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.S.455 SWPP

Seasonal work preclusion period

The SWPP is the period during which a seasonal/intermittent worker is not eligible to receive a social security payment. The waiting period does not apply to all payments (3.1.7.10).

The SWPP was introduced on 1 January 1999 and was extended to include intermittent workers from 20 September 2006.

Claimants affected

An SWPP only affects claimants lodging a NEW claim for an SWPP affected payment if they are:

single and earned above AWOTE from seasonal or intermittent work, OR
a member of a couple (1.1.M.120) who COMBINED, earned more than TWICE the AWOTE, AND
the income was earned during a period of seasonal or intermittent work that ENDED in the 6 months before lodging a claim.

If the claimant received income support during the 6 months before claiming, only seasonal work since they last claimed counts towards the SWPP.

Last reviewed: 3 July 2023

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