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Generally, benefits paid under the Agreement are portable indefinitely when the person travels between Australia and Ireland. This means people being paid benefits under the Agreement can travel between Australia and Ireland without the time restrictions that may apply to autonomous pensioners.
People paid under the Agreement who reside in Australia and travel to Ireland temporarily, will have their rate calculated using the inside Australia rate in 10.9.8.50 for a period of 26 weeks or less. Once they have been in Ireland for more than 26 weeks, their rate will be calculated using the outside Australia rate in 10.9.8.20.
People paid under the Agreement who leave Australia permanently for Ireland will have their rate calculated using the outside Australia rate in 10.9.8.40 as soon as they leave Australia.
People paid under the Agreement who reside in Ireland and travel to Australia, temporarily, will continue to have their rate calculated using the outside Australia rate in 10.9.8.40 for a period of 26 weeks or less. Once they have been in Australia for more than 26 weeks, their rate will be calculated using the inside Australia rate in 10.9.8.50.
People who come to Australia from Ireland permanently and who do not qualify for an Australian benefit in their own right, will have their rate calculated using the inside Australia rate in 10.9.8.50 as soon as they arrive in Australia. Their rate will change to the normal autonomous rate as soon as they meet the usual residence qualifying periods, for example, 10 years residence in Australia for Australian Age.
A person who is paid an autonomous benefit that is covered by the Agreement can be paid that pension in Ireland until the domestic portability time limit expires. Once this happens, that benefit can then be paid under the Agreement, but will then be subject to the rating and portability provisions of the Agreement.
Example: A person who is severely disabled and in receipt of DSP can continue to receive that benefit while they are in Ireland for up to 6 weeks. To continue to receive that benefit after 6 weeks they would have to transfer to DSP (severely disabled) under the Agreement.
Act reference: SS(IntAgree)Act Schedule 8 Ireland
Policy reference: SS Guide 10.9.8.20 Outside Australia Rate - Agreement with Ireland, 10.9.8.50 Inside Australia Rate - Agreement with Ireland
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Last reviewed: 2 January 2013
