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.Q.37 Qualifying residence period (QRP)

Usage

This definition applies to payments that have qualifying residence requirements. These payments are Age, DSP and PP.

Definition

A QRP refers to a period of time a person must have been an Australian resident in order to qualify for certain payments.

The length of the QRP depends on the payment:

  • Age and DSP require 10 years qualifying Australian residence, 5 years of which must be continuous (1.1.Q.15).
  • PP requires a person to have been in Australia for a total of 104 weeks during a single continuous period as an Australian resident (1.1.A.330).

Note: A person may still be considered to be an Australian resident during temporary absences overseas.

There are other ways a person can satisfy the qualifying residence requirements for a payment. These may be referred to as an ‘exemption’ from the QRP. See 3.4.1.10 (Age), 3.6.1.12 (DSP) and 3.5.1.70 (PP) for details.

PP also has a 208-week NARWP (3.1.2.40). Both the QRP and the NARWP must be completed (or an exemption applied) for PP to be payable to a person. There is no NARWP for Age or DSP.

Act reference: SSAct section 7(5) A person has 10 years qualifying Australian residence if …, section 43(1)(a) A person is qualified for an Age if …, section 94(1)(e) A person is qualified for DSP if …, section 500(1)(d) A person is qualified for PP if …

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.1.10 Residence requirements, 3.4.1.10 Qualification for Age, 3.6.1.12 Qualification for DSP - 15 hour rule, 3.5.1.70 Residence qualification for PP - overview

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