement to be a period in which that person was an Australian resident.

(2) Any term not defined in this Article shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the meaning assigned to it in the applicable legislation.

Article 2

Legislative Scope

(1) This Agreement shall apply to the legislation effective at the date of entering into force of this Agreement, and to any legislation that subsequently amends, supplements or replaces it:

1. in relation to Australia:

1.1 the Acts forming the social security law in so far as the law provides for, applies to or affects the age pension;

1.2 the law concerning the superannuation guarantee (which at the time of signature of this Agreement is contained in the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992, the Superannuation Guarantee Charge Act 1992 and the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Regulations 1993);

2. in relation to the Republic of Serbia, the legislation concerning pension and disability insurance.

(2) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, this Agreement does not apply to any agreement on social security entered into by either Contracting Party with a third state.

(3) This Agreement shall apply to laws which extend the legislation of either Contracting Party to new categories of beneficiaries only if the Contracting Parties agree in writing.

Article 3

Personal Scope

This Agreement shall apply to any person who:

1. is or has been an Australian resident; or

2. is or has been subject to the legislation of Australia; or

3. is or has been subject to the legislation of the Republic of Serbia;

and to other persons in regard to the rights they derive from the person described above.

Article 4

Equality of Treatment

Unless otherwise provided, all persons to whom this Agreement applies shall be treated equally by a Contracting Party in regard to rights and obligations regarding eligibility for and payment of benefits which arise whether directly under the legislation of that Contracting Party or by virtue of this Agreement.

Article 5

Export of Benefits

(1) Benefits payable by virtue of this Agreement shall also be paid in the territory of the other Contracting Party.

(2) In relation to Australia, for the purposes of paragraph 1 of this Article, any additional amount, increase or supplement that is payable under this Agreement, shall be paid to a person outside Australia only for the period specified in the provisions of the Social Security Act 1991.

(3) In relation to the Republic of Serbia, paragraph 1 of this Article shall not refer to the difference between the established amount of pension and the lowest amount of the pension, if the established amount of pension is lower than the lowest amount of pension; cash compensation for body impairment, long term care, and funeral expenses.

PART II

PROVISIONS ON COVERAGE

Article 6

Purpose and Application

(1) The purpose of this Part is to ensure that employers and employees are subject to the legislation of only one Contracting Party in respect of the same work.

(2) This Part applies only where an employee or the employer would otherwise be subject to the legislation of both Contracting Parties in respect of the work of the employee or remuneration paid for the work.

Article 7

Diplomats and Consular Relations

This Agreement shall not affect the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 18 April 1961, or the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24 April 1963.

Article 8

Avoidance of Double Coverage

(1) Unless otherwise provided in paragraphs 2, 3 or 5 of this Article, if an employee works in the territory of one Contracting Party, the employer and the employee shall in respect of the work and the remuneration paid for the work, be subject only to the legislation of that Contracting Party.

(2) If an employee:

1. is covered by the legislation of one Contracting Party; and

2. was sent, whether before, on or after the commencement of this Agreement, by the Government of the first Contracting Party, including as a civil or public servant, to work in the territory of the second Contracting Party; and

3. is working in the territory of the second Contracting Party in the employment of the Government of the first Contracting Party, including as a civil or public servant; and

4. is not working permanently in the territory of the second Contracting Party;

the employer and the employee shall be subject only to the legislation of the first Contracting Party in respect of the work performed and the remuneration paid for that work.

(3) If an employee:

1. is covered by the legislation of one Contracting Party; and

2. was sent, whether before, on or after the commencement of this Agreement, by an employer who is subject to the legislation of the first Contracting Party to work in the territory of the second Contracting Party; and

3. is working in the territory of the second Contracting Party in the employment of the employer or a related entity of that employer; and

4. is not working permanently in the territory of the second Contracting Party and has not been in the territory of the second Contracting Party, in relation to the work for which the employee was sent, for a period exceeding three years,

the employer and the employee shall be subject only to the legislation of the first Contracting Party in respect of the work performed and the remuneration paid for that work.

(4) For the purposes of subparagraph 3 of paragraph 3 of this Article an entity is a related entity of an employer if the entity and the employer are members of the same wholly or majority owned group.

(5) If an employee is working in the employment of an employer on a ship or aircraft in international traffic, the employer and the employee shall in respect of the employment and the remuneration paid for that employment be subject only to the legislation of the Contracting Party of which the employee is resident.

Article 9

Exceptions

The Competent Authorities, or the Competent Institutions designated by them, may agree in writing to modify the application of the provisions of Article 8 of this Agreement.

Article 10

Certificate on Coverage

Where the legislation of one of the Contracting Parties is applicable in accordance with any of the provisions of this Part, the Competent Authority or the Competent Institution of the Contracting Party shall issue, upon request of the employer, a certificate stating that the employee is subject to the legislation of that Contracting Party and indicating the duration for which the certificate shall be valid.

PART III

PROVISIONS FOR BENEFITS UNDER THE LEGISLATION OF AUSTRALIA

Article 11

Residence or Presence in the Republic of Serbia

Where a person would be qualified under the legislation of Australia or by virtue of this Agreement for an Australian benefit except for not being an Australian resident and not in Australia on the date on which the claim for that benefit is lodged, but:

1. is an Australian resident or a resident of the Republic of Serbia; and

2. is in Australia or the Republic of Serbia,

that person, so long as he or she has a minimum of 12 months Australian working life residence, shall be deemed, for the purpose of lodging that claim, to be an Australian resident and in Australia on that date.

Article 12

Totalisation

(1) Where a person to whom this Agreement applies has claimed a benefit under Australian legislation and has accumulated:

1. a period as an Australian resident that is less than the period required to qualify that person, under the legislation of Australia for that benefit; and

2. a period of Australian working life residence that is equal to or greater than the period identified in accordance with paragraph 4 of this Article; and

3. a period of insurance under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia,

then, that period of insurance completed under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia shall be deemed to be a period in which that person was an Australian resident only for the purposes of meeting any minimum qualifying periods for that benefit set out in the legislation of Australia.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph 1 of this Article, where a person:

1. has been an Australian resident for a continuous period which is less than the minimum continuous period required by the legislation of Australia for entitlement to a benefit; and

2. has accumulated a period of insurance under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia in two or more separate periods that equals or exceeds in total the minimum period referred to in subparagraph 1 of this paragraph;

then the total of the periods of insurance completed under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia shall be deemed to be one continuous period.

(3) For the purposes of this Article, where a period as an Australian resident and a period of insurance under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia coincide, the period of coincidence shall be taken into account once only by Australia as a period as an Australian resident.

(4) The minimum period of Australian working life residence to be taken into account for the purposes of paragraph 1 of this Article shall be 12 months, of which at least six months must be continuous.

Article 13

Calculation of Benefits

(1) Subject to paragraph 2 of this Article, where an Australian benefit is payable only by virtue of this Agreement to a person who is outside Australia, the rate of that benefit shall be determined by:

1. calculating that person’s income according to the legislation of Australia, including any benefit payable under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia which that person or the partner of that person is entitled to receive;

2. applying to the maximum rate of Australian benefit the relevant rate calculator set out in the legislation of Australia, using as the person’s income the amount calculated under subparagraph 1 of this paragraph; and

3. proportionalising the amount of benefit calculated under subparagraph 2 of this paragraph by multiplying that amount by the person’s period of Australian working life residence (up to a maximum of 540 months) over a denominator of 540 months (45 years).

(2) Paragraph 1 of this Article shall continue to apply for 26 weeks where a person comes temporarily to Australia.

(3) Subject to paragraph 4 of this Article, where an Australian benefit is payable only by virtue of this Agreement to a person who is in Australia, the rate of that benefit shall be determined by:

1. calculating the person’s income according to the legislation of Australia but disregarding in that calculation any benefit under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia which that person or the partner of that person is entitled to receive; and

2. deducting the amount of that benefit under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia which that person is entitled to receive from the maximum rate of Australian benefit; and

3. applying to the remaining benefit obtained under subparagraph 2 of this paragraph the relevant rate calculation set out in the legislation of Australia, using as the person’s income the amount calculated under subparagraph 1 of this paragraph.

(4) Paragraph 3 of this Article shall continue to apply, for the period specified in the Social Security Act 1991 before which a person’s pension becomes subject to proportionality, where a person departs temporarily from Australia.

(5) Where a member of a couple is, or both that person and his or her partner are, entitled to a benefit or benefits under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia each of them shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Article and of the legislation of Australia, to be in receipt of one half of either the amount of that benefit or the total of those benefits, as the case may be.

(6) For the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, the Additional Child Amount shall be nil.

PART IV

PROVISIONS FOR BENEFITS UNDER THE LEGISLATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Article 14

Totalisation

(1) Where a person to whom this Agreement applies has claimed a benefit under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia and has accumulated:

1. a period of insurance completed under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia that is less than the period required to qualify for that benefit under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia; and

2. a period of Australian working life residence

then that period of Australian working life residence shall be deemed to be a period of insurance completed under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia only for the purposes of meeting any minimum qualifying periods for that benefit set out in the legislation of the Republic of Serbia.

(2) For the purposes of this Article, when a period of insurance completed under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia and a period of Australian working life residence coincide, the period of coincidence shall be taken into account once only by the Republic of Serbia as a period completed under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia.

(3) The minimum period of insurance completed under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia to be taken into account for the purposes of paragraph 1 of this Article shall be 12 months.

Article 15

Calculation of Benefits

(1) If the right to benefit is provided for under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia without application of Article 14 of this Agreement, the amount of the benefit shall be determined solely under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia.

(2) If the right to benefit is determined solely by virtue of the application of Article 14 of this Agreement, the Competent Institution of the Republic of Serbia shall:

1. calculate a theoretical benefit amount that would be paid if the total period accumulated under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia and Australian legislation had been completed solely under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia, and

2. on the basis of this theoretical benefit amount, shall determine an actual benefit amount payable, according to the ratio between the period completed under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia and the total period accumulated under the legislation of the Republic of Serbia and Australian legislation.

PART V

MISCELLANEOUS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Article 16

Lodgement of Documents

(1) A claim, notice or appeal concerning a benefit, whether payable by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise, may be lodged in the territory of either Contracting Party in accordance with the Administrative Arrangement made pursuant to Article 19 of this Agreement.

(2) The date on which a claim, notice or appeal referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article is lodged with the Competent Institution of one Contracting Party shall be considered as the date of lodgement of that document with the Competent Institution of the other Contracting Party. The Competent Institution with which a claim, notice or appeal is lodged shall refer it without delay to the Competent Institution of the other Contracting Party.

(3) Any exemption from payment of fees relating to certificates and documents submitted to a Competent Authority or the Competent Institution of a Contracting Party shall be applicable to the certificates and documents which, for the purpose of enforcement of this Agreement, shall be submitted to a competent authority or competent institution of the other Contracting Party. The certificates and documents issued for the purpose of enforcement of this Agreement shall be exempt from authentication by the diplomatic and consular missions.

Article 17

Payment of Benefits

(1) The Competent Institutions of each Contracting Party shall pay benefits by virtue of this Agreement directly to entitled persons residing in the territory of the other Contracting Party in a convertible currency.

(2) If a Contracting Party imposes legal or administrative restrictions on the transfer of currency outside of its territory, that Contracting Party shall implement measures as soon as practicable to guarantee the rights to payment and delivery of benefits payable under the legislation of the Contracting Party or by virtue of this Agreement. The measures shall operate retrospectively to the time the restrictions were imposed.

(3) Both Contracting Parties shall pay benefits without deduction for government administrative fees and charges for processing.

