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.

3.1.7.30 Calculating the SWPP

Summary

The calculation of the SWPP varies depending on the claimant's circumstances. This topic explains the calculation.

SWPP - whole weeks

The SWPP is always rounded down to the next whole number of weeks. If the result is zero or negative, the SWPP is not applied.

Single person

The following table shows the steps in calculating the SWPP for a single claimant.

Step Action
1 Calculate the AWOTE weeks (1.1.A.375).
2 Calculate the seasonal/intermittent work weeks (1.1.W.15).
3 Calculate the intervening weeks.
4 Add the weeks from steps 2 and 3 to get the self-supported weeks.
5 Subtract the self-supported weeks from step 4 from the AWOTE weeks at step 1.

Members of a couple - partner NOT a seasonal worker

The following table shows the steps in calculating the SWPP for a person who is a member of a couple.

Step Action
1 Calculate the partner's earnings from work during the claimant's relevant periods of seasonal work.

Note: Gross earnings are used.
2 Add the partner's earnings to the claimant's seasonal/intermittent work earnings to give the couple's combined earnings.
3 Calculate the AWOTE weeks for the couple.
4 Calculate the claimant's seasonal/intermittent work weeks.
5 Calculate the claimant's intervening weeks.
6 Add the weeks from steps 4 and 5 to get the self-supported weeks.
7 Subtract the self-supported weeks from step 6 from the AWOTE weeks at step 3.

Members of a couple - only the partner is a seasonal worker

Step Action
1 Calculate the partner's earnings from seasonal work.
2 Add the claimant's earnings to the partner's seasonal/intermittent work earnings to give the couple's combined earnings.
3 Calculate the AWOTE weeks for the couple.
4 Calculate the partner's seasonal/intermittent work weeks.
5 Calculate the partner's intervening weeks.
6 Add the weeks from steps 4 and 5 to get the self-supported weeks.
7 Subtract the self-supported weeks from step 6 from the AWOTE weeks at step 3.

Members of a couple - BOTH seasonal workers

If both members of the couple are seasonal/intermittent workers, and will be subject to the SWPP, the SWPP must be calculated for BOTH the claimant and their partner independently. The higher of the 2 results, if positive, is applied to both individuals.

The following table explains this calculation using labels A and B to indicate the members of the couple.

For the … the AWOTE weeks equal …
calculation for claimant A
  • claimant A's seasonal/intermittent work earnings
  • PLUS the earnings of their partner during the period of A's seasonal/intermittent work
  • DIVIDED BY twice the relevant AWOTE.
calculation for claimant B
  • claimant B's seasonal/intermittent work earnings
  • PLUS the earnings of their partner during the period of B's seasonal/intermittent work
  • DIVIDED BY twice the relevant AWOTE.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.7.10 Who is affected by the SWPP

Last reviewed: