1.1.F.60 Family member

Usage

The SSAct provides for 4 definitions of 'family member'.

Carer allowance (adult)

For the purposes of CA (adult) see 1.1.F.70.

Matters other than YA, QRE or NARWP exemption

For all purposes of the SSAct other than for eligibility for or calculation of YA, or for the purposes of a QRE under SSAct section 7(6AA) or an exemption from the NARWP (3.1.2.43), a person is a family member of the relevant person if he or she is:

• the partner of the relevant person
• a parent of the relevant person
• a sibling of the relevant person
• a child of the relevant person, or
• any other person who, in the opinion of the Secretary, should be treated for the purposes of this definition as a partner, parent, sibling or child of the relevant person. This may cover situations such as stepchildren or foster children.

Note: The discretion in SSAct section 23(14)(c) should be used only in respect of a family relationship that is similar to that of a partner, mother, father, brother, sister or child of the relevant person and is also such that it should be treated as such a relationship.

Youth allowance

For the purposes of claims for YA, and the YA Calculator, a person is a family member of the relevant person if he or she is:

• a parent of the relevant person
• a dependent child under 16 years of age of a parent of the relevant person who is wholly or substantially dependent on the parent, or
• a child 16 years of age or over of the relevant person, who
  • has not attained the maximum age for YA
  • is not independent, and
  • is not receiving one of the pensions, benefits or allowances set out in Module L of the YA Rate Calculator. Module L includes all benefits payable under the SSAct, and some services pensions payable under the VEA.

Family members for the purpose of a QRE or exemption from the NARWP

SSAct paragraph 7(6AA)(b) provides that a person has a QRE for certain payments if the person was a 'family member of a refugee, or former refugee, at the time the refugee or former refugee arrived in Australia' (1.1.Q.35). The definition of family member in relation to SSAct subsection 7(6AA) is given in SSAct subsection 7(6D). SSAct subsection 7(6D) provides that, for the purposes of SSAct subsection 7(6AA), the term family member is restricted to the following categories of people:

• a partner
• a dependent child, or
• another person who, in the opinion of the Secretary, should be treated for the purposes of this definition as a family member.

A person may also be exempt from the NARWP if he or she is a 'family member of a refugee, or former refugee, at the time if:

• the person was a family member of another person at the time the other person became a refugee, and
• the person is a family member of that other person at the time the person made the claim for a payment or, if that other person has died, the person was a family member of that other person immediately before that other person died.

The definition of family member for the purposes of the NARWP exemption is restricted to the definition of family member in SSAct subsection 7(6D) as outlined above.

Note: The discretion in the SSAct subsection 7(6D)(c) should be used only in respect of a family relationship that is similar to that of a partner or dependent child of the relevant person and is also such that it should be treated as such a relationship.