Australia, Brazil Begin Social Security Talks

The Albanese Labor Government is entering negotiations with the Brazilian Government on a bilateral social security agreement.

An agreement would enhance access to certain Australian and Brazilian social security benefits for eligible people who have lived and/or worked in both countries.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said that reaching an agreement would have the potential to benefit businesses as well as citizens of both countries, offering greater freedom and choice for eligible people on how and where they spend their retirement.

"Generally, agreements allow people to maximise their income by helping them claim payments from both Australia and other countries, where they have spent part of their life making a living for themselves," Minister Rishworth said.

"Securing an agreement with Brazil will also benefit businesses and support investment between the two countries, by reducing costs and red tape for businesses operating in both countries."

An agreement between Australia and Brazil would build on Australia's existing portfolio of 32 international social security agreements.

In addition to improving bilateral relations, international social security agreements:

• assist eligible people who have moved between Australia and an agreement country to access pensions from both countries they may not otherwise be able to access;
• provide increased flexibility and choice to eligible individuals upon retirement; and
• reduce business costs, promote bilateral trade and investment opportunities.

Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts acknowledged the importance of strengthening bilateral relations in people-to-people ties and said the deepening of relations will help to encourage trade and investments between both countries.

"This agreement will further strengthen Australia and Brazil's Strategic Partnership, which is underpinned by growing two way trade and investment and a vibrant Brazilian diaspora in Australia," Assistant Minister Watts said.

"In conjunction with negotiations for a bilateral double taxation agreement, this will ensure Australia and Brazil have the economic architecture to further support our economic and people to people links into the future."

Assistant Minister for Social Security Kate Thwaites said that this is an exciting step forward, particularly for Brazilian-Australians living in communities right across the country.

"A social security agreement between Australia and Brazil will help to strengthen the connections between both our countries and provide more opportunities for people accessing pensions," Assistant Minister Thwaites said.

Brazilian Ambassador to Australia Mr Fred Arruda reaffirmed the importance of commencing negotiations on the agreement.

"The Social Security Agreement between Brazil and Australia will protect their most valuable asset: their citizens," Mr Arruda said.