LEX 84719 Decision Document Final.pdf

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 1 of 23
s22 (Out of Scope)
Restricted portability assessment procedure for Centrelink International Services staff
061-01110050
Currently published version valid from 7/04/2025 7:16 PM
Background
s22 (Out of Scope)
This document details how Centrelink International Services (CIS) staff determine if a customer
in receipt of a payment which al ows travel for an approved reason is payable while they are
outside Australia and for how long. It also explains the actions Service Officers and customers
take.
Approved temporary absence portability reasons
Some payments can be payable outside Australia for speciﬁc reasons. Approval of portability
for these reasons is limited to CIS. These approved reasons fal into 2 distinct categories with
different periods of payment depending on the type.
Approved temporary absence reasons are:
•
to attend an acute family crisis (AFC)
•
for humanitarian reasons (HUM)
•
to get medical treatment not available in Australia (MED)
Required duration absence reasons are:
•
to attend a training camp with the Australian Defence Force Reserves (MIL)
•
to do overseas study that is part of a ful -time Australian course (Overseas Full Time
Study (OFS))
A customer travel ing for an approved temporary absence may be paid for the period required to
deal with the reason for absence. This should general y be no longer than two to three weeks.
Payments can be portable for up to six weeks (four weeks maximum for DSP). However, it would
be an exceptional situation that would require a customer’s attendance outside Australia for the
maximum period of portability. Staff should only grant two to three weeks initial y.
A customer travel ing for a required duration absence may be paid for as long as the
circumstances require.

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 2 of 23
Initial y, the Service Officer talking to the customer assesses whether the customer is travel ing
outside of Australia for one of the approved reasons. If approval is a possibility, staff must refer
the case to CIS. CIS staff wil  decide whether the:
•  customer's situation ﬁts within the strict guidelines, and
•  veriﬁcation of the reason for the absence is acceptable
Note: CIS are not responsible for assessing Overseas Ful -time Study (OFS), except for DSP
customers. For al  other customers, the Students Processing area assesses OFS.
Payments portable for an approved reason
Not all payments are portable for an approved reason. Similarly, the payments portable for an
approved reason vary according to the reason for travel.
For a summary of which type of absence may apply to which payment, see the Portability table
on the Resources page.
DSP customer paid under an international agreement travelling to a third country
If a DSP customer is paid by virtue of an international agreement and they travel outside the
agreement country, the agreement:
•  might impose its own portability rules, or
•  it may refer to autonomous portability rules
If an agreement refers to autonomous rules, a DSP customer wil  be subject to the same time
limits as an autonomous DSP customer departing Australia if they:
•  are paid by virtue of that agreement, and
•  leave the agreement country for a third country
This means third country portability:
•  wil  general y be limited to 28 days in a rol ing 12 month period, and
•  may be granted if travel ing for an approved temporary absence reason of up to 28 days
For more information, see Portability of payments paid under international agreements.
Acceptable proof of the absence
If the customer is travel ing for an approved reason the CIS Service Officer wil  determine
whether the payment can continue before getting acceptable proof of the absence. In most
cases, CIS wil  tell the customer an assessment wil  happen once they give evidence.
s47E(d)

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 3 of 23
If a Service Officer makes an approval before receipt of evidence, the customer must supply
supporting documentation on their return. Services Australia wil  raise a debt if the customer
does not supply documentation or it is not acceptable.
In al  other cases, for both approved temporary absence reasons and required duration absence
reasons, the customer should give acceptable proof of the absence before approving payment.
This is to prevent raising unnecessary overpayments because of unacceptable evidence.
Where a Service Officer has not granted a pre-approval, payment wil  stop from the date of
departure, unless the customer is:
•  receiving a limited portability payment, and
•  still has a period of general portability available
Once the customer gives acceptable proof of the absence, a Service Officer wil  make an
assessment and issue arrears to the customer if eligible.
Unable to return to Australia
The customer should contact CIS if:
•  the agency granted portability for an approved reason, and
•  they cannot return to Australia by the approved end date
If they do not contact the agency, their payment wil  stop.
If more time overseas is required, the CIS Service Officer can discuss their circumstances to
determine if they may extend the approved reason.
Services Australia has the discretion to extend the period of portability under certain
circumstances, if:
•  the customer is unable to return to Australia for a reason other than an approved
reason (for example, they are hospitalised themselves), or
•  they are stil  required overseas at the end of the maximum portability period
If a customer remains outside Australia after their payment has stopped for a portability related
reason, continuation of payment on their return to Australia may be possible. General y, the
agency can restore their payment if they return to Australia within 13 weeks of their payment
stopping.
Portability interview
The s47E(d)
wil  correctly assess the customer's entitlement
to payment while outside Australia. If the script is available, code the absence from Australia
using the script.
Service centre and Smart Centre staff handle the portability interview and any departure coding
where a customer clearly does not satisfy an approved reason for travel. The s47E(d)

wil  guide service centre and Smart Centre staff when it is necessary to refer to CIS.
Designated CIS staff have the delegation to approve and record payment overseas for an
approved reason.

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 4 of 23
Portability period
A customer's portability period starts on the day they leave Australia. For portability purposes, a
customer is not considered to be inside Australia for any part of the day they departed Australia
regardless of the time of departure. If the customer is travelling outside Australia on a cruise the
date of departure is the date the ship leaves the last Australian port.
The day a customer returns to Australia is not included as part of their absence as they are
considered to be inside Australia on that day (regardless of the time of return) and therefore no
longer affected by portability. If they leave and return on the same day (for example, airline crew)
this is not considered a departure from Australia for portability purposes.
The Resources page contains contact details, Services Australia website links and a table of
which payments can be granted portability for an approved reason.
Related links
Changing details of a customer's travel to and/or from Australia
Coding departures and returns for customers leaving Australia
Coding specialist portability assessments for Centrelink International Services (CIS) staff
Completing the Accommodation Details (AC) screen and assessing Rent Assistance
Discretion to extend the portability period
Exempting a job seeker from their mutual obligation requirements when going overseas
Leaving Australia and portability of payments
Advising verbal y of an unfavourable decision
Overseas absences for acute family crisis
Overseas absences for Australian Defence Force Reserves
Overseas absences for eligible medical reasons
Overseas absences for humanitarian reasons
Portability of Add-ons
Portability of payments
Portability of payments paid under International Agreements
Restricted portability for payment during overseas absences where customer has special
circumstances
Returning to Australia
Student studying outside Australia
Translation of documents
View/update overseas travel online
Coding the CRES, ARD and RSS screens

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 5 of 23
Coding and viewing the RSCD, TOAD and TOAS portability screens

Process

For Centrelink International Services (CIS) staff only
This page contains information for Centrelink International Services (CIS) staff to:
•  determine if a customer can be paid while outside Australia for an approved reason
•  record the decision manual y if the s47E(d)
is not available
On this page:
Determination of required process
Notiﬁcation of an approved absence
Making a decision before evidence is received
Assessment of evidence received
Actioning return of evidence review
Determination of required process
Table 1: This table describes the process for a CIS Officer to determine which assessment
procedure is required.
Step
Action
1
Centrelink International Services Staff + Read more ...
Is the Service Officer in Centrelink International Services (CIS)?
•  Yes, go to Step 2
•  No, this procedure does not apply, see Leaving Australia and portability of
payments and select the correct procedure from those payments listed.
Procedure ends here
2
Determine the process to follow + Read more ...
If the customer wishes to discuss travel for an approved reason, see Step 1 in Table
2.
If the customer has given evidence to support travel for an approved reason,
see Step 1 in Table 4.
To action a return of evidence review relating to travel for an approved reason,
see Step 1 in Table 5.
Notiﬁcation of an approved absence

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 6 of 23
Table 2: This table describes the initial assessment by a CIS Officer to determine if an overseas
absence for an approved reason can be considered.
Step
Action
1
Conﬁrm that the departure is temporary + Read more ...
Restricted portability payments can only be granted if the overseas absence is
temporary.
Ask the customer their intended travel dates.
Is the absence temporary?
•  Yes, go to Step 2
•  No, this procedure does not apply. See Leaving Australia and portability of
payments and select the correct procedure from those payments listed.
Procedure ends here
2
Check if customer is leaving for an approved reason + Read more ...
Ask the customer why they are travel ing overseas. Note: some approved
reasons apply to certain payment types only. See the Portability - payment type and
approved reason table on the Resources page.
For help with this decision, see:
•  Overseas absences for acute family crisis
•  Overseas absences for humanitarian reasons
•  Overseas absences for eligible medical reasons
•  Overseas absences for Australian Defence Force Reserves
Note: if assessing travel for overseas ful -time study, see Student studying outside
Australia. Procedure ends here.
Is the reason for travel an approved reason?
•  Yes, go to Step 3
•  No, see Step 1 in Table 3
3
Acute family crisis (AFC) + Read more ...
Is the absence for an acute family crisis?
•  Yes, go to Step 4
•  No, see Step 1, Table 3
4
Discuss the circumstances surrounding the acute family crisis + Read more ...

