Exchange of Diplomatic Notes for the Entry into Force of the Japan-Australia Social Security Agreement

December 3, 2008
Japanese

Diplomatic notes for the entry into force of the Agreement between Japan and Australia on Social Security (the Japan-Australia Social Security Agreement, signed on February 27 (Tue), 2007) were exchanged on December 3 (Wed) in Canberra. With this exchange, the Agreement will enter into force on January 1, 2009.
Japanese or Australian employees who are temporarily sent to the other country by their companies (e.g. expatriate staff) are obliged to join the pension systems of both Japan and Australia, which caused problems including dual payment of pension contribution in both countries.
Under the Japan-Australia Social Security Agreement, which is aimed at solving such problems, those temporarily sent for a period of five years or less will be, in principle, subject only to the pension system of the original country. They also will be able to establish their entitlement to receive pension benefits, by totalizing the periods of coverage under both countries’ systems.
It is expected that the entry into force of this Agreement will reduce the burden imposed on companies and employees and further promote human and economic exchanges between Japan and Australia.
Australia is the eighth country which has had a social security agreement with Japan enter into force, following Germany, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, the United States, Belgium, France and Canada.

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