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.

11.3.2.10 Written notice to apply income management under the Child Protection Measure

Written notice to apply income management

State and territory child protection workers have responsibility for identifying people for whom income management could be beneficial. They can send a notice to Centrelink requiring those people to be subject to income management under the Child Protection Measure.

A child protection worker is an officer or employee of the relevant state or territory child protection authority, who has functions, powers or duties in relation to the care, protection or welfare of children.

The child protection worker must give the notice in writing to require that the person be subject to income management under SS(Admin)Act section 123UC, under a law in force in that state or territory or in the exercise of the executive power of the state or territory. A notice sent via the Unified Government Gateway (UGG) system is considered a written notice.

The written notice will require the person to be income managed for a set period of 3, 6, 9 or 12 months from the date that income management is first applied. This means that the notice stays in effect until the stated end date unless specifically revoked or withdrawn.

Example: Isobel is income managed under the Child Protection Measure and receives PPS. She cancels her payments on 5 January, but reapplies for PPS on 5 February, and recommences payments before the stated end date of the original income management notice given by the child protection authority. Therefore Isobel is still subject to income management under the Child Protection Measure.

The child protection worker may provide the delegate with guidance on the priority needs of the children that are to be addressed through income management.

The delegate will initiate income management once a valid notice has been received from the relevant child protection authority if the conditions in SS(Admin)Act section 123UC are satisfied in relation to the person. Income management will continue to apply to a person until:

  • the delegate receives a notice from the child protection worker that revokes the original notice, or
  • the notice ends, or
  • until the conditions in section 123UC otherwise cease to be satisfied.

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act section 123UC Persons subject to the income management regime-child protection

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