When determining entitlement to U.S. Totalization benefits under the Agreement, the
Social Security Administration (SSA) can only count periods of Australian working
life residence when the worker was employed or self-employed. However, since Australia's
system is based on residence rather than work, the Australian agency may not be able
to determine whether the worker was employed versus self-employed during any particular
period of residence. To assist Australian authorities in locating all work-related
periods of residence, the applicant should submit any evidence (e.g., pay slips, letters
from employers, tax returns) the applicant has showing periods of work in Australia.