Government Age Pension
To be eligible for a government aged pension the following conditions must be satisfied:
- Australian resident and in Australia on the day the claim is lodged.
- Must have been an Australian resident for a total of at least 10 years, and at least 5 of these years must have been in one continous period, or
- Residence in certain countries with which Australia has an International Social Security Agreement may count towards Australian residence, or
- Have a qualifying residence exemption (arrived as refugee or under special humanitarian program), or
- A woman who is widowed in Australia, when both she and her late partner were Australian Residents and who has 104 weeks residence immediately prior to claim, or
- Person who is in receipt of Widow B Pension, Widow Allowance, Mature Age Allowance or Partner Allowance immediately before turning Age Pension age.
- Can generally be paid for the total period of absence from Australia (some exemptions may apply), however, after 26 weeks the rate may change.
The age at which you are eligible for an Age Pension differs between men and women, but generally for women born after 1 January 1949 and for all men the age is 65.
The rate of payment is calculated under both the income and assets tests. The test that results in the lower rate (or nil rate) will apply.
A guide to all Australian Government Payments can be found at www.centrelink.gov.au .