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 7 of 23
If a person has to suddenly leave Australia because of an acute family crisis, it must
be for the purpose:
•  of visiting a family member who is:
o  critical y ill
o  hospitalised with an il ness which is serious
•  relating to:
o  the death of a family member, or
o  a life-threatening situation facing the family member which is
beyond their control
The acute family crisis provisions do not cover providing ongoing care for a family
member. If the purpose of the trip is to visit an il  family member, it is
understandable that a person may brieﬂy give some care or help during the visit. If
the purpose of the trip is to visit and then take on caring responsibilities, only grant
payment for the time considered a visit.
The customer must give evidence of the crisis. They can give evidence:
•  before departure
•  from overseas, or
•  upon return to Australia
Do the circumstances of the crisis meet the acute family crisis criteria and has the
customer said they have, or can obtain, evidence?
•  Yes, go to Step 5
•  No, go to Step 2 in Table 3
5
Family member deﬁnition + Read more ...
A family member is deﬁned under section 23(14) of the Social Security Act as a
partner, parent, sister, brother or child of the relevant person.
Is the customer travel ing for an acute family crisis affecting a family member as
per S23 (14) SSA?
•  Yes, see Step 1 in Table 3
•  No, go to Step 6
6
Alternative family member assessment + Read more ...
The deﬁnition of a family member may also cover someone who, in the opinion of
the delegate, has fulﬁlled a similar role as a family member. s47E(d)

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 8 of 23
s47E(d)

The Service Support Manager or Business Manager of CIS hold the delegation for
family member portability decisions. If appropriate, make a submission to the
delegate.
Before doing the family member assessment interview, discuss and consider the
fol owing with the customer:
s47E(d)
Likely outcome of discussion:
•  no assessment required where a person is clearly not like a family member.
For example, customer lived with extended family, including:
o  a grandparent who gave occasional care, and
o  parents who gave day to day care and responsibility
•  person may be considered to be fulﬁlling a role like that of a family member
and customer wishes to undergo assessment
There is no point in proceeding with a family member determination if the customer
would clearly not qualify.
Could the person in the AFC situation potential y be considered as fulﬁlling a role
similar to that of a family member?
•  Yes, go to Step 7
•  No, see Step 2 in Table 3
7
Submission for a family member assessment + Read more ...
For the delegate to consider a submission, give as much information as possible.
Discuss with the customer what circumstances they consider the person fulﬁl ed in
a role similar to a family member.

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 9 of 23
Run the s47E(d)
Fast Note, this has the mandatory
interview questions. s47E(d)

Note: this Fast Note automatical y completes a DOC on the customer record
when s47E(d) is selected. Include detailed information about the
discussion before ﬁnalising.
Once the interview is complete:
•  Complete a s47E(d)
webform. The CIS Service
Support Officer (SSO) wil  forward it to the delegate for their
consideration. Note: be clear in the submission whether the
recommendation is that the person is 'like a family member' or ‘not like a
family member'
•  When the delegate returns their response, continue with this process
Is the delegate’s recommendation that the person has fulﬁlled the role of a family
member?
•  Yes, see Step 1 in Table 3
•  No, see Step 2 in Table 3
Making a decision before evidence is received
Table 3: This table describes the information the customer needs to give and whether the
approved reason decision can be made before getting evidence.
Step
Action
1
Customer to give evidence for the approved reason + Read more ...
Absence is temporary and is for an approved reason.
In order for payment to be approved, evidence is needed which supports the reason
for travel. See acceptable proof of the absence to help in tel ing customer what type
of information is acceptable.
Once the customer gets the evidence, they can lodge it using
online services
or at their local service centre.
Can the customer get acceptable proof of the absence either immediately or on
their return to Australia?
•  Yes, go to Step 3
•  No, go to Step 2

