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Reciprocal Australia : Contents

Special Banking Option applications

When a client chooses the Special Banking Option for their Services Australia - International Services pension they will be sent an application pack from International Services containing:

  • an application for the Special Banking Option
  • an application for a Special Bank Account and
  • an Authority to Release Information form (this form allows us to share information regarding pension entitlements with Services Australia - International Services)

All three forms must be fully completed and forwarded to International Services for processing.

Note

  • when a client has a partner they must both choose the same payment option
  • the client can change from the direct payment method to the Special Banking Option at any time
  • if the client has changed from the Special Banking Option to the Direct Payment Method generally they cannot re-join the Special Banking Option
  • the client does not have access to the Special Banking Option account that the Australian pension is paid into as it is simply a holding account for funds that are to be paid to MSD
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The contact details for International Services are:

From New Zealand 0800 777 227 (free calling within New Zealand only)

From Australia 1800 150 479

From other countries +64 4 978 1180

Email international_services@msd.govt.nz

Postal

International Services
Ministry of Social Development
PO Box 27178
Wellington 6141
New Zealand

Fax 04 918 0159

Note when calling from overseas replace the '+' with the international direct dial prefix for the country you are in.