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.I.10 Impairment Tables (DSP)

Definition

For the purposes of DSP, the Impairment Tables are tables designed to assess impairment in relation to work. They consist of a set of tables that assign ratings in proportion to the severity of impact of the impairment on function as it relates to work performance.

The Impairment Tables were reviewed and updated in 2023 to bring them into line with contemporary medical and rehabilitation practice. The current Impairment Tables are contained in the Social Security (Tables for the Assessment of Work-related Impairment for Disability Support Pension) Determination 2023. These Tables have been in force from 1 April 2023 and are used for the assessment of new DSP claims made on or after that date and reviews commenced on or after that date.

The Tables:

  • are function based rather than diagnosis based
  • describe functional activities, abilities, symptoms and limitations, and
  • are designed to assign ratings to determine the level of functional impact of impairment and not to assess conditions.

Act reference: Social Security (Tables for the Assessment of Work-related Impairment for Disability Support Pension) Determination 2023

Social Security (Tables for the Assessment of Work-related Impairment for Disability Support Pension) Determination 2011 - Impairment Tables pre-1 April 2023

SSAct pre-1 January 2012 Schedule 1B Tables for the assessment of work-related impairment for DSP

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.3 Guidelines to the Tables for the assessment of work-related impairment for DSP

Last reviewed: