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

1 July 2024 (v1.318)

Page Title Details
1.1.A.306 Asset-test exempt income stream Updated definition.
1.1.M.138 Military invalidity pension income stream New page.
1.1.S.250 Special reduction amount New page.
1.2.7.60 Education entry payment (EdEP) - description Clarified policy.
1.2.8.10 Health care card (HCC) - description Clarified policy.
1.2.8.20 Pensioner concession card PCC - description Updated policy and Act reference.
2.2.5.40 Discretion to treat a person as not being a member of a couple for a special reason - section 24 Clarified policy.
3.1.2.40 Newly arrived resident’s waiting period (NARWP) Clarified policy.
3.1.2.43 Exemptions from the NARWP Clarified policy.
3.1.12 Employment income nil rate period Clarified policy.
3.2.2.30 Employment commencing in the future Updated Act reference.
3.2.3.20 Payability of YA Clarified policy.
3.3.3.20 Payability of Austudy Clarified policy.
3.3.4.70 Austudy & progress rules for tertiary study Clarified policy.
3.4.5.10 Qualification for HEAS Clarified policy.
3.4.5.40 How the HEAS is paid Updated examples.
3.7.1.10 Qualification for SpB Clarified policy regarding subclass 309 & 820 visa holders.
3.7.1.70 Long term available funds test for SpB Updated example.
3.7.1.80 Determining the rate of SpB Clarified policy.
3.7.2.20 Substantial change in circumstances for SpB Clarified policy.
3.7.2.110 SpB in other common situations Clarified policy.
3.8.3.60 PES & progress rules for tertiary study Clarified policy.
3.8.17 ISB - qualification & payability (deleted) Removed information.
3.9.1.10 Qualification for HCC - automatic issue Clarified policy.
3.9.2.30 PCC extension rules Clarified policy.
3.9.3.34 Employer provided benefits - housing assistance Added Act reference.
3.10.5.10 General date of effect rules Clarified policy.
3.11 Mutual obligation requirements Updated policy.
3.11.3.10 Study & training Clarified policy.
3.11.3.30 Voluntary work Updated policy.
3.11.6 Fully meeting requirements Updated policy.
3.11.7 Mutual obligation requirements for people with a partial capacity to work Updated policy.
4.1.1 General provisions of deprivation Clarified policy.
4.2.8.20 Dependent YA - maintenance income test Updated maintenance income free area thresholds.
4.3.2.31 Income exempt from assessment - specifically approved Updated list of exemptions.
4.4.1.10 Overview of deeming Updated to reflect 1 July 2024 deeming rates and thresholds.
4.6.2.10 General provisions for exempt assets Updated exempt funeral investment threshold.
4.6.5.80 Assessing interests in a deceased estate Updated Act reference.
4.8.2.20 Early release of superannuation Clarified policy.
4.9.2.10 Characteristics of pre-20/09/2004 asset-test exempt income streams Updated to include military invalidity pension income streams.
4.9.2.15 Characteristics of asset-test exempt income streams purchased from 20/09/2004 & before 20/09/2007 Updated to include military invalidity pension income streams.
4.9.2.20 Extension of asset test exemption to pre-20/9/98 defined benefit income streams Clarified policy.
4.9.2.30 Income test assessment of asset-test exempt income streams Updated to include military invalidity pension income streams.
4.9.2.40 Commuting an asset-test exempt income stream Updated to include military invalidity pension income streams.
4.9.2.50 Joint income streams Updated to include military invalidity pension income streams.
4.9.6.20 Payment splits of income streams - percentage payment splits Updated to include military invalidity pension income streams.
4.9.6.50 Percentage payment splits - defined benefit income streams & military invalidity pension income streams Updated to include military invalidity pension income streams.
4.9.6.70 Payment splits of income streams - base amount payment splits Updated to include military invalidity pension income streams.
4.9.6.100 Base amount payment splits - defined benefit income streams & military invalidity pension income streams Updated to include military invalidity pension income streams.
4.9.8.20 Assessment of non-performing income streams Updated to include military invalidity pension income streams.
4.9.8.30 History of the treatment of income streams Updated to include military invalidity pension income streams.
4.10.3 Historical age & invalid (disability support) pension income & assets limits Updated to reflect indexation.
4.14.3.35 Special disability trusts - discretionary spending Updated discretionary spending limit.
5.1.1.20 YA - current rates Clarified policy.
5.1.6.10 SpB - current rates Clarified policy.
5.1.8.20 Common benefit rates Clarified policy.
5.1.10.40 EMEP - current rates Updated to reflect indexation.
5.2.6.80 Employment entry payment (EEP) historical rates Clarified ceased policy.
5.2.9.20 EMEP - historical rates Updated to reflect indexation.
5.5.4.50 PPS, under age pension age, 2 children Updated to reflect indexation.
5.5.4.60 PPS, over age pension age, 1 child Updated to reflect indexation.
6.3.9 Confirming employment income Clarified policy.
6.7.1.110 Notice of debts Clarified policy.
6.7.2.70 Debt recovery by deductions from payments to third parties Clarified policy.
6.7.3.40 Waiver of debt on the basis of special circumstances Clarified policy.
6.7.3.90 Waiver of debts of a particular class Clarified policy.
7.1.4 Requirements for former residents of Australia receiving a portable pension Clarified policy.
9.1.2 Visas Updated information on visa subclasses.
9.2.3 Visa subclasses 140-199 payment eligibility Updated information on visa subclasses.
9.2.6 Visa subclasses 400-439 payment eligibility Updated information on visa subclasses.