Article 18

Exchange of Information and Mutual Assistance

(1) The Competent Authorities and Competent Institutions responsible for the application of this Agreement shall to the extent permitted by their national laws:

1. communicate to each other any information necessary for the application of this Agreement or for the purposes of their social security laws; and

2. provide assistance to one another, including the communication to each other of any information necessary, with regard to the determination or payment of any benefit under this Agreement or under the legislation to which this Agreement applies as if the matter involved the application of their own legislation; and

3. communicate to each other, as soon as possible, all information about the measures taken by them for the application of this Agreement or about changes in their respective legislation insofar as these changes affect the application of this Agreement.

(2) The assistance referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be provided free of charge, subject to the Administrative Arrangement made pursuant to Article 19 of this Agreement.

(3) If the Competent Institution of a Contracting Party requires the applicant or beneficiary who is resident in the territory of the other Contracting Party to undergo a medical examination, the Competent Institution of the other Contracting Party shall, upon the request of the Competent Institution of the first Contracting Party, undertake measures for conducting such examination. If the medical examination is conducted solely at the request of the Competent Institution of one Contracting Party, that Competent Institution shall reimburse the cost of the examination to the Competent Institution of the other Contracting Party. However, if the medical examination is required by both Competent Institutions, the costs shall not be reimbursed.

(4) Any information about an individual which is transmitted in accordance with this Agreement to a Competent Authority or a Competent Institution of a Contracting Party by a Competent Authority or a Competent Institution of the other Contracting Party is confidential and shall be used only for the purposes of implementing this Agreement and the legislation to which this Agreement applies unless otherwise provided for in their respective national laws.

(5) In no case shall the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 4 of this Article be construed so as to impose on the Competent Authority or Competent Institution of a Contracting Party the obligation:

1. to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws or the administrative practice of either Contracting Party; or

2. to supply information which is not ordinarily obtainable under the laws or in the normal administrative practice of either Contracting Party.

(6) In the application of this Agreement, the Competent Authority and the Competent Institution of a Contracting Party may communicate with the other in any of the official languages of the Contracting Parties.

(7) Documents submitted to a Competent Authority or Competent Institution of a Contracting Party shall not be rejected solely on the ground that they are written in the official language of the other Contracting Party.

(8) The Competent Institutions of the Contracting Parties shall supply to each other, according to an agreed schedule and format, relevant available information such as date of death, change of address, change of marital or relationship status and changes in the amount of benefits for beneficiaries.

Article 19

Administrative Arrangement

(1) The Competent Authorities of the Contracting Parties shall establish, by means of an Administrative Arrangement, the measures necessary for the implementation of this Agreement.

(2) The Competent Authorities shall appoint liaison bodies to facilitate the implementation of this Agreement.

Article 20

Exchange of Statistics

The Competent Authorities or Competent Institutions of the Contracting Parties shall exchange annual statistics on the payments granted to beneficiaries pursuant to this Agreement. These statistics shall include the number of beneficiaries and total amount of benefits paid and shall be furnished in an agreed format.

Article 21

Resolution of Disputes

The Competent Authorities of the Contracting Parties shall resolve, to the extent possible, any difficulties which arise in interpreting or applying this Agreement according to its spirit and fundamental principles.

Article 22

Review of Agreement

Where a Contracting Party requests the other to meet to review this Agreement, the Contracting Parties shall meet for that purpose no later than six months after that request was made. Unless the Contracting Parties otherwise arrange, their meeting shall be held in the territory of the Contracting Party to which that request was made.

PART VI

TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 23

Transitional Provisions

(1) This Agreement shall not establish any right to a benefit for any period before the date of the entry into force of this Agreement.

(2) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, when determining entitlements to benefits under this Agreement, periods of residence in Australia, periods of Australian working life residence and periods of insurance in the Republic of Serbia completed before the entry into force of this Agreement shall be taken into account.

(3) This Agreement shall not apply in respect to periods of insurance which were liquidated by the granting of a lump sum payment or the reimbursement of contributions.

(4) Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 8 shall apply from the date of entry into force of this Agreement, even if the employee was sent by their employer before this date. For this purpose, the period of secondment is taken to start on the date of entry into force of this Agreement.

Article 24

Entry into Force

This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the third month following the month in which notes are exchanged by the Contracting Parties through the diplomatic channel notifying each other that all matters as are necessary to give effect to this Agreement have been finalised.

