on this page
- When we make payments
- What the pension rates are while outside Australia
- What allowable income is while outside Australia
- What allowable assets are while outside Australia
- What the deeming rates and thresholds are while outside Australia
- How we calculate your rate of payment
- How we make payments
- How someone can deal with us on your behalf
When we make payments
If you live or travel outside Australia long term, you’ll get regular payments every 4 weeks.
September 2022 to September 2023 payments schedule
| Date we'll issue your payment | Date you'll get your direct deposit payment | Date you'll get your cheque payment | Period the payment covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 September 2022 | 28 September 2022 | 12 October 2022 | 25 August to 21 September 2022 |
| 20 October 2022 | 26 October 2022 | 9 November 2022 | 22 September to 19 October 2022 |
| 17 November 2022 | 23 November 2022 | 7 December 2022 | 20 October to 16 November 2022 |
| 15 December 2022 | 21 December 2022 | 4 January 2023 | 17 November to 14 December 2022 |
| 12 January 2023 | 18 January 2023 | 1 February 2023 | 15 December 2022 to 11 January 2023 |
| 9 February 2023 | 15 February 2023 | 1 March 2023 | 12 January 2023 to 8 February 2023 |
| 9 March 2023 | 15 March 2023 | 29 March 2023 | 9 February to 8 March 2023 |
| 4 April 2023 (payment brought forward) | 10 April 2023 | 24 April 2023 | 9 March to 5 April 2023 |
| 4 May 2023 | 10 May 2023 | 25 May 2023 | 6 April to 3 May 2023 |
| 1 June 2023 | 7 June 2023 | 21 June 2023 | 4 May to 31 May 2023 |
| 29 June 2023 | 4 July 2023 | 18 July 2023 | 1 June to 28 June 2023 |
| 27 July 2023 | 2 August 2023 | 16 August 2023 | 29 June to 26 July 2023 |
| 24 August 2023 | 30 August 2023 | 13 September 2023 | 27 July to 23 August 2023 |
| 21 September 2023 | 27 September 2023 | 11 October 2023 | 24 August to 20 September 2023 |
| 19 October 2023 | 25 October 2023 | 8 November 2023 | 21 September to 18 October 2023 |
Remember, if you’re paid by cheque, there may be mail delays over peak holiday periods.
What the pension rates are 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 September 2022.
| 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 | $24,356.80 | $36,722.40 | $18,361.20 | $24,356.80 |
| Basic Pension Supplement rate | $681.40 | $1,123.20 | $561.60 | $681.20 |
| Total | $25,038.20 | $37,845.60 | $18,922.80 | $25,038.20 |
What allowable income is while outside Australia
This table shows your allowable income if you’re on a full or a part pension.
| Pension type | A$ 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 $4,940 |
Up to $8,736 |
Up to $8,736 |
Up to $8,736 |
| Part pension | Less than $55,016.00 |
Less than $84,427.00 |
Less than $84,427.00 |
Less than $108,888.00 |
What allowable assets are while outside Australia
You and your partner can have assets up to a certain amount before your payment rate changes.
| Pension type | A$ 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 $280,000 |
Up to $419,000 |
Up to $419,000 |
Up to $419,000 |
| Full pension - non-homeowner | Up to $504,500 |
Up to $643,500 |
Up to $643,500 |
Up to $643,500 |
| Part pension - homeowner | Less than $601,000 |
Less than $904,500 |
Less than $904,500 |
Less than $1,061,000 |
| Part pension - non-homeowner | Less than $825,500 |
Less than $1,129,000 |
Less than $1,129,000 |
Less than $1,285,500 |
What the deeming rates and thresholds are while outside Australia
Deeming is a set of rules used to work out the income created from your financial assets. It assumes these assets earn a set rate of income, no matter what they really earn.
| Deeming rates and thresholds | A$ 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 | $56,400 | $93,600 | $93,600 | $93,600 |
| Rate below threshold | 0.25% | 0.25% | 0.25% | 0.25% |
| Rate above threshold | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% | 2.25% |
How we calculate your rate of payment
We calculate your payment rate under both the income and assets tests. We apply the test that results in the lower rate or nil rate. We deem some assets to earn income. There are special rules for other types of income. Read more about what we regard as income and assets for the purpose of calculating your rate of pension.
There’s no income or assets test if you’re permanently blind.
Reduced rate
You may get a reduced rate of pension based on how long you were an Australian resident.
Transitional rate
Transitional rules ensured pensioners weren’t worse off after the introduction of the 20 September 2009 pension income test. People getting a pension on 19 September 2009 will get the transitional rate. They will get it until it’s no longer higher that the current income tested rate.
You’re not eligible for the Work Bonus if you get the transitional rate.
Work Bonus
The Work Bonus applies if you’re Age Pension age. It allows you to earn up to $300 every 2 weeks without it affecting your pension.
If you earn less than $300, you can build up an employment income bank with unused amounts. We then offset these credits in future fortnights if you earn more than $300. The maximum Work Bonus you can accrue is currently $7,800.
You can’t get Work Bonus if you get Parenting Payment single.
Read more about Work Bonus.
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.
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.