11.4.1 Overview of Portability

What is Portability

“Portability” is the term used to refer to the entitlement of a person to continue to receive an Australian pension, associated supplements and allowances while overseas.

What pensions are portable

Both service pension and income support supplement are portable, except in certain circumstances where a person claims such a pension during a short-term period of residency in Australia.

Clean energy advance payments may also be impacted by a period of absence greater than 6 weeks.     

Portability of supplements and allowances

Rent assistance, remote area allowance, pension supplement, veterans supplement and energy supplement can continue to be paid during short absences from Australia but this is subject to specific requirements.

Portability only an issue after grant.

Portability is only an issue once service pension or income support supplement is granted. Except in the case of transfers between portable pensions, a person must be an Australian resident and in Australia at the time of claim for pension to be granted.

Transfers between portable pensions

A person who is overseas and is receiving a portable pension from either DVA or Centrelink can in certain circumstances transfer to another portable pension without need to be an Australian resident and in Australia at the time of claiming the new pension.

Administration of Payment to Pensioners Overseas

If a pensioner moves overseas to reside permanently, their pension will be administered by the Tasmanian State Office. In short term absences from Australia, the administration of pension will continue in the home state.