Who is eligible for disability pension?
The DSP is designed for people with a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that limits their ability to work.
Not everyone living with a disability, injury, or health condition will be eligible for the DSP. To qualify, you must meet both non-medical and medical criteria.
Navigating these eligibility requirements can be challenging, so we've broken them down into two categories:
Non-medical rules
According to Services Australia, to qualify for the DSP, you must meet all the non-medical rules, which include your age, residency, income, and assets.
Age
You must be between 16 years old and 67, the pension age. You can apply for the DSP up to three months before you turn 16, but payments will not begin until your 16th birthday.
Residence requirement
You generally need to have been an Australian resident for at least 10 years to qualify for the DSP. However, exceptions apply if:
You are a refugee or former refugee.
You became unable to work or were permanently blind while an Australian resident.
You were a dependent child of an Australian resident when you became unable to work or were permanently blind.
Income
You can still qualify for the DSP even if you and/or your partner earn income, but there are limits.
If your combined income exceeds these limits, your DSP payments will be reduced. For more information, visit our blog on how much is the Disability Support Pension in Australia?
Assets
You can own assets and still be eligible for the DSP, but there are limits. Assets include property, savings, and any possessions that generate income, both in Australia and overseas.
If your assets exceed the threshold, your payment may be reduced.
Medical rules
According to Services Australia, to meet the medical criteria for the DSP you must either qualify under the manifest medical rules or general medical rules.
Manifest medical rules
You may automatically qualify for the DSP if any of the following apply to your situation:
You are permanently blind.
You have an intellectual disability with an IQ under 70.
You need nursing home-level care.
You have category four HIV/AIDS.
You have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of fewer than two years.
You receive a Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation Payment at the Special Rate.
General medical rules
If you don’t meet the manifest medical rules, your eligibility will be assessed under the general medical rules, which require that:
Your condition is fully diagnosed, treated, and stabilised.
Your condition will prevent you from working at least 15 hours a week for the next two years or retraining for another job.
You have an impairment rating of 20 points or more (see below).
You meet the Program of Support (POS) rules, if applicable.
Impairment rating
To assess how your disability, injury, or health condition affects your ability to work, the government uses the Social Security Impairment Tables.
These tables assess functional limitations and provide a consistent, transparent method of determining eligibility.
If you score 20 points or more using the impairment tables and meet all other requirements, you may qualify for the DSP.
For detailed information about the Impairment Tables, refer to Services Australia’s guidelines. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, you can also speak with a healthcare provider or Centrelink.
Program of Support rules
If your impairment rating is less than 20 points, and you don’t meet the manifest medical rules, you may be required to participate in a Program of Support (POS).
These programs help people with disability, injury, or health conditions prepare for employment, find jobs, and stay employed.
Participation in a POS can help build skills and access support to increase your work readiness.
If required to participate, APM offers Disability Employment Services (DES), designed to assist people with disability in finding meaningful work and reaching their career goals.
You may not need to participate in a POS if:
If you need to join a POS, APM can help.
We provide personalised support through job search coaching, resume writing, interview preparation, and workplace accommodations. Register today to begin your journey with our friendly team.
Job Capacity Assessment
According to Services Australia, as part of your DSP application, you may need to undergo a Job Capacity Assessment (JCA). This assessment evaluates how your medical condition impacts your ability to work and ensures you receive the appropriate support.
During the JCA, your medical evidence, functional limitations, rehabilitation efforts, and any assistive technologies you use will be reviewed.
This helps determine your eligibility for the DSP and identifies other support services you might need, such as referrals to a Disability Employment Services provider like APM.
During the assessment, you will be asked questions about:
Your medical condition/s.
How your medical conditions affect your ability to work.
Your medical evidence.
Assistance or rehabilitation you have had.
Assistive technologies, aides and other equipment you use.
Disability Medical Assessment
If you apply for the DSP under the general medical rules, you may also need to attend a Disability Medical Assessment. This can only be performed by a government-contracted medical practitioner or clinical psychologist.
During the assessment, the practitioner will review your medical evidence, validate your impairment rating, and ask about the impact of your condition on your daily life.
It’s essential to bring any new or updated medical documents that support your application.
