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Agreement on Social Security between the Government of New Zealand and Government of Australia
Treaty Code:
B2016-15
Treaty Type:
Bilateral/Plurilateral
Common Name:
Responsible Department:
Social Development
Administering Department:
Treaty Status:
In Force
Treaty Summary:
The social security agreement (SSA) coordinates the parties’ social security systems to enhance access to social security benefits for people who move between New Zealand and Australia.
SSAs with Australia date back to 1948. The current SSA supports Closer Economic Relations (CER) and the free flow of people between Australia and New Zealand under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement.
The SSA has the following coverage:
- for New Zealand – New Zealand Superannuation, Veteran’s Pension and Supported Living Payment for the severely disabled
- for Australia – Australian Age Pension, disability support pension for the severely disabled and carer payment in respect of the partner of a person who is in receipt of a disability support pension.
Key developments in the agreements between Australia and New Zealand include:
- 1948 – The first SSA between New Zealand and Australia was introduced.
- 1969 - The SSA became a full ‘host country’ SSA through which New Zealanders in Australia could gain immediate access to Australian social security benefits, and Australians had the same access to New Zealand benefits.
- 2001 – A new SSA implemented under which Australia and New Zealand share responsibility for paying age pension, New Zealand superannuation and veterans' pension and pensions for people with severe disabilities to Australians and New Zealanders resident in the other country.
- 2017 - Australia gradually increased its pension age from 65 to 67 between 1 July 2017 and 1 July 2023. In 2017, a pension age was introduced into the SSA to ensure continued fair sharing of social security costs between the two countries.
- 2025 – Australia developed an Interpretative Declaration to clarify the definition of ‘Australian resident’ in Article 5(1) of the Agreement. New Zealand has approved the Interpretative Declaration via Note Verbale. For more information about the Interpretative Declaration and the exchange of notes between Australia and New Zealand, see Australia’s Social Security Guide (10.2.3.10 People covered by the Agreement with New Zealand | Social Security Guide)
NZ Adherence Status:
In Force
Adherence Type:
Signature Date:
08/12/2016
Adherence Date:
Expired:
No
Date Concluded:
08/12/2016
Place Concluded:
Wellington
Entry Into Force Date:
01/07/2017
NZ Entry Into Force Date:
01/07/2017
Termination Date:
Withdrawal Date:
Withdrawal Notification Date:
NZ Objections:
No
NZ Reservations:
No
NZ Declarations:
No
NZ Territorial Applications:
None
NZTS Number:
NZTS2017/08
UNTS Number:
Other References:
Parties:
Adherence Type:
Adherence Date:
Signature Date:
08/12/2016
Entry Into Force:
01/07/2017
Contact Information:
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