People are able to receive most Centrelink payments while overseas as long as certain conditions and criteria are satisfied. This is referred to as the portability of payments, i.e. the ability to receive payments while absent from Australia.

Different payments will have rules regarding eligibility and payment. There are specific rules relating to payments for the Aged Pension, Disability Support Pension, JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance and Sickness Allowances.

Portability of payments is a complex area of law and legal advice should be sought.

The legislative provisions relating to portability can be found in Part 4.2 of the Social Security Act 1991 (Cth) and in the Social Security (International Agreements) Act 1999 (Cth).