Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2024C00057:schedule:21:p9
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2024C00057
Segment Type: schedule
Provision Reference: sch 21 (pt 9/13)
Character Range: 745983–748938

19
Exchange of Information and Mutual Assistance

   1. The Competent Authorities and agencies of the Contracting Parties shall, within the scope of their respective authorities:

       (a) communicate to each other, to the extent permitted by their national laws and regulations, any information necessary for the application of this Agreement;

       (b) assist each other with regard to the determination of entitlement to, or payment of, any benefit under this Agreement, or the legislation to which this Agreement applies;

       (c) communicate to each other, as soon as possible, information concerning the measures taken by them for the application of this Agreement and of any changes in their respective legislation which may affect the application of this Agreement;

       (d) at the request of one to the other, assist each other in relation to the implementation of agreements on social security entered into by either of the Parties with third States, to the extent and in the circumstances specified in the Administrative Arrangement made in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 18.

   2. The assistance referred to in paragraph 1(b) of this Article shall be provided free of charge, subject to any exceptions to be agreed upon in the Administrative Arrangement concluded pursuant to paragraph 1 of Article 18.

Article 20
Confidentiality of Information

Unless otherwise required by the national laws and regulations of a Contracting Party, information about an individual which is transmitted in accordance with this Agreement to the Competent Authority or agency of that Contracting Party by the Competent Authority or agency of the other Contracting Party shall be used exclusively for purposes of implementing this Agreement and the legislation to which this Agreement applies. Such information received by a Competent Authority or agency of a Contracting Party shall be governed by the national laws and regulations of that Contracting Party for the protection of privacy and confidentiality of personal data.

Article 21
Exemption from Fees and Certification of Documents

   1. Where the legislation of a Contracting Party provides that any document which is submitted to the Competent Authority or agency of that Contracting Party shall be exempted, wholly or partly, from fees or charges, including consular and administrative fees, the exemption shall also apply to corresponding documents which are submitted to the Competent Authority or agency of the other Contracting Party in the application of this Agreement.

   2. Documents and certificates which are presented by the Competent Authority or the agency of either Contracting Party for purposes of this Agreement shall be exempted from requirements for authentication by diplomatic or consular authorities.

   3. Copies of documents which are certified as true and exact copies by an agency of one Contracting Party shall be accepted as true and exact copies by