To qualify for Australian benefits in the absence of an agreement, applicants must normally be residents of and physically present in Australia at the time the applicant files the application. In addition, applicants must meet certain length-of-residence requirements.

1. 1. 

   Residence requirements

   Applicants who are residents of and physically present in the United States at the time of applying for Australian benefits can qualify for benefits even though they are not residents of and physically present in Australia at the time of application.  In addition, Australia will count any U.S. quarters of coverage (QCs) as 3 months of Australian residence when determining if the applicant meets the length-of-residence requirements.  However, applicants who are not current residents of Australia must have resided in Australia in the past for a minimum of 12 months, of which at least 6 months were continuous, before Australia will count U.S. QCs when determining eligibility for an Australian benefit.

2. 2. 

   Carer payment

   Australia will pay a carer payment to residents of the United States on the same basis as residents of Australia provided that the caregiver is recognized under Australian law as the partner of an Australian beneficiary.

3. 3. 

   Income test

   Australia will not count any Supplemental Security Income benefits or any State or local government assistance payments when counting a person's income to determine the benefit amount. However, Australia will count other income and resources, including Title II benefits, in accordance with Australian law and the Totalization agreement with Australia.

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  GN 01743.020, Australian Social Security Benefits - Eligibility Requirements