Residence assessment for customers claiming Age Pension 065-03040010
Expand allThis document outlines the process to assess whether a customer satisfies the residence requirements for Age Pension. The assessment includes whether the customer is residentially qualified to lodge a legal claim and whether a qualifying residence period applies.
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Initial residence assessment for customers claiming Age Pension
Initial residence assessment for customers claiming Age Pension
Table 1
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Residence requirements for Age PensionTo satisfy the residence requirements for Age Pension, the customer must:
Note: there are exceptions to these requirements. The new claim workflow will present the Immigration Enquiry (RSIMME) screen. Ensure the customer's country of birth and any travel documents are recorded. The system will automatically link to the Department of Home Affairs database through Immigration Datalink and update the customer's residence and movement information. If more information is required, see Activating the Department of Home Affairs datalink and contingency procedures if datalink is unavailable. | |
Check residence detailsCheck the:
If the customer is:
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Customer is not in AustraliaThe customer can only lodge a legal claim for Age Pension while they are outside Australia if they:
Does the customer meet an exception to the lodgement inside Australia rule?
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International agreementSee International Social Security Agreements. Is the customer in an agreement country?
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Check if the customer is a non-protected Special Category Visa (SCV) holderOnly New Zealand citizens can be the holder of an SCV. The RSLEG screen will indicate whether someone is a protected (GRF or TRA) or non-protected (NOT) SCV holder. For more information on SCVs, see Australian Residence Rules for New Zealand citizens. Is the customer a non-protected SCV holder?
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Non-protected SCV holderA non-protected SCV holder may qualify for Age Pension using the social security agreement with New Zealand:
In addition, a non-protected SCV holder can qualify for parental leave payments, family assistance and concession cards. Procedure ends here. | |
Check if customer resides in an agreement countryKey the customers:
Is the customer a resident of an agreement country?
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Customer is an Australian residentDoes the customer have 10 years qualifying Australian residence?
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Exemptions from the residence requirements, alternate residence qualification and finalising residence assessment
Table 2
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Check if a refugee visa is or was heldA person who is a refugee or former refugee has an automatic Qualifying Residence-Exemption (QRE) from the 10 year qualifying residence requirement. To determine if the customer is a refugee or former refugee:
Refugee visas can be determined using:
If the customer advises they are or were a refugee and this is not evident on the RSLEG or RSRD screens or from their passport, contact Centrelink International Services (CIS) or refer to CIS via the Immigration Match Questionnaire (IMQ). Is the customer a refugee or former refugee and is currently residing in Australia? See Deciding if a customer is residing in Australia.
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Check previous paymentsOn the Benefit Status (XBS) screen, check all previous payments the customer has received. Did the customer previously receive Widow B Pension (WidB), Widow Allowance (WA), Mature Age Allowance (MAA), Partner Allowance (PA), or Wife Pension (WP)?
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Previous paymentsWas the customer receiving Widow B Pension (WidB), Widow Allowance (WA), Mature Age Allowance (MAA) or Partner Allowance (PA) immediately before turning Age Pension age?
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Payments prior to 20 March 1997Was the customer receiving WidB, WA or PA on 19 March 1997 and had already turned Age Pension age at that date?
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Wife Pension (WP)Was the customer receiving WP on 19 March 2020 and was not receiving Carer Allowance at that time?
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Widow Allowance (WA)Widow Allowance (WA) payments ceased on 1 January 2022. WA customers who did not have 10 years qualifying Australian residence by 1 January 2022 had a residence exemption coded on the Additional Residence Details (ARD) screen as part of their transfer to Age Pension on that date. See Processing transfers to Age Pension. Was the customer receiving WA on 31 December 2021 and had already turned Age Pension age at that date?
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Widow assessmentThe 10 years qualifying Australian residence is not required if, when a woman became widowed:
Gender changed to female The Customer Person Detail Summary (CPDS) screen shows changes in identified gender, as advised by the customer. The customer does not need to have legally changed their name to update the CPDS screen. However, for the ‘Widow’ provision to apply, their gender must have been legally changed. If the CPDS screen shows the customer’s gender was previously male and is now female, or the customer has advised this in their claim, check first if they meet all other criteria for this provision (Steps 8-10/11). If they meet all other criteria, then determine if they have legally changed their gender and, if applicable, obtain evidence. Is the customer legally female?
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Check for deceased partnerCheck the Marital Status (MS) screen and/or information in the claim to see if the customer had a partner who has died. Did the customer have a partner who has died?
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Check customer’s Australian residence periodsCheck Australian residence periods on the Australian Historical Residence (RSAHR) screen to see if the customer:
Note: temporary absences from Australia do not generally interrupt continuous residence and can be counted as part of the 104 weeks. For further detail about determining if an absence is temporary, see Deciding if a customer is residing in Australia. Does the customer meet both of these criteria?
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Check deceased partner residenceCheck that the deceased partner was an Australian resident at the time of their death. If the CRN is available on Marital Status (MS) screen, go to the deceased partner's record and check the RSAHR screen. Is there enough information on the record to determine the deceased partner’s Australian residence at the time of death?
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More information required to determine deceased partner’s residenceIf unable to determine the deceased partner's Australian residence status at time of death:
In Process Direct Select
Update the following fields as required:
Complete Additional information template - record the following:
The agreed timeframe for a response from CIS is 10 days. If the customer is in hardship, contact CIS to advise that an urgent response is required. Put the claim on hold for 14 days when it becomes due it will be allocated via WLM. When a response is received from CIS, examine the response Is the response from CIS that the deceased partner was an Australian resident at the time of their death?
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Customer meets the Australian resident when widowed alternate residence qualification criteria
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Check if the customer has lived or worked in an agreement countryHas the customer lived or worked in an agreement country?
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Customer does not satisfy residence requirements but may be eligible under an international agreementA customer may use an international agreement to qualify for an Age Pension if they meet any of the following:
Ensure the agreement country is recorded on the Country of Residence (CRES) screen.
See Claims for Australian payments under International Agreements. Procedure ends here. | |
Customer does not satisfy residence requirements and has not lived or worked in an agreement countryTell the customer to re-test their eligibility if their circumstances change in the future, such as they become a widow, their visa status changes, or they attain their 10 years qualifying Australian residence. Continue to assess the claim. Ensure the correct details are recorded on the Country of Residence (CRES) and Legal Residence Details (RSLEG) screens. The claim will reject for a residence related reason. The customer may still be entitled to some of the following. Offer to the customer where appropriate:
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