Social Security Guide updates - 2024
- 12 August 2024 (v1.319)
- 1 July 2024 (v1.318)
- 6 May 2024 (v1.317)
- 20 March 2024 (v1.316)
- 5 February 2024 (v1.315)
- 2 January 2024 (v1.314)
12 August 2024 (v1.319)
Page | Title | Details | |
---|---|---|---|
1.1.A.340 | Australian working life residence (AWLR) | Clarified definition. | |
1.1.A.360 | Autonomous pensions | Clarified definition. | |
1.1.H.80 | Host country agreement | Clarified definition. | |
1.1.V.40 | Visa | Clarified definition. | |
2.2.5.30 | Determining member of a couple relationships | Clarified policy. | |
2.2.5.50 | Determining separated under one roof | Clarified policy. | |
3.1.6.10 | General payability provisions | Removed information regarding multiple entitlement exclusion for CDEP. | |
3.2.5.60 | Parents unable to provide a home (YA, DSP & SpB) | Clarified policy. | |
3.7.2.50 | SpB for expectant mothers (deleted) | Removed information. | |
4.3.6.10 | Income from overseas payments - general rules | Clarified policy. | |
4.6.3.70 | Exempting the principal home - care situations | Updated policy. | |
4.8.2.20 | Early release of superannuation | Updated Act & Policy reference. | |
4.9.4.10 | Background to income streams paid from SMSFs or SAFs | Clarified policy. | |
4.9.6.10 | Splitting of income streams - overview | Clarified policy. | |
4.9.6.60 | Payment splits of income streams - creation by trustee of new interest, transfer/roll-over or lump sum payment | Clarified policy. | |
6.7.1.70 | Debts arising from conviction | Clarified policy. | |
7.3.2 | CFP exemptions | Updated policy to include information on bereavement. | |
8.1.7.20 | Social worker involvement - specific payments | Clarified policy. | |
9.4.2 | Lodging an AoS | Clarified policy. | . |
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. |
6 May 2024 (v1.317)
Page | Title | Details |
---|---|---|
1.1.E.120 | Entitled person (WidB, WP) | Clarified definition. |
1.2.3.60 | Special needs pension (SpNP) - description | Clarified policy. |
3.1.15.30 | Work bonus - application | Clarified policy. |
3.4.6.10 | Qualification for SpNP | Clarified policy. |
3.4.6.20 | Payability of SpNP | Clarified policy. |
3.4.6.30 | Financial assessment for SpNP | Clarified policy. |
3.4.6.40 | General assessment of SpNP claims | Clarified policy. |
3.4.6.70 | Continuation, variation or termination of SpNP | Clarified policy. |
3.7.1.50 | Short & long term categories of SpB | Updated Act reference. |
3.9.1.70 | LIC - assessment of income | Updated income limit rates for low income health care card. |
4.3.2.35 | Income exempt from assessment - s 8(11) exempt lump sums | Updated list of lump sums specifically exempted under section 8(11). |
4.6.4.50 | Granny flats - features right and interests | Clarified policy. |
8.1.4.70 | Supplementary benefits - documentation required | Clarified policy. |
9.4.1.10 | Overview of the AoS scheme | Clarified policy. |
9.4.1.20 | History of the AoS scheme | Updated to reflect changes to assurance of support scheme. |
9.4.3.10 | Assurer eligibility requirements - individuals | Clarified policy. |
9.4.3.20 | Examples - income requirements for individuals | Clarified policy. |
9.4.3.50 | Assurer eligibility requirements - Community Support Program | Clarified policy. |
9.4.4 | AoS securities | Clarified policy. |
9.4.6 | AoS periods, cancellations & transfers | Clarified policy. |
20 March 2024 (v1.316)
Page | Title | Details |
---|---|---|
1.1.A.220 | Approved voluntary work organisation (JSP, YA, PP, SpB) | Updated definition. |
1.1.D.70 | Dependent child | Updated permissible child earnings limits. |
3.1.2.20 | Liquid assets test waiting period | Clarified the liquid asset waiting period calculation. |
3.3.1.10 | Qualification for PA | Clarified ceased payment. |
3.3.1.20 | Issues affecting qualification for PA | Clarified ceased payment. |
3.3.1.30 | Payability of PA | Clarified policy. |
3.5.2.10 | Qualification for DOP | Clarified policy. |
3.7.4.20 | Qualification for CrP - extreme circumstances (domestic & family violence) forcing departure from home | Clarified policy. |
3.11.2 | Job Plans | Clarified policy. |
3.11.3.30 | Voluntary work | Clarified policy. |
4.8.2.10 | Principles for assessing superannuation investments | Clarified policy. |
5.1.1.20 | YA - current rates | Updated rates. |
5.1.4.40 | DOP - current rate | Clarified policy. |
5.1.4.50 | DOP - additional component | Clarified policy. |
5.1.5.10 | DSP - current rates | Updated rates. |
5.1.7.10 | RA - current rates | Updated rates and thresholds. |
5.1.8.10 | Common pension rates | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.1.8.20 | Common benefit rates | Updated rates. |
5.1.9.10 | Pension supplement - current rates | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.2.1.20 | Single unemployment & sickness benefit - November 1984 to present date | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.2.1.30 | Partnered unemployment & sickness benefit - November 1984 to present date | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.2.2.10 | Maximum basic rates of pension - July 1909 to present date | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.2.2.15 | Historical transitional pension rates payable from 20/09/2009 | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.2.3.10 | Widow class A, supporting parent's benefit, sole parent pension, PPS - rates from July 1942 to present date | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.2.4.50 | Parenting payment & associated rates - July 1995 to present date | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.2.6.10 | RA rates - June 1990 to present date | Updated rates and thresholds. |
5.2.8.10 | Pension supplement - historical rates | Updated rates. |
5.5.2.10 | Single person 22 years & over, no dependents, income over $300 per fortnight | Updated to reflect legislative change. |
5.5.2.20 | Single person 22 years & over, no dependents, income $256 & under per fortnight | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.5.2.30 | Single person 22 years & over, no dependents, paying no rent | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.5.2.40 | Single person under 22 years, no dependents, income $250 & under per fortnight | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.5.2.50 | Single person 22 years & over, principal carer of dependent children | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.5.3.10 | Partnered allowance recipient, partner also receives an allowance, income above free areas | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.5.3.30 | Partnered JSP recipient, partner's income results in nil rate, or partner not on income support | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.5.3.50 | Partnered allowance recipient, partner receiving pension | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.5.3.60 | Partnered allowance recipient - compensation effect on partner | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.5.4.10 | PPP, partner not a pensioner | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.5.4.30 | PPP, partner a pensioner, recipient qualifies for PhA | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.5.4.40 | PPP, compensation effect on partner | 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. |
5.5.5 | Samples of DRA rate calculations | Updated to reflect correct date rates apply for examples. |
5.5.5.20 | DRA, eligible for JSP, income cut-off does not apply | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.5.5.30 | DRA, eligible for JSP, income cut-off applies | Updated to reflect indexation. |
6.2.1 | Proof of life certificate (Age, DSP, CP) | Updated policy. |
10.1.6 | Australia's agreements & proof of identity | Clarified policy. |
5 February 2024 (v1.315)
Page | Title | Details |
---|---|---|
3.1.5.30 | Bereavement payment provisions for couples | Clarified policy. |
3.1.5.120 | Examples of bereavement calculations for PP | Updated examples. |
3.7.4.20 | Qualification for CrP - extreme circumstances (domestic & family violence) forcing departure from home | Updated to reflect the creation of the crisis payment extreme circumstances hubs. |
3.7.4.30 | Qualification for CrP - extreme circumstances (other) | Updated to reflect the creation of the crisis payment extreme circumstances hubs. |
3.7.4.40 | Qualification for CrP - released prisoners | Added Act reference. |
3.9.1.45 | Foster child HCC | Updated Act references and clarified policy. |
3.9.1.70 | LIC - assessment of income | Updated to correct income dates. |
10.34 | Agreement with Serbia | New agreement. |
2 January 2024 (v1.314)
Page | Title | Details |
---|---|---|
1.1.A.210 | Approved course of education or study (YA (full-time student), Austudy, PES) | Updated policy. |
1.1.A.270 | Articulated short course sequence (YA, Austudy, PES) | Updated Act reference and clarified policy. |
1.1.F.160 | Foreign income (dependent YA) | Updated Policy references and clarified policy. |
1.1.I.50 | Income components (YA) | Clarified policy. |
1.1.L.30 | Late starting course (YA, Austudy, PES) | Clarified policy. |
1.1.L.100 | Long term income support student (YA, Austudy) | Clarified policy. |
1.1.P.45 | Parental means test (YA) | Updated policy and added Act references. |
1.1.R.30 | Reasonable distance (YA) | Added Act reference. |
1.1.S.30 | Satisfactory progress (YA) | Added Act reference. |
1.1.S.320 | State care (YA) | Clarified policy and added Act reference. |
1.1.T.05 | Target foreign income (dependent YA) | New page. |
1.1.T.105 | Total net investment loss (YA) | Clarified policy and updated examples. |
1.2.7.40 | Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS) - description | Clarified policy. |
1.2.7.165 | Student start-up loan (SSL) - description | Clarified policy. |
3.1.15 | Work bonus | Updated section to reflect legislative change. |
3.2.3.10 | Qualification for YA | Clarified policy. |
3.2.5.20 | De facto relationships (YA & DSP) | Clarified policy. |
