Australian Pension

[TT1951]

Hey Guys

 

 Is anyone retired in Thailand and being paid the Australian Pension and if so I was wondering what is the requirments to be able to do so.

 

Thanks in advance 😉

[DrJack54]

Very comprehensive OP in this attached thread. 

 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

41 minutes ago, TT1951 said:

Hey Guys

 

 Is anyone retired in Thailand and being paid the Australian Pension and if so I was wondering what is the requirments to be able to do so.

 

Thanks in advance 😉

Can you let me know what situation you are in and what age.

Are you in Australia now. Have you reached retirement age and can claim the Pension?

Are you in Thailand now and thinking of going back to claim the Pension and then return here?

[scorecard]

23 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Can you let me know what situation you are in and what age.

Are you in Australia now. Have you reached retirement age and can claim the Pension?

Are you in Thailand now and thinking of going back to claim the Pension and then return here?

All of the above questions are relevant and important.

 

The first point is - are you already receiving the OAP in Australia?   

 

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[scorecard]

On 6/21/2025 at 11:12 AM, DrJack54 said:

Very comprehensive OP in this attached thread. 

 

 

[scorecard]

On 6/22/2025 at 11:01 AM, scorecard said:

All of the above questions are relevant and important.

 

The first point is - are you already receiving the OAP in Australia?   

 

 

 

There's 2 subjects entangled so far?

 

1. If an Aust. citizen is appoved for the OAP, can they receive the 4 weekty payments (full OAP entitlement and OAP supplement) in Thailand on a very long-term basis (lifetime)? The basic answer is yes if that person is entitled to 'portability'.

 

But when abroad the pensioner is  not entitled to the energy allowance or rent ssistance.  

 

If paid abroad the payments change from fortnightly to 4 weekly ( 2 fortnights).  Transeffered by international bank transfer from Service Autralia (Centrelink) to the bank account of the recipient in the country abroad. e.g. K Bank of BBL, or....

 

The bank fees ae tiny and the transfer is very fast. The name of the bank account to receive the funds must include the name of the persioner, but it can be a joint savings account, the pensioner and one more person. Centrelink prefer that the second name on the bank account to be a family member but that's not compulsory. Cenrelink is not interested in any details re who must sign for withrawal in the other country. Can be the pensioner alone, or the second account owner alone or both parties. Up to you.

 

Mine is a K Bank joint savings account, myself and my Thai son (I was not asked for any proof he is my son). As soon as the funds are deposited I get an instantaneous e.mailed 'Credit Advice' from K Bank in English and in Thai. I had to request this facility, took 5 minutes, it's not free, from memory 200Baht per year. 

 

 

2. Australian taxation implications when the OAP is being received abroad - already much written in these threads on that point. And difficult to find a clear answer. If the OAP is the only income then it's likely there's no tax implications.

[KhunHeineken]

14 hours ago, scorecard said:

1. If an Aust. citizen is appoved for the OAP, can they receive the 4 weekty payments (full OAP entitlement and OAP supplement) in Thailand on a very long-term basis (lifetime)? The basic answer is yes if that person is entitled to 'portability'.

 

But when abroad the pensioner is  not entitled to the energy allowance or rent ssistance.  

 

If paid abroad the payments change from fortnightly to 4 weekly ( 2 fortnights).  Transeffered by international bank transfer from Service Autralia (Centrelink) to the bank account of the recipient in the country abroad. e.g. K Bank of BBL, or....

 

The bank fees ae tiny and the transfer is very fast. The name of the bank account to receive the funds must include the name of the persioner, but it can be a joint savings account, the pensioner and one more person. Centrelink prefer that the second name on the bank account to be a family member but that's not compulsory. Cenrelink is not interested in any details re who must sign for withrawal in the other country. Can be the pensioner alone, or the second account owner alone or both parties. Up to you.

 

Mine is a K Bank joint savings account, myself and my Thai son (I was not asked for any proof he is my son). As soon as the funds are deposited I get an instantaneous e.mailed 'Credit Advice' from K Bank in English and in Thai. I had to request this facility, took 5 minutes, it's not free, from memory 200Baht per year. 

None of this has ever been in dispute.  It's common knowledge. 

 

14 hours ago, scorecard said:

2. Australian taxation implications when the OAP is being received abroad - already much written in these threads on that point. And difficult to find a clear answer. If the OAP is the only income then it's likely there's no tax implications.

This has been the subject of much debate. 

 

I suggest the OP watch the below youtube video.  She explains it very well.  The reason we have ALL got away with it for so long is the current 90 year old laws have a lot of loopholes and are very subjective.  This will change when the proposed changes are passed and Australia moves to a physical presence and time based model, as many other countries have, including Thailand.  

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-igEUe8CrVM