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.

What's new

2 January 2025 (v1.324)

PageTitleDetails
1.1.D.70Dependent childUpdated permissible child earnings limits.
1.1.M.136Merit or equity-based scholarshipUpdated threshold rate.
3.1.2.43Exemptions from the NARWPClarified policy regarding Criminal Justice Stay Visa.
3.2.3.60Notification & recipient obligations for YAClarified policy.
3.2.5.10Qualification for YA, DSP & SpB as an independent young personClarified policy.
3.2.5.20De facto relationships (YA, DSP & SpB)Updated title.
3.2.5.80YA, DSP & SpB - self-supporting through paid employmentClarified policy.
3.2.5.90Education or employment disadvantage (YA, DSP & SpB)Updated title.
3.6.3.140Guidelines to Table 14 - Functions of the SkinClarified policy.
3.7.1.10Qualification for SpBClarified policy regarding Criminal Justice Stay Visa.
3.7.1.20Payability of SpBClarified policy regarding Criminal Justice Stay Visa.
3.7.1.70Long term available funds test for SpBClarified policy regarding Criminal Justice Stay Visa.
3.7.2.10SpB for newly arrived residentsClarified policy regarding Criminal Justice Stay Visa.
3.7.2.40SpB for people not residentially qualified for other paymentsClarified policy regarding Criminal Justice Stay Visa.
3.7.2.70SpB for young people under 18 years of ageClarified policy.
3.8.1.55Date of effect & arrears of RAClarified policy.
3.8.2.10PhA - qualification & payabilityClarified policy.
3.10.4.40Secretary can extend notification period - 28 daysAdded Act reference and updated example.
3.11.5.10Temporary incapacityUpdated policy.
4.2.8.05Dependent YA - reduction for parental incomeUpdated example.
4.2.8.10Dependent YA - parental income testUpdated examples.
4.2.8.50Full-time students - personal income test, limits & student income bankUpdated examples, income free area and maximum student income bank.
4.3.2.30Income exempt from assessment - legislatedClarified policy.
4.3.9.40Income from scholarshipsUpdated threshold amounts.
4.3.9.90Treatment of PLPClarified policy.
4.6.8.60Long term (20-year) continuous attachment to landUpdated policy and added Act reference.
4.9.5.49Table of life expectancy - payments commenced on or after 01/01/2020 to 31/12/2024Updated to reflect a new Life Table commences 1 January 2025.
4.9.5.50Table of life expectancy - payments commenced on or after 01/01/2025New page to reflect new Life Table that commences 1 January 2025.
4.9.5.60Pension valuation factors for defined benefit income streamsContent previously found in 4.9.5.50 now in 4.9.5.60.
4.9.5.70Pension valuation factors & percentage factors for allocated & account based income streamsContent previously found in 4.9.5.60 now in 4.9.5.70.
4.9.5.80Payment factors for market-linked income streamsContent previously found in 4.9.5.70 now in 4.9.5.80.
4.10.1.50Historical employment amount (permissible child earnings) - January 1990 to present dateUpdated rate.
4.13.2.50Aggregation of multiple lump sumsClarified policy.
5.1.1.20YA - current ratesUpdated rates.
5.1.2.30Austudy - current ratesUpdated rates.
5.1.4.40DOP - current rateUpdated rate.
5.1.5.40MOB - current ratesUpdated rates.
5.1.5.50CA - current rateUpdated rate.
5.1.7.40Relocation scholarship - current ratesUpdated rates and examples.
5.1.7.46SSL - current rateUpdated rate.
5.2.1.20Single unemployment & sickness benefit - November 1984 to present dateUpdated rates.
5.2.1.50Youth related payments - July 1986 to present dateUpdated rates.
5.2.4.60DOP rates - October 1973 to present dateUpdated rate.
5.2.5.10MOB - April 1983 to present dateUpdated rates.
5.2.5.20CA, child disability allowance & HCA - December 1974 to present date, DNCB 1987 to 1999Updated rate.
5.2.6.50PhA rates - 01/11/90 to present dateAdded rate at 1 January 2025.
5.5.2.40Single person aged under 22 Years, no dependents, income $250 & under per fortnightUpdated to reflect indexation.
6Review of decisions, circumstances & debtsClarified policy.
6.1.7Steps in the social security review & appeals system (deleted - see 6.10)Removed information.
6.7.3.05BankruptcyClarified policy.
6.10Review of social security decisions & the appeals systemNew page.
8.4.3Protection of paymentAdded Act reference.
9.2.14Visa subclass ZB 951 Criminal Justice Stay VisaClarified visa sub class.