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 10 of 23
2
Customer cannot receive payment for approved reason portability + Read more
...
The customer cannot receive payment overseas because the:
•  overseas absence is not for an approved reason
•  person is not considered to be a family member, or
•  customer cannot give satisfactory evidence for an approved reason
The customer's payment wil  stop from the date of departure, unless the customer
is receiving Disability Support Pension (DSP) and stil  has a period of general
portability available:
•  If available, run the s47E(d)
and include the fol owing details of the
decision in the Notes ﬁeld:
o  reason why customer is travel ing overseas
o  relevant names and dates of reason for travel
o  reason why payment cannot be made
o  any other information given by customer
•  Explain the decision to the customer and tel  them about the continuation
of payment on their return to Australia
•  Determine if the customer has to contact when they have returned to
Australia
•  If customer has income from employment income, see Recording and
correcting employment income details
Is the Portability Script working?
•  Yes, run the s47E(d)
. Procedure ends
here
•  No, go to Step 8
3
Absence because of the death of a family member + Read more ...
Usual y payment would not be considered until the customer gives evidence
supporting the reason for travel. However, if the customer is travel ing because of
the recent death of a family member, payment can be considered before getting
evidence. The reason for this is that it is unlikely the customer would give evidence
not deemed to be acceptable on return to Australia.
Is the customer travel ing because of the death of a family member?
•  Yes, go to Step 5
•  No, go to Step 4

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 11 of 23
4
Would customer be put in severe ﬁnancial hardship with loss of
payment? + Read more ...
s47E(d)
Many customers are in crisis and removing their only source of income at this time
is not ideal. If the reason for travel would clearly meet grounds for payment,
approval before sighting evidence can be considered in limited circumstances.
s47E(d)
Is customer travel ing for an approved reason and would be in ﬁnancial hardship
with the cessation of payment?
•  Yes, go to Step 5
•  No, go to Step 7
5
Assessing if payment to be made before evidence can be provided + Read more
...
Tel  the customer that if they do not give acceptable proof on return to Australia, the
agency wil  raise an overpayment for the full amount paid to them while overseas.
Does the customer want to be paid before giving evidence?
•  Yes, customer to give evidence on return to Australia, go to Step 6
•  No, go to Step 7
6
Payment to be approved before receipt of evidence + Read more ...
Reason for travel supports payment overseas before getting evidence. Risk of
raising overpayment because of unacceptable evidence is minimal.
•  Determine the length of time payment is to be approved overseas.
See speciﬁc negotiated period.
•  If available, run thes47E(d)
and include the fol owing details of the
decision in the s47E(d) ﬁeld:
o  Reason why customer is travel ing overseas
o  Relevant names and dates of reason for travel
o  Reason why payment has been approved before getting evidence
o  Reason why determined length of time was approved

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 12 of 23
o  Risk of overpayment discussed
o  Any other information given by customer
•  Portability Script wil  code the approved portability on the s47E(d)
screen
•  Note: if the decision is for a customer in receipt of Farm Household
Al owance (FHA), the CIS Service Officer must code the s47E(d) screen, They
must then cal  the FHA hotline (132 316) to tel  them a decision has been
made. The FHA Service Officer is responsible for ﬁnalising the assessment
and making sure correct payment is made
•  To make sure payment suspends after the approved portability period, s47E(d)

s47E(d)
•  Explain the decision to the customer, making sure the customer is aware
that payment wil  suspend on the last day of the speciﬁc negotiated period.
Tell them about continuation of payment on their return to Australia
Note: if DSP customer has any general portability period remaining they wil
not suspend at the end of the approved portability period
•  Determine if the customer must contact when they have returned to
Australia
•  If customer has income from employment income, see Recording and
correcting employment income details
7
Evidence is required before considering payment + Read more ...
Tel  the customer the agency wil  make a decision once acceptable proof of the
absence has been given. If evidence supports payment for an approved absence,
back-payment wil  be made.
Note: create a Fast Note if:
•  the customer has already given evidence, or
•  uploads evidence while on the phone (using online account document
upload), and
•  the Service Officer is either:
o  not trained in evidence-based assessments, or
o  the assessment is complex and cannot be made over the phone