Article 25

Duration and Termination

(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this Article, this Agreement shall remain in force indefinitely or until the expiration of 12 months from the date on which either Contracting Party receives from the other a note through the diplomatic channel giving notice of termination of this Agreement.

(2) In the event of termination, this Agreement shall continue to have effect in relation to all persons who:

1. at the date on which termination takes effect, are in receipt of benefits; or

2. prior to the date on which termination takes effect, have lodged claims for, and would be entitled to receive, benefits by virtue of this Agreement; or

3. immediately before the date on which termination takes effect, are subject only to the legislation of one Contracting Party by virtue of paragraph 2 or 3 of Article 8 of this Agreement, provided the employee continues to satisfy the criteria of that Article.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.

DONE in two originals at …….. on this ….. day of …….….., two thousand and …… in English and Serbian languages, each version being equally authentic.

FOR AUSTRALIA

FOR THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Endnotes

Endnote 1About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

Endnote 2Abbreviation key

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/sub‑subparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s)

cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

Endnote 3Legislation history

Act

Number and year

Assent

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Social Security (International Agreements) Act 1999

173, 1999

20 Dec 1999

20 Mar 2000

A New Tax System (Family Assistance and Related Measures) Act 2000

45, 2000

3 May 2000

Sch 3 (items 56, 57), Sch 5 and 6: 1 July 2000 (s 2(4))

Sch 5 and 6

Social Security and Veterans’ Entitlements Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Matters) Act 2000

94, 2000

30 June 2000

Sch 9: 1 Aug 2000 (s 2(9))

Family and Community Services (2000 Budget and Related Measures) Act 2000

138, 2000

24 Nov 2000

Schedule 1 (items 1–19, 22), Schedules 2, 3 and Schedule 4 (item 1): 1 Jan 2001

Schedule 4 (item 2): 1 Mar 2001

Remainder: Royal Assent

Family and Community Services Legislation Amendment Act 2003

30, 2003

15 Apr 2003

Schedule 1 (item 124) 1 July 2000

Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Welfare to Work and Other Measures) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2006

64, 2006

22 June 2006

Schedule 14 (item 13): 1 July 2006

Social Security and Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Act 2006

108, 2006

27 Sept 2006

Schedule 5 and Schedule 8 (items 225, 226): Royal Assent

Employment and Workplace Relations Amendment Act 2009

37, 2009

3 June 2009

Schedule 2 (items 36–41): 4 June 2009

Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014

14, 2014

31 Mar 2014

Sch 4 (items 7–14): 1 July 2014 (s 2(1) item 3B)

Sch 4 (item 14)

as amended by

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Portability Extensions) Act 2021

53, 2021

24 June 2021

Sch 1 (item 11): 1 July 2021 (s 2(1) item 1)

Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Act 2015

59, 2015

26 May 2015

Sch 2 (item 335): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) (item 5)

Sch 2 (items 356–396): 18 June 2015 (s 2(1) (item 6)

Sch 2 (items 356–396)

as amended by

Territories Legislation Amendment Act 2016

33, 2016

23 Mar 2016

Sch 2: 24 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)

Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2016

4, 2016

11 Feb 2016

Sch 6 (items 4, 5): 10 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 6)

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Welfare Reform) Act 2018

26, 2018

11 Apr 2018

Sch 2 (items 76, 77, 82–93) and Sch 4 (items 101–103, 105–110): 20 Mar 2020 (s 2(1) items 4, 6)

Sch 2 (items 82–93) and Sch 4 (item 105–110)

Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Student Assistance and Other Measures) Act 2021

42, 2021

27 May 2021

Sch 3 (items 6, 7): 28 May 2021 (s 2(1) item 1)

