The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

What's new

1 July 2026 (v1.340)

PageTitleDetails
1.1.S.185Small debt waiver thresholdUpdated threshold.
1.2.7.130Utilities allowance (UA) - descriptionUpdated Act reference.
3.1.2.20Liquid assets test waiting periodClarified policy.
3.6.1.22Qualification for DSP during employment - 15 hour ruleUpdated policy.
3.6.1.110Participation requirements for DSP recipientsClarified policy.
3.6.1.120Participation requirement exemptions for DSP recipientsClarified policy.
3.6.2.10Medical & other evidence for DSPUpdated Act reference.
3.6.2.20Manifest grants & rejections for DSPClarified policy.
3.6.2.40Assessment of blindness for DSPClarified policy and added Policy reference.
3.6.3.10Guidelines to Table 1 - Functions requiring Physical Exertion and StaminaClarified policy and updated examples.
3.9.3.34Employer provided benefits - housing assistanceClarified policy.
3.11.12.10Exemption from RapidConnect provisionsClarified policy.
4.2.2Benefits income test & limitsUpdated benefits income test table.
4.3.2.35Income exempt from assessment - section 8(11) exempt lump sumsClarified policy.
4.4.1.10Overview of deemingUpdated to reflect deeming rates and thresholds.
4.6.7.60Determining severe financial hardshipUpdated policy.
4.10.3Historical age & invalid (disability support) pension income & assets limitsUpdated to reflect indexation.
4.10.4.10Historical widow class A, sole parent benefit & PPS means test limitsUpdated to reflect indexation.
4.14.3.35Special disability trusts - discretionary spendingUpdated to reflect indexation and updated Act reference.
4.14.3.40Means testing of special disability trustsUpdated concessional asset value limit.
5.1.5.40MOB - current ratesUpdated rates.
5.1.5.50CA - current rateUpdated rate.
5.1.7.110UA - current ratesUpdated rates.
5.1.10.40EMEP - current ratesUpdated rates.
5.2.5.10MOB - April 1983 to present dateUpdated rates.
5.2.5.20CA, child disability allowance & HCA - December 1974 to present date, DNCB 1987 to 1999Updated rate.
5.2.6.100UA historical rates - March 2005 to present dateUpdated historical rates.
5.2.9.20EMEP - historical ratesUpdated rate.
5.5.4.50PPS, under age pension age, 2 childrenUpdated to reflect indexation.
5.5.4.60PPS, over age pension age, 1 childUpdated to reflect indexation.
6.3.8.40Student start-up loan (SSL) overpaymentsUpdated Act reference.
11.1.14.10Overview of exemptions from income managementClarified policy.