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 13 of 23
s47E(d)

Close other associated work items/scanned
images. This wil  be al ocated to a suitably skil ed officer for processing.
The customer's payment wil  stop from the date of departure, unless the customer
is receiving Disability Support Pension (DSP) and stil  has a period of general
portability available:
•  Run the s47E(d)
and include the fol owing details of the decision in
the s47E(d) ﬁeld:
o  Reason why customer is travel ing overseas
o  Relevant names and dates of reason for travel
o  Any other information given by customer
•  Explain the decision to the customer and tel  them about continuation of
payment on their return to Australia
•  Determine if the customer must contact when they have returned to
Australia
•  Check the s47E(d)
screen for a review for the return of
evidence set by the s47E(d)
. If one exists, this must be cancel ed
•  If customer has income from employment income, see Recording and
correcting employment income details
8
Record details of the decision and ﬁnalise + Read more ...
If not already recorded, add a manual DOC and include:
•  Date of departure and return
•  Destination country
•  Reason why customer is travel ing overseas
•  Relevant names and dates of reason for travel
•  Any other information given by customer
•  Decision (Rejected/Pre-Approved/Pending evidence)
Code the s47E(d)
screen with travel details.
See Coding specialist portability assessments for Centrelink International Services
(CIS) staff.
Other things to consider:
•  If an approved absence has been approved before the customer gives
evidence, in Customer First, create a manual review on the s47E(d)
screen and complete the ﬁelds as fol ows:

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 14 of 23
s47E(d)
•  The review wil  mature on the Due Date coded in the s47E(d) activity. Workload
Management wil  al ocate the review for manual action
•  Record the change of address on s47E(d)
screen if the
customer gives new address details
Note: it is not mandatory for the customer to give an address outside
Australia when the period of travel is temporary
•  Record the overseas telephone number and email address if given by the
customer
•  If the customer has stopped paying rent, board, or lodgings, stop Rent
Assistance from the relevant date. For help with coding, see Completing the
Accommodation Details (AC) screen and assessing Rent Assistance
•  Ask the customer if they would like to nominate an agent to act on their
behalf while overseas and, if so, document the details
Assessment of evidence received
Table 4: This table describes the action for a CIS Officer when evidence has been given to
support travel for an approved reason.
Step
Action
1
Assessing the record and evidence provided + Read more ...
For a CIS Service Officer:
•  not trained in assessing RPG evidence, or

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 15 of 23
•  not trained in assessing RPG evidence who has been al ocated evidence as
a Work Item
•  trained in assessing RPG evidence, assigned to call taking, and has
received an RPG phone cal  from a customer who:
o  has given evidence (for example, they are cal ing to check on the
progress of their assessment) and further investigation is needed to
make a decision, or
o  is providing evidence immediately (for example, using online
services upload whilst on the phone) and further investigation is
needed to make a decision
Create a Fast Note. Select s47E(d)

. Close other associated
work items/scanned images. This wil  be al ocated to a suitably skil ed officer for
processing.
Procedure ends here.
To approve a payment for restricted portability, a CIS Service Officer:
•  trained in assessing RPG evidence, and
•  assigned to processing, must:
o  examine al  evidence given by the customer together with
information on the customer’s record. This is to determine whether
the payment may be portable for the requested approved reason
This includes the fol owing:
•  Check scanned images for evidence. Note: evidence may require
translation, see Translation of documents
•  Check s47E(d)
for previous discussions about reason for travel
•  Check customer's travel patterns
•  Check payment type/status at time of departure
•  Check for previous restricted portability
•  Consider contacting customer for more information if needed
For help with this decision, see:
•  Overseas absences for acute family crisis
•  Overseas absences for humanitarian reasons
•  Overseas absences for eligible medical reasons
•  Overseas absences for Australian Defence Force Reserves

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 16 of 23
Note: if assessing travel for overseas ful  time study, see Student studying outside
Australia. Procedure ends here.
Does the evidence and information on the customer’s record support a decision to
pay the customer for an approved reason overseas?
•  Yes, go to Step 2
•  No, go to Step 9
2
Acute family crisis + Read more ...
Is the absence for an acute family crisis?
•  Yes, go to Step 3
•  No, go to Step 8
3
Family member deﬁnition + Read more ...
A family member is deﬁned under section 23(14) of the Social Security Act as a
partner, parent, sister, brother or child of the relevant person.
Is the customer travel ing for an acute family crisis affecting a family member as
per S 23(14) SSA?
•  Yes, go to Step 8
•  No, go to Step 4
4
Alternative family member assessment + Read more ...
The deﬁnition of a family member may also cover someone who, in the opinion of
the delegate, has fulﬁlled a similar role as a family member. s47E(d)

