3.6.1.40 Qualification for DSP during study or training - 30 hour rule

Topic applies to

This topic applies to people who are subject to the 30 hour rule for DSP qualification.

For people who are subject to the 15 hour rule, refer to 3.6.1.42.

Overview

DSP recipients who are studying or training may remain qualified for DSP if they have an impairment rating of at least 20 points under the Impairment Tables (1.1.I.10) and a CITW (1.1.C.330).

To have a CITW a DSP recipient undertaking study must:

• be prevented, because of their impairment/s, from doing any work (1.1.W.60) in open employment (1.1.O.10) within the next 2 years, and
• be unlikely, because of their impairment/s, to be able to work within the next 2 years as a result of undertaking educational, vocational or on-the-job training (1.1.E.30).

Factors to consider

The following factors will be considered in determining whether a DSP recipient undertaking study still has a CITW:

• How the person's course activities compare with activities generally required to work in open employment
• The person's study-load (including the number of contact hours to attend lectures, practicals and tutorials and the number of hours of private study)
• Whether the course is designed specifically for people with a physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairment
• Whether any modification to the course which has been made solely to accommodate the person's disability, and
• Whether the person could participate in alternative training activities if their current course of study is unlikely to enable them to work within the next 2 years

Studying 30 hours or more per week

A DSP recipient participating in mainstream, unmodified study for 30 hours or more per week is unlikely to have a CITW. This is because the activities required for mainstream study are generally equivalent to those required to work in open employment.

Studying less than 30 hours per week

A DSP recipient undertaking part-time study of less than 30 hours per week may continue to qualify for DSP if they are unable, solely because of their impairment/s, to undertake activities generally required for open employment of 30 hours or more per week within the next 2 years.

Participation requirements from 01/07/2012

From 1 July 2012 certain DSP recipients under age 35 will be subject to participation requirements as part of qualification for DSP.

Participation requirements from 01/07/2014

From 1 July 2014 all DSP recipients under age 35 who are subject to participation requirements are required to have at least one compulsory work focused activity included in their participation plan.

Young people up to age 22 are required to include a compulsory education or employment activity in their plan, and DSP recipients with a mental illness are required to include a treatment, rehabilitation, reconnection with work or social skills activity in their plan.

The compulsory activities will vary depending on the individual's circumstances. They may include:

• connection with an employment service provider
• Work for the Dole
• work experience
• an education or training activity for people under age 22, or
• a rehabilitation or treatment activity, or reconnection to work activity for people with mental illness.

For DSP recipients engaged in work, it is a requirement to attend ongoing interviews on an annual basis, until the person no longer meets the criteria for participation requirements.

Training designed specifically for people with physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairments

Training programs that have been designed specifically for people with physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairments are not educational or vocational training for the purposes of SSAct section 94(2)(b) before its amendment on 1 July 2006. DSP recipients who are undergoing this type of training may still be considered to have a CITW.

Modification of mainstream training courses

Mainstream training courses are courses that are not specifically designed for or restricted to people with disabilities.

Mainstream training courses that accommodate people with disabilities through the provision of aids such as tape recorders, monitors or other equipment or environmental modifications, or make concessions such as allowing unscheduled breaks or allowing the course to be completed at each participant's own pace are considered to be training for the purposes of SSAct section 94(2)(b) before its amendment on 1 July 2006.