Number and year

FRLI registration or gazettal

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

2000 No. 104

15 June 2000

1 Oct 2000

2000 No. 105

15 June 2000

1 Jan 2001

2000 No. 165

22 June 2000

1 Oct 2000

2001 No. 215

17 Aug 2001

1 Jan 2002

as repealed by

2002 No. 34

7 Mar 2002

7 Mar 2002

2001 No. 245

14 Sep 2001

1 Jan 2002

as repealed by

2002 No. 34

7 Mar 2002

7 Mar 2002

2002 No. 31

7 Mar 2002

1 July 2002

2002 No. 32

7 Mar 2002

Schedules 1: 1 Jan 2003

Schedule 3: 1 Apr 2003

Remainder: 1 Oct 2002

r. 2 (am. by 2002 No. 164, Sch. 1 [item 1]; 2002 No. 225, Sch. 1 [item 1])

as amended by

2002 No. 164

27 Jun 2002

27 Jun 2002

2002 No. 225

26 Sept 2002

26 Sept 2002

2002 No. 33

7 Mar 2002

Schedule 2: 1 Jan 2003

Remainder: 1 Oct 2002

r. 2 (am. by No. 2002, 210, Sch. 1 [item 1])

as amended by

2002 No. 210

12 Sep 2002

12 Sep 2002

2002 No. 165

3 Jul 2002

1 Jan 2003

2003 No. 207

15 Aug 2003

1 Jan 2004

as amended by

2003 No. 374

23 Dec 2003

r. 3: 23 Dec 2003

2003 No. 374

23 Dec 2003

rr. 1–3: 23 Dec 2003

Remainder: 1 July 2004

2004 No. 19

26 Feb 2004

1 July 2004

2004 No. 109

3 June 2004

1 July 2005

2005 No. 21

25 Feb 2005

1 July 2005

2005 No. 191

22 Aug 2005

1 Jan 2006

2006 No. 149

26 June 2006

1 Jan 2007

2007 No. 144

18 June 2007

1 Jan 2008

2007 No. 352

22 Oct 2007

rr. 1–3: 23 Oct 2007

Remainder: 1 Oct 2008

2008 No. 107

20 June 2008

rr. 1–3: 21 June 2008

Remainder: 1 Jan 2009 (see F2008L04699)

2008 No. 265

19 Dec 2008

rr. 1–3: 20 Dec 2008

Remainder: 1 July 2009 (see F2009L02118)

2009 No. 58

14 Apr 2009

rr. 1–3: 15 Apr 2009

Remainder: 1 Oct 2009 (see F2009L03482)

21, 2010

2 Mar 2010 (F2010L00552)

r 1–3: 3 Mar 2010 (r 2(1)(a))

Remainder: 1 Oct 2010 (s 2(1)(b))

247, 2010

18 Oct 2010 (F2010L2645)

r 1–3: 19 Oct 2010 (r 2(1)(a))

Sch 1: 1 Apr 2011 (r 2(1)(b))

Remainder: 1 July 2011 (r 2(1)(c))

137, 2011

4 Aug 2011 (F2011L01597)

r 1–3: 5 Aug 2011 (s 2(1)(a))

Remainder: 1 Jan 2012 (s 2(1)(b))

154, 2011

17 Aug 2011 (F2011L01671)

r 1–3: 18 Aug 2011 (s 2(1)(a))

Remainder: 1 Jan 2012 (s 2(1)(b))

258, 2011

12 Dec 2011 (F2011L02639)

r 1–3: 13 Dec 2011(s 2(1)(a))

Remainder: 1 Oct 2012 (s 2(1)(b))

54, 2012

23 Apr 2012 (F2012L00910)

s 1–3: 24 Apr 2012 (s 2(1)(a))

Remainder: 1 Jan 2013 (s 2(1)(b))

89, 2015

22 June 2015 (F2015L00856)

s 1–5: 23 June 2015 (s 2(1) item 1)

Remainder: 1 Jan 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Social Security (International Agreements) Amendment (Republic of Austria) Regulation 2016

9 May 2016 (F2016L00720)

Sch 1: 1 Mar 2017 (s 2(1) item 2)

Social Security (International Agreements) Amendment (Republic of Estonia) Regulation 2016

29 Nov 2016 (F2016L01827)

Sch 1: 1 Jan 2018 (s 2(1) item 2)

Social Security (International Agreements) Amendment (New Zealand) Regulations 2017