The Service Support Manager or Business Manager of CIS hold the delegation for
family member portability decisions.
A family member recommendation may have been discussed in the initial
portability interview. Look for DOC titled s47E(d)
.
Is there a s47E(d)
DOC on the record?
•  Yes, go to Step 7
•  No, go to Step 5
5
Discussion for a family member assessment + Read more ...
Contact must be made with customer to determine whether the person who was
suffering the crisis can be deemed to be like a family member.

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 17 of 23
Discuss with the customer what circumstances they consider the person fulﬁl ed in
a role similar to a family member.
s47E(d)
Likely outcome of discussion:
•  no assessment required where a person is clearly not like a family member.
For example, customer lived with extended family, including:
o  a grandparent who gave occasional care, and
o  parents who gave day to day care and responsibility
•  person may be considered to be fulﬁlling a role like that of a family member
and customer wishes to undergo assessment
There is no point in proceeding with a family member determination if the customer
would clearly not qualify.
Wil  a submission for a family member assessment be made?
•  Yes, go to Step 6
•  No, go to Step 9
6
Submission for family member assessment + Read more ...
For the delegate to consider a submission it must give as much information as
possible. Discuss with the customer what circumstances they consider the person
fulﬁlled in a role similar to a family member.
Run the s47E(d)
Fast Note, this has the mandatory
interview questions. s47E(d)

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 18 of 23
Note: this Fast Note automatical y completes a DOC on the customer record
when s47E(d) is selected, to include information about the discussion before
ﬁnalising.
Once the interview is completed:
•  Complete a s47E(d)
webform. The CIS Service
Support Officer (SSO) wil  forward it to the delegate for their
consideration. Note: be clear in the submission whether the
recommendation is that the person is 'like a family member' or ‘not like a
family member'
•  Put the activity on hold (hold to self) while waiting for the delegate to
respond
When the delegate responds, go to Step 7
7
Recommendation of family member determination + Read more ...
Read the delegate’s decision.
Is the delegate’s decision that the person is an approved family member for the
purposes of an acute family crisis?
•  Yes, go to Step 8
•  No, go to Step 9
8
Grant application for payment under approved absence portability + Read more
...
Assessment of record and/or evidence given does support payment overseas for an
approved absence. Determine the length of time payment is to be approved.
See speciﬁc negotiated period.
If decision is not ful y favourable (that is, not granting for maximum period/entire
absence overseas) contact the customer. Give them the opportunity to supply more
information or evidence before ﬁnalising assessment. See Advising verbal y of an
unfavourable decision (CLK).
Once decision is ﬁnalised:
•  s47E(d)

Include detailed
information to support decision, including:
o  Description of evidence given
o  How evidence supports that travel was for an approved reason
o  Reason why determined length of time was approved
o  Any other factors relevant to the decision

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 19 of 23
•  s47E(d)

•  Note: if the decision is for a customer in receipt of Farm Household
Al owance (FHA), the CIS Service Officer must code the s47E(d) screen. They
must then cal  the FHA hotline (132 316) to tel  them a decision has been
made. The FHA Service Officer is responsible for ﬁnalising the assessment
and making sure correct payment is made.
•  For information on implementing decision, see Coding specialist portability
assessments for Centrelink International Services (CIS) staff
Procedure ends here.
9
Reject application for payment under approved absence portability + Read
more ...
Assessment of record and/or evidence given does not support payment overseas
for an approved absence.
Contact the customer to advise them of the outcome. See Advising verbal y of an
unfavourable decision (CLK). If appropriate, give them the opportunity to supply
more information or evidence before ﬁnalising assessment.
Once decision is ﬁnalised:
•  s47E(d)

Include detailed
information to support the decision including:
o  Description of evidence given
o  Why evidence/record does not support that travel was for an
approved reason
o  Any other factors relevant to the decision
•  s47E(d)

•  s47E(d)

Actioning return of evidence review
Table 5: This table describes CIS Service Officer actions when actioning a review after return of
evidence where payment was made before getting evidence.
Step
Action
1
Return of evidence review for approved reason + Read more ...

