One of the most common questions from Australian retirees is: "Can I keep my Age Pension if I travel overseas?"
The answer depends entirely on who you are (a long-term resident or a returning resident) and how long you go for.
✈️ Travel Rules at a Glance (2025)
For standard Australian pensioners going on holiday:
- Less than 6 Weeks: No change to your main payment.
- 6 to 26 Weeks: Pension continues, but supplements (Energy/Pension Supplement) may reduce.
- Over 26 Weeks: "Proportionality" kicks in. If you have less than 35 years of Australian working life residence, your payment will reduce.
- Returning Residents: If you recently moved back to Australia to claim the pension, you generally cannot take it overseas at all for 2 years.
Part 1: General Rules for Australian Pensioners 🌏
If you have lived in Australia for most of your life and are just going on a long holiday, here is what you need to know.
Travel Duration & Impact
| Time Overseas | Main Pension Payment | Supplements |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 6 Weeks | ✅ No Change | ✅ No Change |
| 6 - 26 Weeks | ✅ No Change | ❌ Reduced to Basic Rate |
| 26+ Weeks | ⚠️ Proportional Rate* | ❌ Stopped |
The "26 Week" Rule (Proportionality)
Once you have been outside Australia for 26 weeks (about 6 months), Centrelink checks your Australian Working Life Residence (AWLR).
- 35+ Years AWLR: You continue to get your full rate (minus supplements).
- Less than 35 Years: Your pension is paid proportionally. For example, if you lived in Australia for 17.5 years (half of 35), you would only receive 50% of the pension while overseas.
Part 2: The "2-Year Rule" (For Returning Residents) 🏠
This rule causes the most confusion. It does not apply to everyone. It specifically targets former residents who return to Australia to claim the pension.
If you returned to Australia and claimed the Age Pension recently, you must remain an Australian resident for 2 years before you can take your pension overseas (portability).
Top 5 Questions on the 2-Year Rule
1. Does this apply to me?
Only if you are a former resident returning to live in Australia. If you have always lived here, this rule does not apply to you.
2. Can I go on holiday during the 2 years?
Technically, no. During the 2-year waiting period, your pension is generally not portable. This means if you leave Australia, your payment stops immediately. It can usually be restarted when you return, provided you haven't abandoned your Australian residency.
3. When does the clock start?
The 24-month period starts on the day you become an Australian resident again, not the day your pension is granted.
4. Are there exceptions?
Exceptions are very limited (e.g., life-threatening medical emergencies for you or a family member). A simple holiday or visiting family does not count as an exception.
Want to learn more?
For more information on how the Age Pension is taxed and how it works while you are living overseas, be sure to check out our other detailed videos on the topic.
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