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.A.79 Adult with a disability (CA, CP)

Definition for CA

To be an adult with a disability for the purpose of qualifying a carer for CA (adult) the care receiver must have a disability that results in the need for a significant level of personal care. For the purpose of CA an adult with a disability is a person aged 16 or more who meets ALL the following criteria:

  • has a physical, intellectual or psychiatric disability (1.1.P.280)
  • has been assessed under the ADAT (1.1.A.78) and has been given a THP (1.1.T.170) of 12 or higher and has an overall score of 30 or higher, AND
  • is likely to suffer from the disability permanently or for an extended period (1.1.P.230), OR
  • has been certified by a medical practitioner to be in the terminal phase of a terminal illness and is expected to live for less than 3 months. Their carer will generally qualify for CA (adult) without further investigation subject to meeting the other qualification criteria.

Act reference: SSAct section 23(1)-'medical practitioner', section 952-'disabled adult', section 954 Qualification for CA-caring for a disabled adult …

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.7 CA - qualification & payability

Definition for CP

To be an adult with a disability for the purpose of qualifying a carer for CP the care receiver must have a disability that requires constant care (1.1.C.310). This does not apply to ex WP CP carers (3.6.4.55).

For the purpose of CP an adult with a disability is a person aged 16 or more who meets the following criteria:

  • has a physical, intellectual or psychiatric disability, AND
  • for a lower ADAT score adult (1.1.L.130) - has been assessed under the ADAT and has been given a THP score of 8 or higher and an overall score of 20 or higher, OR
  • for a higher ADAT score adult (1.1.H.63) - has been assessed under the ADAT and has been given a THP score of 10 or higher and an overall score of 25 or higher, OR
  • for 2 carers to qualify for providing care to the same higher ADAT score adult - be given a THP score of 32 or higher and an overall score of 80 or higher, AND
  • is likely to suffer from the disability permanently or for an extended period, OR
  • has been certified by a medical practitioner to be in the terminal phase of a terminal illness and is expected to live for less than 3 months. Their carer will generally qualify for CP without further investigation subject to meeting the other qualification criteria.

Act reference: SSAct section 23(1)-'medical practitioner', section 197(1)-'disabled adult', section 198 Qualification-disabled adult …, section 198AD Qualification-WP and CA recipient

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.4 CP - qualification & payability

Last reviewed: