Use this guide alongside the official service
Read the steps here first and keep the relevant documents or questions ready. Outside websites open in a new tab, so this guide stays here. To continue, return to the Pension Path tab or close the new tab.
If online steps are difficult, find phone, paper or in-person help.
Age and Australian residence
Age Pension age is 67. On the claim day you generally need to live in Australia, be physically present here and be an Australian resident under social security rules.
The ordinary residence requirement is ten years in total, including at least five continuous years. Refugee provisions, a specified widow concession and international agreements can change that rule. Citizenship alone does not establish the required residence history. Ask International Services if you have lived overseas.
Income and assets are separate tests
Centrelink works out the income-test result and assets-test result separately, then uses the lower applicable rate. The reductions are not simply added together. Thresholds depend on circumstances, including whether you are single or partnered and a homeowner.
Financial assets can have assumed income applied to them. This is called deeming; it may differ from the interest or return you actually receive. Use the official current thresholds rather than an old example.
Your partner and your home
If you are a couple, both partners' assessable income and assets generally count even if only one can receive pension. A younger partner's accumulation super can be exempt below pension age when it is not paying a super pension. Their wages, savings and property are not automatically exempt.
The principal home is usually exempt, subject to land and other conditions. Investment property, home-sale proceeds, retirement-village interests and family accommodation arrangements need separate checks.
Prepare for an individual assessment
- List all relevant income and assets, including overseas holdings and both partners' finances.
- Identify super accounts, income streams, property, gifts, businesses and private trusts or companies.
- Ask about permanent blindness, illness separation or residence exceptions if relevant.
- If the assessment prevents payment, check the reasons and consider separate cards and other assistance.
Ask for help with complex circumstances
Use Centrelink or International Services for your individual rules and evidence. FIS can explain the financial concepts. Business control, older income streams and accommodation rights often need detailed assessment; a simple online answer cannot settle them.
Your next-step checklist
For your own notes. Ticks do not submit a claim or notify an agency.
Print or write down your steps if you prefer.
Your official next step
When you are ready, use the official instructions to apply or make your change. Keep this guide open while you work through the service. Follow that service's instructions and keep any confirmation it gives you.
Services Australia: eligibility rules (opens in a new tab)Official sources for this page
Guidance reviewed 5 October 2026. Source checks and content reviews are different: a successful download does not confirm that every rule is unchanged.
- Who can get Age Pension (opens in a new tab)Services Australia · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
- Residence rules for Age Pension (opens in a new tab)Services Australia · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
- Income test for Age Pension (opens in a new tab)Services Australia · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
- Assets test for Age Pension (opens in a new tab)Services Australia · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
- Deeming (opens in a new tab)Services Australia · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
- How super affects your payment (opens in a new tab)Services Australia · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
- Real estate assets (opens in a new tab)Services Australia · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
- Private trusts and companies (opens in a new tab)Services Australia · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
- International Services help (opens in a new tab)Services Australia · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
- Financial Information Service (opens in a new tab)Services Australia · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
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