16 Feb 2017 (F2017L00124)

Sch 1: 1 July 2017 (s 2(1) item 2)

Social Security (International Agreements) Amendment (Amendment of New Zealand Agreement) Regulations 2017

19 June 2017 (F2017L00694)

Sch 1: 1 July 2017 (s 2(1) item 2)

Social Security (International Agreements) Amendment (Republic of Serbia) Regulations 2023

1 Sept 2023 (F2023L01176)

1 Feb 2024 (s 2(1) item 2)

Endnote 4Amendment history

Provision affected

How affected

Part 1

s 3.............................................

am No 42, 2021

s 4A...........................................

ad No 59, 2015

Part 2

s. 10...........................................

am. No. 64, 2006; No. 37, 2009

s. 12A........................................

ad. No. 138, 2000

rep No 4, 2016

Part 3

Division 1

s. 13...........................................

am. Nos. 45 and 94, 2000

s. 14A........................................

ad. No. 45, 2000

am. No. 30, 2003; No. 108, 2006

Division 2

s 16............................................

am No 14, 2014

s 18............................................

rep No 14, 2014

s 19............................................

rep No 14, 2014

s 20............................................

rep No 14, 2014

s 21............................................

am No 26, 2018

s 22............................................

rep No 14, 2014

Division 3

s 23............................................

am No 14, 2014

s 24............................................

am No 14, 2014

Schedules

Schedule 1..................................

rep No 4, 2016

Schedule 2..................................

rs. Statutory Rules 2000 No. 104

am. Statutory Rules 2000 No. 165

Schedule 3..................................

rs Statutory Rules 2002 No. 31; F2017L00124

am F2017L00694

Schedule 4..................................

rs. Statutory Rules 2001 No. 215 (as rep. by Statutory Rules 2002 No. 34); Statutory Rules 2002 No. 32

Schedule 5..................................

rs. Statutory Rules 2002 No. 165

Schedule 6..................................

rs. SLI 2005 No. 21

Schedule 7..................................

rs. Statutory Rules 2001 No. 215 (as rep. by Statutory Rules 2002 No. 34); Statutory Rules 2002 No. 32 (as rs. by Statutory Rules 2002 No. 225)

Schedule 8..................................

rs. SLI 2005 No. 191

Schedule 9..................................

rs. Statutory Rules 2001 No. 245 (as rep. by Statutory Rules 2002 No. 34); Statutory Rules 2002 No. 32

Schedule 10................................

am. Statutory Rules 2001 No. 215 (as rep. by Statutory Rules 2002 No. 34); Statutory Rules 2002 No. 32; SLI 2011 No. 137

rs F2016L00720

Schedule 12................................

ad. Statutory Rules 2000 No. 105

Schedule 13................................

ad. Statutory Rules 2002 No. 33

Schedule 14................................

ad. Statutory Rules 2002 No. 33

rs. SLI 2007 No. 352

Schedule 15................................

ad. Statutory Rules 2003 No. 374

rs. SLI 2009 No. 58

Schedule 16................................

ad. Statutory Rules 2004 No. 19

Schedule 17................................

ad. Statutory Rules 2003 No. 207

Schedule 18................................

ad. Statutory Rules 2004 No. 109

Schedule 19................................

ad. SLI 2006 No. 149

Schedule 20................................

ad. SLI 2007 No. 144

Schedule 21................................

ad. SLI 2007 No. 352

Schedule 22................................

ad. SLI 2007 No. 352

Schedule 23................................

ad. SLI 2008 No. 107

Schedule 24................................

ad. SLI 2008 No. 265

Schedule 25................................

ad. SLI 2010 No. 21

Schedule 26................................

ad. SLI 2010 No. 247

Schedule 27................................

ad. SLI 2010 No. 247

Schedule 28................................

ad. SLI 2011 No. 154

Schedule 29................................

ad. SLI 2011 No. 258

Schedule 30................................

ad. SLI 2012 No. 54

Schedule 31................................

ad SLI No 89, 2015

Schedule 32................................

ad F2016L01827

Schedule 33................................

ad F2023L01176

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