3.2.5.40 | Assessment of extreme family breakdown & other similar exceptional circumstances | Clarified policy. |
3.2.5.50 | Assessment of serious risk | Clarified policy. |
3.2.5.90 | Education or employment disadvantage (YA & DSP) | Updated examples. |
3.2.7.110 | YA full-time students satisfactory progress - study at the same level | Clarified policy. |
3.3.3.10 | Qualification for Austudy | Clarified policy. |
3.3.3.70 | Austudy participation failures | Added Act reference. |
3.4.7.20 | Registration for PBS | Clarified policy. |
3.6.7.47 | Qualification for CA - verifying care provided by non co-resident carers | Clarified policy. |
3.7.6.10 | Qualification for DRA | Updated prescribed payments list. |
3.7.6.20 | Determining the rate of DRA | Updated rates. |
3.8.4.10 | Eligibility & general rules for SFSS | Clarified policy. |
3.8.4.80 | Repayment of the financial supplement - after the contract ends | Clarified policy. |
3.8.19 | SSL - qualification & payability | Clarified policy. |
3.10.3.30 | Some YA payments made weekly | Added Act reference. |
3.11.13.50 | Financial penalties | Clarified policy. |
4.2.7 | DRA income test | Updated income cut-off amount. |
4.2.8.10 | Dependent YA - parental income test | Clarified policy. |
4.2.8.40 | Independent YA - partner income test & limits | Added Act reference. |
4.2.8.50 | Full-time students - personal income test, limits & student income bank | Updated examples, income free area and maximum student income bank. |
4.2.8.55 | Full-time Australian Apprentice - personal income test, limits & Australian Apprentice income bank | Updated income free area and examples. |
4.3.1.10 | Determining the rate of income for benefits | Updated examples. |
4.3.1.20 | Determining the rate of income for pensioners of age pension age from 20/09/2009 | Updated to include additional example clarifying note. |
4.3.1.25 | Determining the assessable income for pensioners below age pension age | Updated examples to clarify treatment of lump sums |
4.3.1.40 | Determining the rate of income for PP | Updated examples to clarify treatment of lump sums. |
4.3.3.05 | Employment income - assessed when paid | Clarified policy. |
4.9.3.35 | Means test assessment of asset-tested income streams (lifetime) | Updated to reflect changes to actuary life tables. |
4.10.1.50 | Historical employment amount (permissible child earnings) - January 1990 to present date | Updated rate. |
4.10.2 | Historical unemployment (including JSP), sickness benefit & SA income test from September 1969 to present date | Updated to reflect indexation. |
4.10.4.10 | Historical widow class A, sole parent benefit & PPS means test limits | Updated to reflect indexation on Table 3 Income & assets test. |
5.1.1.20 | YA - current rates | Updated rates. |
5.1.2.30 | Austudy - current rates | Updated rates. |
5.1.4.40 | DOP - current rate | Updated rate. |
5.1.5.40 | MOB - current rates | Updated rates. |
5.1.7.20 | PhA - current rates | Updated rates. |
5.1.7.40 | Relocation scholarship - current rates | Updated rates. |
5.1.7.46 | SSL - current rate | Updated rate. |
5.2.1.20 | Single unemployment & sickness benefit - November 1984 to present date | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.2.1.50 | Youth related payments - July 1986 to present date | Updated rates. |
5.2.2.40 | Historical rates of DSP for people under 21 years of age without dependent children - July 2000 to present date | Updated rates. |
5.2.4.60 | DOP rates - October 1973 to present date | Updated rates. |
5.2.5.20 | CA, child disability allowance & HCA - December 1974 to present date, DNCB 1987 to 1999 | Updated rate. |
5.2.6.50 | PhA rates - 01/11/90 to present date | Added rate at 1 January 2024. |
5.5.2.10 | Single person 22 years & over, no dependents, income over $300 per fortnight | Updated to reflect legislative change. |
5.5.2.20 | Single person 22 years & over, no dependents, income $256 & under per fortnight | Updated to reflect legislative change. |
5.5.2.30 | Single person 22 years & over, no dependents, paying no rent | Updated to reflect legislative change. |
5.5.2.40 | Single person aged under 22 years, no dependents, income $250 & under per fortnight | Updated rates. |
5.5.5 | Samples of DRA rate calculations | Updated dates to reflect indexation. |
5.5.5.10 | DRA, eligible for YA, income cut-off does not apply | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.5.5.20 | DRA, eligible for JSP, income cut-off does not apply | Updated to reflect indexation. |
5.5.5.30 | DRA, eligible for JSP, income cut-off applies | Updated to reflect indexation. |
6.2.1 | Proof of life certificate (Age, DSP, CP) | Clarified policy. |
6.2.4.20 | DOP reviews - general provisions | Updated policy. |
6.2.5.130 | CA (child) - reviews for recognised disabilities, medical conditions & child turning 16 years of age | Clarified policy. |
6.3.8.40 | Student start-up loan (SSL) overpayments | Clarified policy and updated Act reference. |
6.9 | SSL repayment arrangements | Clarified policy. |
8.1.8 | Interviews | Updated Act reference. |