Navigating the different aspects and requirements to be eligible for the Disability Support Pension (DSP) can be tough, especially when you need to factor in your partner's income as well as your own. 

Read on to learn about how much your partner can earn whilst you are on the Disability Support Pension, what the income limits are, and the other factors that can impact your eligibility.

What is the DSP?

The DSP is a financial help income support payment from the Australian Government to help Australians living with a physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that stops them from working, or limits how many hours they can work per week.

How much is the disability pension?

The amount you can receive on the DSP varies depending on your circumstances. Factors that influence how much you can claim include your age, income, how much your partner earns, what assets you and your partner have, and if you have dependant children.

Learn more about how much you can earn in our guide: How much is the disability pension in Australia?

How will my claim be assessed?

When you claim the DSP, you will be assessed to see if you meet both non-medical and medical rules. Following this, Centrelink may ask you to undertake some tests such as income and asset tests and a job capacity assessment to determine how much you can earn on the DSP.

Depending on your situation, you may need to participate in a program of support to be eligible.

How does my partner's income impact my Disability Support Pension?

Your partner's income can significantly impact how much you can earn on the DSP. As a part of your application for the DSP, you will have to do a combined income assessment to assess your eligibility.

Depending on your combined income, it may be above the threshold for how much you can earn whilst earning the full DSP. For every dollar your partner earns over this threshold, your DSP payment will be reduced by a specific rate.

Income test for partners

If you are in a couple and are 21 years or older, here are the income thresholds for the DSP:

• Your pension will not reduce if you earn up to $372 per fortnight between the both of you

• Your pension will reduced by 50c per dollar for every dollar over $372

• If you are a couple living together and earn over $3822.40 per fortnight combined, you will receive no pension

• If you are a couple living apart due to ill health and earn over $4,949.60 per fortnight combined, you will receive no pension

If you want to know how much you can earn individually on the DSP, you can learn more on the Services Australia website

Couple payment rates for DSP

If you are in a couple, here are the maximum DSP rates you can receive:

• A couple over 21, each: $789.30 per fortnight

• A couple over 21, combined: $1,578.60 per fortnight

• A couple over 21 separated due to ill health, each: $1,047.10 per fortnight

• A couple, and younger than 21: $822.60 per fortnight

* DSP figures were last updated 1 January 2025. To check the latest information visit Services Australia

Balancing work and the DSP when living with a disability, injury, or health condition

Even if you are receiving the DSP, balancing work whilst you are living with a disability or health condition can be challenging. 

It can be overwhelming trying to balance how much you work compared to how much your partner works to ensure you don’t lose the pension.

On the other hand, if you are already on the DSP and are considering work, it's important to understand how much you can earn without losing your DSP entirely. 

Support services like APM Employment Services can help you find and maintain a role that not only suits your abilities but also your needs.

Get support with Disability Employment Services from APM

If you are living with a disability, injury, or health condition and want to work or need some extra support, speak to APM about how to reach your goals. 

When you register with DES providers such as APM, you receive the following types of support:

• Career advice

• Finding suitable job opportunities 

• Writing resumes and job applications

• Applying for the Disability Support Pension

• Gaining employment skills

• Accessing funding for costs like transport and uniforms

• Accessing funding for workplace accommodations

• Accessing mental health services

Find out if you’re eligible for the Disability Support Pension, otherwise, you can contact our friendly team with any questions you have about how APM can support your on your job search

About this article

APM supports people with disability, injury, or a health condition through various programs and services across its businesses, including Disability Employment Services in Australia.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

When discussing disability, APM’s copy style is to use person-first language and the social model of disability in the first instance. Some articles may use identity-first language or refer to the medical model of disability for clarity or to better suit a specific audience.

If you have any questions or feedback about the content of this article, visit our Feedback page to get in touch or email support@apm.net.au