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.

1.1.R.90 Recognised disability (CA (child))

Definition

For the purposes of CA (child), a young person under the age of 16 with a recognised disability is automatically considered to be a child with a disability (1.1.C.144) and does not have to be tested against the DCLA tool (1.1.D.170).

Recognised disabilities for qualification for CA (child)

The following disabilities do not have to be tested against the DCLA:

  • Moderate to severe multiple disability or moderate to severe physical disability (including neurological disability) where the child is, or is likely to be, dependent for mobility indoors and outdoors from 3 years of age onwards
  • Severe multiple or physical disability (including uncontrolled seizures), requiring constant care and attention where the child is less than 6 months of age
  • Moderate, severe or profound intellectual disability where IQ is less than 55. This includes a child with a known syndrome
  • Autism spectrum disorder when diagnosed by a psychiatrist, developmental paediatrician, or a registered psychologist experienced in the assessment of Pervasive Developmental Disorders and using the fifth edition of the Diagnositic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
  • Autistic Disorder or Asperger's Disorder (not including Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified) when diagnosed by a psychiatrist, developmental paediatrician, or a registered psychologist experienced in the assessment of Pervasive Development Disorders and using the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV)
  • Childhood Disintegrative Disorder diagnosed by a psychiatrist using DSM-IV
  • Major depression of childhood diagnosed by a psychiatrist using DSM-IV or DSM-5
  • Childhood schizophrenia diagnosed by a psychiatrist using DSM-IV or DSM-5
  • Bilateral blindness where
    • visual acuity is less than or equal to 6/60 with corrected vision, or
    • visual fields are reduced to a measured arc of less than 10 degrees
  • A 45 decibels or more hearing loss in the better ear, based on a 4 frequency pure tone average (using 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000Hz)
  • Deaf-blindness diagnosed by a specialist multidisciplinary team, including a professional audiological and ophthalmological evaluation
  • Epilepsy (uncontrolled while on medication)
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Down syndrome
  • Fragile X syndrome
  • Diabetes Mellitus Type 1
  • Phenylketonuria (PKU)
  • Other inborn errors of metabolism (not specified elsewhere) that are treated by medically prescribed diet to prevent neurological disability and/or severe organ damage
    • Example: Organic acidaemias, urea cycle defects, galactosaemia and some fatty acid or oxidation defects
  • Moderate to severe Osteogenisis Imperfecta with 2 or more fractures per year and/or significant pain that significantly limits activities of daily living
  • Chromosomal or syndromic conditions (not specified elsewhere) where there is moderate or severe intellectual disability and/or multiple, major and permanent physical abnormalities as diagnosed by a paediatrician, paediatric sub-specialist or clinical geneticist
    • Example: Children with a moderate or severe intellectual disability and/or multiple, major and permanent physical abnormalities who have been diagnosed with Cri du chat syndrome, Rett syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18), Williams syndrome, Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13), Coffin-Lowry syndrome, Congenital rubella syndrome, Cornelia de Lange syndrome, Kabuki Make-up syndrome, Larsen syndrome, Opitz G syndrome, Pallister-Killian syndrome, Seckel syndrome, Smith-Magenis syndrome, CHARGE association
    • Note: This category may apply to children diagnosed with other non-listed chromosomal or syndromic conditions who have a moderate or severe level of intellectual disability and/or multiple, major and permanent physical abnormalities.
  • Neurometabolic degenerative conditions where there is moderate or severe intellectual and/or moderate or severe physical disability as diagnosed by a paediatrician, paediatric sub-specialist or clinical geneticist
    • Lysosomal storage disorders
    • Example: Children with a moderate or severe intellectual and/or physical disability who have been diagnosed with metachromatic Leukodystrophy, Tay Sachs disease, Krabbe disease, Pompe's disease, Mucopolysaccharidoses (Hurler syndrome (MPS) 1), Hunter syndrome (MPS 2), San Filipo syndrome (MPS 3), Morquio syndrome (MPS IVA), Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome (MPS VI)
  • Neurometabolic conditions
    • Example: Children with a moderate or severe intellectual and/or physical disability who have been diagnosed with Lesch Nyhan syndrome, Menkes disease, Zellweger syndrome and related peroxisomal disorders, some mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders
    • Note: This category may apply to children diagnosed with other non-listed neurometabolic degenerative conditions who have a moderate or severe level of intellectual and/or physical disability.
  • Neurodegenerative disorders where there is moderate or severe intellectual and/or moderate or severe physical disability as diagnosed by a paediatrician, paediatric sub-specialist or clinical geneticist
    • Example: Children with a moderate or severe intellectual and/or physical disability who have been diagnosed with Ataxia Telangiectasia, unclassified Leukodystrophies
    • Note: This category may apply to children diagnosed with other non-listed neurodegenerative conditions who have a moderate or severe level of intellectual and/or physical disability.
  • The following dermatological conditions
    • Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica
    • Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (synonym: anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia)
    • Hay Wells syndrome (synonym: ankylobepharon, ectodermal dysplasia and clefting (AEC) syndrome)
    • Lamellar ichthyosis
    • Harlequin ichthyosis
    • Sjorgren Larsson syndrome
    • Netherton syndrome
    • Severe congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma
    • Generalised bullous ichthyosis (synonym: bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma; epidermolytic hyperkeratosis)
  • Any of the following neuromuscular conditions
    • Duchenne (or Becker) muscular dystrophy
    • Autosomal recessive muscular dystrophy
    • Spinal muscular atrophy conditions, for example Werdnig-Hoffman, and
    • Friedrich's Ataxia.

Note: A child with a recognised disability who qualifies a carer for CA before the age of 16 can continue to qualify a carer for CA under child provisions until the later of the following:

  • they turn 16 years and 3 months of age, OR
  • where all CA (child) to CA (adult) transfer documentation is submitted on or before the day the child turns 16 years, until the ADAT assessment is completed.

Act reference: SSAct section 952-'disabled child', section 953A Remaining qualified for CA after child turns 16

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.7.43 CA (child) to CA (adult) transfer process

Last reviewed: