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When we make payments
If you live outside Australia long term, you’ll get a payment every 4 weeks.
October 2026 to December 2027 payments schedule
| Date we’ll issue your payment | Date you’ll get your direct deposit payment | Period the payment covers |
|---|---|---|
| 15 October 2026 | 21 October 2026 | 17 September to 14 October 2026 |
| 12 November 2026 | 18 November 2026 | 15 October to 11 November 2026 |
| 10 December 2026 | 16 December 2026 | 12 November to 9 December 2026 |
| 7 January 2027 | 13 January 2027 | 10 December 2026 to 6 January 2027 |
| 4 February 2027 | 10 February 2027 | 7 January to 3 February 2027 |
| 4 March 2027 | 10 March 2027 | 4 February to 3 March 2027 |
| 1 April 2027 | 7 April 2027 | 4 March to 31 March 2027 |
| 29 April 2027 | 5 May 2027 | 1 April to 28 April 2027 |
| 27 May 2027 | 2 June 2027 | 29 April to 26 May 2027 |
| 24 June 2027 | 30 June 2027 | 27 May to 23 June 2027 |
| 22 July 2027 | 28 July 2027 | 24 June to 21 July 2027 |
| 19 August 2027 | 25 August 2027 | 22 July to 18 August 2027 |
| 16 September 2027 | 22 September 2027 | 19 August to 15 September 2027 |
| 14 October 2027 | 20 October 2027 | 16 September to 13 October 2027 |
| 11 November 2027 | 17 November 2027 | 14 October to 10 November 2027 |
| 9 December 2027 | 15 December 2027 | 11 November to 8 December 2027 |
Pension rates while outside Australia
This table shows the maximum basic rate available to people living outside Australia. The rate you receive may be lower, depending on your situation.
These figures are a guide only and are effective from 20 September 2026.
| Rates | A$ amount per year single | A$ amount per year couple both eligible | A$ amount per year couple one eligible partner | A$ amount per year couple separated due to ill health |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum basic rate | A$29,520.40 | A$44,506.80 | A$22,253.40 | A$29,520.40 |
Allowable income while outside Australia
This table shows your allowable income if you’re on a full or a part pension.
| Pension type | A$ amount per year single | A$ amount per year combined couple both eligible | A$ amount per year combined couple one eligible partner | A$ amount per year combined couple separated due to ill health |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full pension | Up to A$5,876.00 | Up to A$10,296.00 | Up to A$10,296.00 | Up to A$10,296.00 |
| Part pension | Less than A$64,916.80 | Less than A$99,309.60 | Less than A$99,309.60 | Less than A$128,377.60 |
Allowable assets while outside Australia
You and your partner can have assets up to a certain amount before your payment rate changes.
| Pension type | A$ amount per year single | A$ amount per year combined couple both eligible | A$ amount per year combined couple one eligible partner | A$ amount per year combined couple separated due to ill health |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full pension - homeowner | Up to A$333,000 | Up to A$499,000 | Up to A$499,000 | Up to A$499,000 |
| Full pension - non-homeowner | Up to A$600,000 | Up to A$766,000 | Up to A$766,000 | Up to A$766,000 |
| Part pension - homeowner | Less than A$711,500 | Less than A$1,070,000 | Less than A$1,070,000 | Less than A$1,256,000 |
| Part pension - non-homeowner | Less than A$978,500 | Less than A$1,337,000 | Less than A$1,337,000 | Less than A$1,523,000 |
Deeming rates and thresholds while outside Australia
Deeming is a set of rules used to work out the income created from your financial assets. It assumes these assets earn a set rate of income, no matter what they really earn.
| Deeming rates and thresholds | A$ amount single | A$ amount per year couple both eligible | A$ amount per year couple one eligible partner | A$ amount per year couple separated due to ill health |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threshold | A$66,800 | A$110,600 | A$110,600 | A$110,600 |
| Rate below threshold | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% |
| Rate above threshold | 3.25% | 3.25% | 3.25% | 3.25% |
How we calculate your rate of payment
We calculate the rate of payment under both the income and assets tests. We apply the test that results in the lower rate or nil rate. Some assets are deemed to earn income. There are special rules for other types of income. You can read more about income and assets for the purpose of calculating your rate of pension.
If you’re permanently blind, there’s no income or assets test.
Reduced rate
You may get a reduced rate of pension based on how long you were an Australian resident.
Transitional rate
Some customers may get a transitional rate of pension based on the pre-20 September 2009 income test rules. If you’re eligible, we’ll compare the transitional rate to the current rate.
If the current rate is the same or higher, we’ll pay you the current rate instead. You can’t go back to the transitional rate once you get the current rate of pension.
Work Bonus
If you’re an eligible pensioner who is working, the Work Bonus can help you keep more of your pension. Work Bonus does not apply to the transitional rate of pension or Parenting Payment Single.
Read more about Work Bonus.
Disability Support Pension
If you’re younger than 21 years and don’t have any dependent children in your care, there are different rates of payment. Read more about Disability Support Pension payment rates.
How we make payments
We’ll pay you outside Australia by direct deposit.
We can put your payment straight into your nominated bank account. This can be a bank account held in or outside Australia. Your payment will be available within 6 days of issue.
If you don’t get your payment within 10 days, contact your bank. If your bank can’t help you, call our International services line.
If we’re paying into an Australian bank account, we’ll pay you in Australian dollars.
If we’re paying into a bank account outside Australia, we’ll pay you in local currency or US dollars. This will depend on what country you’re living in.
You’ll need to complete an International bank account form for any banks outside Australia.
How someone can deal with us on your behalf
You can nominate a person or organisation outside Australia to act on your behalf with us.
Fill in the Authorising a person or organisation to enquire or act on your behalf (outside Australia) form.
Find out more about someone to deal with us on your behalf.
Contact numbers available on this page.
Centrelink international services line
Use this line for help claiming a pension from another country.
There are other ways you may want to contact us.