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Post by onemore on Apr 14, 2018 8:30:51 GMT 7
I have in the past queried members on the forum about what to expect when applying for the OAP about the amount of travel that one does prior to applying for the OAP when actually applying.
Yesterday I went to a Centrelink office here in Melbourne and asked the question:-
Does the amount of time I spend in and outside of Australia has any bearing on my application for the OAP when I actually apply for the OAP?
The officer, a Vietnamese lady was very friendly and actually amazed that I was asking the question, to which she asked the following from me, "Do you meet all of the requirements for the OAP for the time you have worked in Australia? Are you an Australian resident? Do you have an address in Australia?
Having answered yes to all her questions she just said "we don't care how long you spend travelling in and out of Australia prior to applying for the OAP, just be aware that at the moment and if the legislation doesn't change you are only allowed out of the country for a maximum of 28 weeks once you are on the OAP"
My next question "Do you check my passport regarding my movements in and out of Australia?"
She replied "Why would we, where you go on holidays is of no concern to us".
Just putting it out there.
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Post by nomadic on Apr 14, 2018 8:37:58 GMT 7
they do check passport movements. that is 100% certain. Another case of either lies or incompetence if she said different. The 28 weeks outside only on the OAP doesn't make sense to me either but not certain on that one.
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Post by onemore on Apr 14, 2018 8:47:11 GMT 7
Nomadic,
Yes, I agree with you, which is why I am going to go to another Centrelink office far, far away and ask the same questions.
It should be very interesting when they look me up on the system, as I have been going in and out of Australia for a month at a time for the last 25 years.
Cheers
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Post by Banjo on Apr 14, 2018 9:11:58 GMT 7
Don't go to a local office if you want to discuss OAP portability, ring International Services.
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Post by onemore on Apr 14, 2018 9:29:49 GMT 7
Don't wish to discuss portability, just OAP.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2018 9:54:58 GMT 7
We all know that when we arrive and depart Australia Immigration is linked to Centrelink
I dont think Centrelink actually check your passport
But they would see by the data how long you have been staying overseas
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2018 10:05:39 GMT 7
Yesterday I informed International Services I was going travelling. I was advised the government have been unsuccessful to date trying to tamper with OAP Portability, but that could change!
I told them I was unsure how long I'd be away, other than to say, "I may come back for a month around Christmas/New Year, then go again."
The nice lady said, "That's all fine, enjoy your travels.", and is sending a letter with details and my supplements will cease after six weeks. Cheers bear
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Post by onemore on Apr 14, 2018 10:10:20 GMT 7
We all know that when we arrive and depart Australia Immigration is linked to Centrelink I dont think Centrelink actually check your passport But they would see by the data how long you have been staying overseas Would I be correct in saying the key words in your post is "how long you have been staying overseas" is that what they are really looking at, and not the frequency of travel? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2018 10:13:45 GMT 7
Only if you have lived overseas for long periods at a time
If only for short times
maybe up to a couple of months at a time
Not like live for most of the year
It is hard to understand how they will interperate peoples overseas visits
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Post by mikey on Apr 14, 2018 10:45:40 GMT 7
My understanding on all this, payment of the OAP while you are overseas, reduces relevant to your working life in oz after 28 weeks. The government tried to change it to a much shorter period of time, maybe 6 weeks, (its posted here somewhere), but that didn't pass. Its a safe bet, the Vietnamese Centrelink employee might be dealing with a lot of people based on her ethnic cultural background that would not have 35 years working in Australia, so she has given a semi accurate answer.
We all know most front desk employees don't follow this stuff like we do, and until its asked are clueless, or as they are unlikely to have been corrected. Every face-to-face encounter I've had with Centrelink employees, I've been the one educating them, which ironically, they have all been grateful for.
Centrelink don't have intimate access to your bank accounts or travel, but as systems are now becoming more integrated, they know when you enter and leave Australia, though probably a frontline staff member cant just look that up on a whim.
As stated by Banjo, call the right department, ie internationl Services or Financial services, rather than ask a front counter employee. I live 1 minute from centrelink here, and have learnt that i spend more time helping them than they have ever helped me. On the phone i get the correct people, or if they aren't sure and ask me to be put on hold, I ask to be transferred to the person they are talking to, so i don't get 2nd hand info.
I do volunteer work with people on the OAP, who had believed wrongly, that they have their payments suspended if they are overseas longer than 6 weeks, like we on the DSP do after 4 weeks. I was shocked that this is the perception, because its surprising how much we are focused on the media etc here on the forum, but how little they pay attention to what actually affects them and the reporting of it. These people are ex-librarians etc, so they are not adverse to reading either.
Unfortunately in forums info, does get a bit lost as the posts build up, but i'm glad as a community, we are all ready to correct the facts when needed.
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Post by onemore on Apr 14, 2018 11:01:51 GMT 7
Mikey,
Thanks
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