Campbell, I wish you would NEVER give factual advice, on here, about any subject, so important to the person asking the question, unless you know what you are talking about.  Every Immigration counter in Australia is automatically linked to Centrelink & Interpol.  Centrelink are notified automatically every time a passport is processed either into or out of Australia including Territories, such as Norfolk Island.  Obviously your 4 trips were not of sufficient time to effect your part pension.  Any change of name in any State, does not work either.  They are also linked.  It is odd, that this only happens on leaving or arriving in Australia.  If a pensioner were to go to New Zealand, then go on to Russia etc then back to NZ & Australia, the record is limited to & from NZ & Australia.  This record is not even accessible to the State Police.  They have to apply for the info if required.

With "advice" like Campbell's it's no surprise so many pensioners are finding themselves on the wrong side of the law.

Campbell ... it is obvious to me that you never got out of AU for more than 6 weeks..... Maybe just to Bali and back...

Your advice is very dangerous and some people will believe what you say and then they will be in deep troubles..... so please read the Gov. website before you TALK mate you are WRONG WRONG.

innes is correct I travel in and out of AU every 6 months and sometimes every 3 month on long holidays .... Sorry mate I can do that no worries because I read the web and get inform of the rules and changes.

I do not have to tell Centrelink is I go or come back they already know..... Read innes post .....

Campbell, I have already answered that.  If you get one of your grandchildren you explain it, you can get Centrelink access to your file & you will see the time, date, & flight or ship, both out & return, that you have made, since you claimed any Centrelink benefit.  One other factor, is that you have stated that you have spent your working life in Australia, so, any part or full pension becomes automatically portable from the date you turn 65, subject to a very few basic rules.  BUT, the Immigration records are still on your file, regardless.

If you're receiving a full or part pension, it is the business of the taxpayers who pay for it to know what's going on.

Campbell you are correct is your business but if you receive any money from the government is no longer only your business is also Centrelink business and there are many rules about going OS.

6 Weeks max for your payments to be ok after that you get cut to the minimum read the web about overseas travel and payments while overseas is all there and very clear.

And you must have many years of permanent residence in AU, again you may lose all payments ... Just read the web.

My experience Radish is that the online stuff can sometimes be too general for one's specific circs; & that in relation to your specific circs very few in CL can give you accurate information - partly I guess because the rules have changed recently & it hasn't percolated thru to everyone.

Thus my need to keep ringing until I finally found someone who knew what he was talking about & could make a ruling in my favour.