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 20 of 23
The s47E(d)
creates this review when travel has
been selected as an approved reason. The review wil  become due 2 weeks after
the planned return date to al ow time for the customer to give evidence on their
return to Australia.
Action required:
•  If customer was not pre-approved for restricted portability, cancel the
review
•  If customer was pre-approved for restricted portability, go to Step 2
2
Check Document Tools for the return of supporting evidence + Read more ...
Has documentation/evidence been given?
•  Yes, evidence may require translation, see Translation of documents, go to
Step 3
•  No, go to Step 4
3
Check if evidence veriﬁes reason for travel + Read more ...
For help with this decision, see Overseas absences for acute family crisis.
Does evidence verify the pre-approval decision?
•  Yes, create a DOC with detailed information including:
o  Description of evidence given
o  How evidence supports that travel was for an approved reason
o  Any other factors relevant to the decision
o  Finalise review
o  Procedure ends here
•  No, go to Step 4
4
Evidence not provided or does not verify pre-approved payment + Read more ...
Customer has not given evidence or the evidence does not verify the pre-approved
portability payment for an approved reason.
Contact the customer to give them the opportunity to supply more information or
evidence before ﬁnalising assessment. See Advising verbal y of an unfavourable
decision (CLK).
If customer cannot give more supporting evidence, create an overpayment for the
period already paid overseas because of an approved reason.
Note: consider placing review on hold for an additional period of time before
creating an overpayment, if:

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 21 of 23
•  customer has not yet returned to Australia, and
•  there are no contact details recorded whilst they are overseas
On the s47E(d)
screen:
s47E(d)
Make sure the debt covers the correct period and send for investigation.
s47E(d)

Create a Fast Note explaining the reason for the debt - s47E(d)

The Fast Note will auto-close as the debt shel  wil  be al ocated for processing.
Finalise the review and close any scanned images.

References

Policy
Social Security Guide, 7.1.2.10, General rules of portability
Social Security Guide, 7.1.2.20, Application of portability rules (portability table)
Legislation
Links to the Federal Register of Legislation site go to an 'Al  versions' page. Select the 'Latest'
version.
Social Security Act 1991
•  section 1212C, Meaning of temporary absence
•  section 1212A, Meaning of acute family crisis
•  section 1218D, Extension of a person's portability period-life-saving medical treatment
overseas
•  section 1212B, Meaning of humanitarian purpose
•  section 1212, Meaning of terms used in this Part
•  section 1218, Exception-ful  time students outside Australia for purposes of Australian
course
•  section 1218A, Reserve service
•  section 603(1), Relief from activity test - general

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 22 of 23
Resources

Contact details
Centrelink International Services (CIS) - contact details for staff
Services Australia website
Payments while outside Australia
Travel ing overseas with PBS Medicine
Portability - payment type and approved reason
Payment types which can be granted portability for an approved reason
Payment
Approved reasons
ABSTUDY
AFC, MED, MIL, OFS
Austudy
AFC, MED, MIL, OFS
Carer Payment
OFS
Disability Support Pension
AFC, MED, HUM, OFS
Farm Household Al owance
AFC, MED, HUM, MIL
JobSeeker Payment
AFC, MED, HUM, MIL
Parenting Payment
MIL, OFS
Special Beneﬁt
AFC, MED, HUM
Youth Al owance (JSK)
AFC, MED, HUM, MIL
Youth Allowance (STU)
AFC, MED, MIL, OFS

Only for holder of speciﬁc visa
numbers 309,785,790,820
Family Tax Beneﬁt
AFC, MED, HUM
Child Care Subsidy
AFC, MED, HUM
Parental Leave Pay
AFC, MED, HUM

FOI/LEX 84719 - Page 23 of 23
Double Orphan Pension
AFC, MED, HUM

Training & Support

Add the course number to the s47E(d) ﬁeld in the s47E(d)
in ESSentials:
•  s47E(d)
- Travelling Outside Australia
•  s47E(d)
- Portability for Job Seekers
•  s47E(d)
- Portability of DSP