Pension rates payable outside Australia

When we make payments

If you live or travel outside Australia long term, you’ll get a payment every 4 weeks.

February 2026 to January 2027 payments schedule

*Remember, if you’re paid by cheque, there may be mail delays over peak holiday periods.

Pension rates while outside Australia

This table shows the maximum basic rate and Basic Pension Supplement rate when you’re living outside Australia. Your rate may be less depending on your situation.

These figures are a guide only and are effective from 20 March 2026.

Allowable income while outside Australia

This table shows your allowable income if you’re on a full or a part pension.

Allowable assets while outside Australia

You and your partner can have assets up to a certain amount before your payment rate changes.

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.

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. In exceptional circumstances we may pay you by cheque.

Direct deposit payments

We can put your payment straight into your 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.

Foreign currency cheque payments

Cheques will be in local currency or in US dollars. This will depend on the country you’re living in.

You should get it in the post 14 to 20 days after we issue it. We use international and local mail systems to send your cheque. Delays due to the mail system are out of our control.

If you don’t get your cheque within 20 days, we can cancel it and send a new one. You’ll need to allow time for the new cheque to arrive.

If a cheque arrives after we cancel it, don’t cash it or put it into your account. If you do, your bank may charge you a fee.

Banking your cheque

When you deposit your cheque, it’ll need to clear before you can access the funds.

This could take:

• around 2 weeks if the cheque is in local currency
• up to 4 weeks for US dollar cheques.

In most countries we can pay pensions directly into bank accounts. We prefer this method of payment, as it is safe, quick and reliable.

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.