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  • Leaving Australia Permanently
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Leaving Australia permanently

Normally, if you leave Australia permanently, you will not be able to continue getting your payment, except for certain pensions. You can continue to get certain payments from Centrelink paid outside Australia if Australia has an agreement with the country to which you move. For more information about international social security agreements with particular countries, view the Australia's International Social Security Agreements.

How do I find out which payments are affected

The Payment outside Australia Table provides information regarding how long you can get your payment if you are living outside Australia permanently.

How do I claim a Centrelink payment while living outside Australia

You can download the claim forms to receive your payment while you are living outside Australia from the International Claim Forms page.

You can also claim your payment while you are outside Australia by telephoning Centrelink on our international telephone numbers or by visiting your local pension fund / social security office.

More information

For more information about how long you can get your payment if you leave Australia permanently to live, you can download the following factsheet:

  • Are you leaving Australia? - provides detailed information on how your payments may be affected by an absence from Australia.

Because of all the different rules which may affect your payment, it is important to contact Centrelink to have your particular circumstances assessed.

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  • Centrelink ABN: 29 468 422 437
  • Page last updated: 26 October 2009