Payments to Agents

Last amended: Why appoint an agent?

The Commission may appoint a person to be an agent and receive payments on behalf of a pensioner if requested to do so by the pensioner.    

Obligations of an agent

An agent must either:

• pay the pension or allowance to the pensioner, or
• manage the pension or allowance in accordance with the pensioner's wishes.

Both the pensioner and the agent are legally obliged to notify DVA of changes in the pensioner's circumstances. A pensioner's obligations under sections 54, 54A, 54AA and 127 apply to their agent. Obligations do not apply to the agent where agency arrangements exist with a group payee.

Obligations of a pensioner

Although a pension may be paid to an agent, the payment is taken to be a payment to the pensioner.  Any obligations imposed under the VEA on a pensioner to notify the Department of an event or change of circumstances apply to both the pensioner and the agent.    

Pension payments

Where agency arrangements are established, the whole of the pensioner's payments will be paid to the agent. The payments may be made to:

• a joint account, in the names of both the pensioner and the agent; or
• an account held solely in the agent's name.     
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  11.5.2/Accounts into which direct credit payments can be made

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