xerostar Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 Ubon Joe - I need your advice. I have a Non-OA retirement visa permitted to stay until 18th December 2020. At my last report I was told to return on the 6th December. Because of the Covid I was unable to return to Oz in March where I was going to apply for the pension I made an application for a pension online in July but they rejected it last week because I was not in Oz at the time of the application. With no income I have used up a good part of my 800,000 baht in the bank. Borders are still locked in WA and I don't fancy doing two weeks in quarantine due to the costs. What do you see as my alternatives - if any and what will be the possible consequences? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DrJack54 Posted October 27, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 27, 2020 You could use an agent to cover money in bank issue and obtain 12 month extension before Dec 18. Or you could see what's happening with 60 day extensions at that time. Lastly you could fly back to Oz. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post uncleP Posted October 27, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 27, 2020 1 hour ago, DrJack54 said: You could use an agent to cover money in bank issue and obtain 12 month extension before Dec 18. Or you could see what's happening with 60 day extensions at that time. Lastly you could fly back to Oz. I thought you had to be in oz for two years to get your government pension. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ozfarang Posted October 27, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 27, 2020 (edited) 37 minutes ago, uncleP said: I thought you had to be in oz for two years to get your government pension. No. You have to be in Australia to apply for the OAP. If granted you receive the pension from the date of application. You have to stay in Australia for two years for you pension to become portable if you have been living out of the country and returned to apply for the OAP Edited October 27, 2020 by ozfarang 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Croc Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 (edited) You may not find any life saving paddles anytime soon. You state you have no income over and above the 800k visa extension money which you are now using to live here. You found out the hard way that you can't apply for the pension from overseas, and even if you could travel easily to make the application, it is not portable until you have served your 2 years in Australia. If you are relying on the pension to provide your subsistence money in Thailand it can't happen for that period. I don't think there's any good short term solutions for you particularly in regard to the Aussie pension. Edited October 28, 2020 by Old Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell17au Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 You have 2 options 1: use an un-reputable agent that can falsify the documents 2: Contact the Australian Embassy and register for a repatriation flight back to Australia. The Australian borders are not closed to its own citizens returning on repatriation flights But what ever your choice is, you will still have to return to Australia for 2 years to qualify for your pension to be portable 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell17au Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 Check this website https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/age-pension/who-can-get-it/residence-rules To get Age Pension you generally need to have been an Australian resident for at least 10 years in total. For at least 5 of these years, there must be no break in your residence. If you are living in Thailand then you have broken your residency with Australia. So you may have to go back and live there for a minimum of 5 years with no break to be eligible to apply for the aged pension 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Stevemercer Posted October 28, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 28, 2020 There are a lot of people stuck overseas. Many have been unable to return to Australia in a timely way to apply for their Old Age Pensions. While the Australian Government is generally sympathetic, Centrelink is sticking to the old 'need to be in Australia for 2 years before applying' policy. While I can't comment about your Thai visa status, I suggest you write to the Australian Prime Minister, and Minister for Health, stating that you are unable to apply for the Old Age Pension in Australia because of the ongoing Covid restrictions making international travel difficult and unreasonably expensive. If enough people write, the Australian Government may well change their policy and allow a waiver for overseas applications. But you need to write now, seeking waiver, so your letter (and reply) is formally date stamped within the Australian beauraucratic system. If a subsequent waiver/amnesty is issued, then you may be able to make a claim from the date of your letter to the Prime Minister (or the date of your unsuccessful pension application, or the date of your actual pension entitlement, whichever is the latest). Maybe the Government will not change policy, but maybe they will. I strongly advice anyone in the same position to write in case this option opens up. I know of at least one gentleman who intends to take his case to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal if his application is knocked back because he has not been in Australia for the last two years. You need to use any means possible to get your foot in the door. 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvetsKram Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 18 hours ago, uncleP said: I thought you had to be in oz for two years to get your government pension. Have to be there to apply, can't take pension out of country for 2 years 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post oznomad Posted October 28, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 28, 2020 49 minutes ago, Russell17au said: Check this website https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/age-pension/who-can-get-it/residence-rules To get Age Pension you generally need to have been an Australian resident for at least 10 years in total. For at least 5 of these years, there must be no break in your residence. If you are living in Thailand then you have broken your residency with Australia. So you may have to go back and live there for a minimum of 5 years with no break to be eligible to apply for the aged pension I dont think you are interpreting that correctly. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rosst Posted October 28, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 28, 2020 There is a residency clause which states that you must be a resident for two years and present in Australia to apply for the OAP. I recently acquired my pension after only being in OZ for nine months. My rationale which was accepted was that as I was retired I was travelling and I had only held tourist visas but I have a house in OZ which is rented out, I file a tax return every year and I have worked and paid taxes for 51 years. It worked for me, not sure what your story is but after you get the OAP you can then travel and live OS. Good luck, oh after they said no, I went to my local Federal MP, had the card in my hand seven days later, don't be shy if you are entitled. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Will27 Posted October 28, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 28, 2020 1 hour ago, Russell17au said: Check this website https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/age-pension/who-can-get-it/residence-rules To get Age Pension you generally need to have been an Australian resident for at least 10 years in total. For at least 5 of these years, there must be no break in your residence. If you are living in Thailand then you have broken your residency with Australia. So you may have to go back and live there for a minimum of 5 years with no break to be eligible to apply for the aged pension This is totally incorrect. Should also be posted on the appropriate home country forum. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xerostar Posted October 28, 2020 Author Share Posted October 28, 2020 Thanks for all the well-meaning replies. I feel aggrieved by the way I have been treated by the OZ system. I worked as a dental practitioner for an unblemished 52 years during which time I witnessed hundreds of passport applications without remuneration, or thanks from the govt. Apparently I was trustworthy enough for that job. I find myself in this situation due mainly to the Covid-19 panic and not being able to apply for the pension on a trip booked for last March. Government departments are making hand-outs of what must be many millions of dollars to people affected by the lockdowns. I spoke to a Centrelink rep (with a foreign accent) a couple of times and requested a review but he was unmoved and pulled the "you must be in Oz to apply" chestnut. (They sat on my online application for 3 months). Besides that they falsely calculated I had an income of over $7000 a fortnight, but of course they did not want to admit that mistake. I applied for different bank loans but they were rejected because I have no income. Apparently the banks are better informed than Centrelink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Will27 Posted October 28, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 28, 2020 45 minutes ago, Stevemercer said: There are a lot of people stuck overseas. Many have been unable to return to Australia in a timely way to apply for their Old Age Pensions. While the Australian Government is generally sympathetic, Centrelink is sticking to the old 'need to be in Australia for 2 years before applying' policy. While I can't comment about your Thai visa status, I suggest you write to the Australian Prime Minister, and Minister for Health, stating that you are unable to apply for the Old Age Pension in Australia because of the ongoing Covid restrictions making international travel difficult and unreasonably expensive. If enough people write, the Australian Government may well change their policy and allow a waiver for overseas applications. But you need to write now, seeking waiver, so your letter (and reply) is formally date stamped within the Australian beauraucratic system. If a subsequent waiver/amnesty is issued, then you may be able to make a claim from the date of your letter to the Prime Minister (or the date of your unsuccessful pension application, or the date of your actual pension entitlement, whichever is the latest). Maybe the Government will not change policy, but maybe they will. I strongly advice anyone in the same position to write in case this option opens up. I know of at least one gentleman who intends to take his case to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal if his application is knocked back because he has not been in Australia for the last two years. You need to use any means possible to get your foot in the door. Again, this is incorrect. You do not have to have to be in Australia for 2 years before you apply for the OAP. You can pretty much for apply for the OAP on the day you return. You do have to satisfy some criteria though. Having lived in Australia for 2 years is not one of them. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will27 Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 10 minutes ago, xerostar said: Thanks for all the well-meaning replies. I feel aggrieved by the way I have been treated by the OZ system. I worked as a dental practitioner for an unblemished 52 years during which time I witnessed hundreds of passport applications without remuneration, or thanks from the govt. Apparently I was trustworthy enough for that job. I find myself in this situation due mainly to the Covid-19 panic and not being able to apply for the pension on a trip booked for last March. Government departments are making hand-outs of what must be many millions of dollars to people affected by the lockdowns. I spoke to a Centrelink rep (with a foreign accent) a couple of times and requested a review but he was unmoved and pulled the "you must be in Oz to apply" chestnut. (They sat on my online application for 3 months). Besides that they falsely calculated I had an income of over $7000 a fortnight, but of course they did not want to admit that mistake. I applied for different bank loans but they were rejected because I have no income. Apparently the banks are better informed than Centrelink. Sorry to say, but that's not a chestnut. It has been part of the criteria for as long as I can remember. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell17au Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, oznomad said: I dont think you are interpreting that correctly. I am not interpreting anything. That is the actual wording on the Australian Services website that was updated in November 2019. That update is just 1 year ago. Will27 claims that everything is incorrect but he is wrong because things have changed a lot since he could remember. Requirements have changed for many thing for pensions. Edited October 28, 2020 by Russell17au 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will27 Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 (edited) 30 minutes ago, Russell17au said: I am not interpreting anything. That is the actual wording on the Australian Services website that was updated in November 2019. That update is just 1 year ago. Will27 claims that everything is incorrect but he is wrong because things have changed a lot since he could remember. Requirements have changed for many thing for pensions. I assume he is talking about this: "If you are living in Thailand then you have broken your residency with Australia. So you may have to go back and live there for a minimum of 5 years with no break to be eligible to apply for the aged pension." You have interpreted it incorrectly. Like I said, you can go back and apply tomorrow. Edit* If you take this to the home country forum where it belongs, someone will explain it to you. There's pages of information there if you want to discuss it. Edited October 28, 2020 by Will27 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell17au Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 What I have stated is what the Services Australia claim that they require. How many of you have gone back to Australia and applied for the age pension as soon as you have arrived there? NONE of you. So therefore you do not know what you are talking about and you are giving false information instead of giving the correct information that is listed on the Australia Services website. When I applied for my age pension I had to have lived in Australia for a minimum of 2 years BEFORE I could apply and since then many things have changed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Will27 Posted October 28, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 28, 2020 3 minutes ago, Russell17au said: What I have stated is what the Services Australia claim that they require. How many of you have gone back to Australia and applied for the age pension as soon as you have arrived there? NONE of you. So therefore you do not know what you are talking about and you are giving false information instead of giving the correct information that is listed on the Australia Services website. When I applied for my age pension I had to have lived in Australia for a minimum of 2 years BEFORE I could apply and since then many things have changed. You have to have lived in Australia for a minimum of 2 years before it's portable. From what you're saying, an Aussie citizen could go back to Australia tomorrow after having lived in Thailand for 10 years and be told they have to wait 5 years before they get the pension. That's not going to happen. Like I said, take it to the home forum and it can be discussed in detail. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell17au Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 1 minute ago, Will27 said: You have to have lived in Australia for a minimum of 2 years before it's portable. From what you're saying, an Aussie citizen could go back to Australia tomorrow after having lived in Thailand for 10 years and be told they have to wait 5 years before they get the pension. That's not going to happen. Like I said, take it to the home forum and it can be discussed in detail. This post is about an Australian that is looking at his options because of the time he has on his visa and the way he could possibly get out of the mess he is in. So this is the right forum for that. You are wrong again. To get the aged pension back when I got mine you had to have been living in Australia for 2 years it had nothing to do with portability back then. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will27 Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 2 minutes ago, Russell17au said: This post is about an Australian that is looking at his options because of the time he has on his visa and the way he could possibly get out of the mess he is in. So this is the right forum for that. You are wrong again. To get the aged pension back when I got mine you had to have been living in Australia for 2 years it had nothing to do with portability back then. This thread is for visa's, not the Aussie pension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 3 minutes ago, Will27 said: This thread is for visa's, not the Aussie pension. Exactly. If OP wants to discuss the pension aspect he can post in the Home Country forum. Please confine responses to the visa issue. I'm sure @ubonjoewill be by soon to reply on that 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joinaman Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 but aside from the pension problem why not use a visa agent to get you a one year visa, no need for money in bank not sure what the cost is, was 12,000 for a retirement visa last April for me at least if you get this visa, its one less worry, and can renew the same way each year, no worries about 800k and other things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Lacessit Posted October 28, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 28, 2020 OP, you cannot live here on no income. Best shot is get a repatriation flight back to Oz, then find out how many real friends you have back there that will help you out. Nothing can be done with the OAP until you are on Australian soil. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post simple1 Posted October 28, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 28, 2020 18 minutes ago, Russell17au said: What I have stated is what the Services Australia claim that they require. How many of you have gone back to Australia and applied for the age pension as soon as you have arrived there? NONE of you. So therefore you do not know what you are talking about and you are giving false information instead of giving the correct information that is listed on the Australia Services website. When I applied for my age pension I had to have lived in Australia for a minimum of 2 years BEFORE I could apply and since then many things have changed. To repeat you have misinterpreted. So long as you can prove your intent to reside in Oz, you can apply for the Age Pension if you comply with criteria. The minimum requirement is living in Oz for ten years, with a minimum of staying for five years without a break (would exclude holidays). Common proof requirements are an Oz bank account, drivers license, rental agreement, doco of house ownership, Medicare card etc. if you cannot provide at time of arrival in Oz should only take a relatively short time to obtain the doco. Not sure the current processing time for an application, but when I applied five years ago it was 13 weeks. Payment is back dated to the time of application. You can apply for Jobseeker, not much, but helps if you're short of cash, whilst waiting for Age Pension 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell17au Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 The OP has 2 choices; 1: use an agent for his visa 2: return to Australia and hope for the best for his pension but eventually he will have to return to Australia to get his pension so he has some income as he has stated he has no income at the moment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSF Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 Being stuck in Asia with little money and no income is not fun. Then on top of that are visa difficulties. If I was in that situation I'd be looking to get back to WA asap. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell17au Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 (edited) There are repatriation flights but he must register at the Australian Embassy for the dates of the flights. If he does not return to Australia and sort something out about money then he is going to be in even bigger trouble if he cannot get a visa this year and he will still have to do something about his visa next year with no income.. Edited October 28, 2020 by Russell17au 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsaanAussie Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 Have a good look at the Centrelink pages. There are two issues involved: first, satisfying the eligibility requirements for the pension which include having resided in Australia for 35 years during the period from 16 yo to applying. If the total is less then the pension amount is reduced by 1/35th per year. The second is qualifying for the pension to be portable. The 2years comes into this section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsaanAussie Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 I like the OP have an OA retirement visa which I will apply to extend soon. I had thought of doing a border hop and letting it expire, re-entering on a tourist visa and then converting that to an O. Obviously reason being extensions on an OA will only be granted with 400K inpatient/40K outpatient health insurance and only for the period of coverage. All that went west with COVID so I will take the insurance. The OP will need to do the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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