Formal agreements exist between Australia and Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hellenic Republic, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Madedonia, Malta, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the USA. The agreements allow residents who move from Australia to the country concerned or to Australia from one of these countries to qualify for some pensions in the destination country without meeting the normal residential requirements. International agreements are now found in the Social Security (International Agreements) Act 1999 (Cth).

These agreements do not apply to all social security payments. This is a complex area and any specific queries should be taken to a community legal centre, Victoria Legal Aid or a solicitor. See: Chapter 2*4 Advice Directory, for a listing of community legal centres.