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.D.180 Disability medical assessment (DSP)

Definition

A DMA is an assessment which is conducted by a GCD (1.1.G.40) following a JCA (1.1.J.10), for the purpose of determining medical qualification for DSP.

As part of the DMA a GCD will review the medical evidence provided by a person in support of their DSP claim to verify:

  • that the medical condition/s is diagnosed, reasonably treated and stabilised for the purpose of DSP qualification and, more likely than not, in light of available evidence, to persist for more than 2 years, (1.1.D.140), and
  • the level of functional impairment resulting from any condition (1.1.I.10).

DMA is conducted by a GCD

Where possible, a DMA will be a face-to-face assessment. As part of the DMA, the GCD will have access to relevant available information about the person including all the medical evidence previously provided in support of the DSP claim.

The GCD will also review the report produced by the job capacity assessor (1.1.J.20), prior to the DSP claim being finalised. The GCD may seek clarification or further medical evidence from a person's treating medical practitioner (1.1.T.160). This may include payment of a fee to the practitioner, where applicable. Information on what fees maybe applicable is available from Services Australia.

Target groups

DMA by a GCD has been progressively implemented from 1 January 2015, with full implementation from 1 July 2015.

From 1 January 2015 this process was initially limited to people applying for DSP who:

  • were aged 35 years or under
  • lived in a capital city, and
  • submitted a claim for DSP on or after 1 January 2015.

From 1 July 2015 the DMA process applies to all new DSP claims, unless the claim is covered by the exclusions listed below.

Under DSS policy, a person may be referred for a DMA if they have:

  • submitted an application for DSP
  • submitted sufficient medical evidence (1.1.M.100), and
  • attended a JCA and their JCA report indicates potential medical eligibility for DSP.

Exclusions

In limited circumstances DSP may be granted without the need for further assessment (3.6.2.20). This is known as manifest qualification.

A DMA will not be required where the available medical evidence indicates a person is manifestly qualified for DSP, regardless of whether a JCA or any other assessment has been completed.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.1 DSP - qualification & payability

Last reviewed: