The Social Security Agreement between Australia and China: What You Need to Know
The Social Security Agreement between Australia and China is an agreement that provides a framework for cooperation between the two countries on social security matters. It was signed in 2002 and came into effect in 2005.
This agreement is significant as it ensures that people who have lived or worked in both countries are not disadvantaged when it comes to claiming social security benefits. It covers a range of benefits, including pensions, disability support, and survivors` benefits.
One of the key features of the agreement is that it allows people who have worked in both countries to count their periods of contribution towards the minimum qualifying period for each country`s social security system. This means that people who have split their working lives between Australia and China will not have to start from scratch when it comes to claiming benefits.
Additionally, the agreement helps to eliminate double coverage, which occurs when a worker and his or her employer are required to pay social security contributions in both countries. Under the agreement, the worker and employer are only required to pay contributions to the social security system of the country in which the worker is currently working.
One important aspect of the agreement is that it covers the payment of pensions to people who have moved from one country to another. For example, if a person has worked in China and then moves to Australia, they will be able to receive their Chinese pension while living in Australia.
However, it is important to note that the payment of social security benefits under the agreement is subject to certain conditions, such as the duration of the person`s contributions, their residency status, and the type of benefit they are claiming.
In conclusion, the Social Security Agreement between Australia and China is a significant agreement that provides a framework for cooperation between the two countries on social security matters. It ensures that people who have lived or worked in both countries are not disadvantaged when it comes to claiming social security benefits, and it covers a range of benefits, including pensions, disability support, and survivors` benefits. If you are someone who has worked or lived in both Australia and China, it is important to familiarize yourself with the details of this agreement to ensure that you are able to claim the benefits you are entitled to.