9.1 Income and Assets Test Principles

This chapter contains information on the process of calculating an individual's rate of service pension and income support supplement (ISS), including details of the adjustments that may be applied to a person's assessed rate of pension. It also outlines the deductions that can be made from the amount of pension payable.

See Also

Income and Assets Test Principles

Chapter 3.3 Service Pension and Income Support Supplement Payability [2]

Chapter 9.2 Residential Situation [3]

Chapter 9.3 Marital Status [4]

Chapter 9.4 Children [5]

Chapter 9.5 Deeming Provisions [6]

Chapter 9.6 Deprivation of Income and Assets [7]

Chapter 9.7 Statutory Increases [8]

Chapter 10.1 Ordinary Income [9]

Chapter 10.2 Assets [10]

Chapter 10.3 Business Structures and Trusts [11]

Chapter 10.4 Superannuation Funds [12]

Chapter 10.5 Income Streams [13]

Chapter 10.6 Maintenance Income [14]

Chapter 11.1 Income Support Effective Dates and Pension Periods [15]

9.1.1 Overview of Income and Assets Test Principles

The assessment process

A person's rate of service pension [17] or ISS [17] is based on a number of factors, including:

the income [17] and assets [17] of the pensioner and, where applicable, the pensioner's partner [17],

(Note: service pension assesses ordinary income, whilst ISS assesses adjusted income)

the number of dependent children [17] (for transitional rate clients only),
whether the person has reached qualifying age and still working,
the person's family situation,

and whether the pensioner:

is renting their home,
lives in a remote area [17], or
is blind [17].

The rate of service pension may also be affected by whether the pensioner is a war widow/widower-pensioner [17].

More ? [18]

The income and assets tests

Unless a person is permanently blind, the amount of service pension or ISS payable to a person depends on their income and assets. If the person is a member of a couple [17], their pension is calculated using 50% of the combined income and assets of the couple, regardless of which member of the couple actually receives the income or owns the assets.

More ? [19]

Changes to pension payments under the Secure and Sustainable Pension Reforms

From 20 September 2009, the income test taper rate increased from 40 cents to 50 cents per fortnight (from 20 cents to 25 cents each for couples). The additional income free area for dependent children was also removed and no longer forms part of the calculation of a person's income free area.

Transitional Provisions

The entitlements of existing pensioners whose pension would be reduced because of the income test changes, will be paid under the transitional rules. The transitional rules will ensure that these pensioners stay on the 40 cents taper and have access to the additional child income free area (if applicable) until such time as the standard rules provide a higher rate of pension.

Moving from transitional provisions

When pensioners move from the transitional rules to the standard assessment rules, they cannot return to the transitional rules even when their circumstances change and they would again be better off under the transitional rules. The only exception is temporary assessment as a respite care couple.

More ? [20]

Application of the assessed rate of pension

The rate of service pension and ISS is calculated on an annual basis, converted to a daily amount, and then paid in fortnightly instalments. The amount payable on a pension payday [17] is the total amount payable for the days in the pension period [17] during which the pension was payable.

Once the pension rate has been assessed, a number of minor adjustments may be made to the rate. The amount payable may also be reduced because of advance payments or overpayments.

More ? [21]

Order of reduction of payments

There is a specific order of reduction set out in the VEA [17]. This is so the taxable component of service pension or ISS is reduced by the income or assets test (or the maintenance income [17] test in the case of saved children [17]) prior to any of the non-taxable allowances. The order of reduction of payments depends on the:

reason for the reduction, and
type of payment. More ? [22]

Section 9.1.2 The Assessment Process [23]

More ? (go back) [24]

Section 9.1.3 The Income and Assets Tests [25]

More ? (go back) [26]

9.2.4/Respite care [27]

More ? (go back) [28]

Section 9.1.4 Application of the Assessed Rate of Pension [29]

More ? (go back) [30]

Section 9.1.5 Order of Reduction [31]

More ? (go back) [32]

A service pension is an income support payment broadly equivalent to the social security age and disability support pensions. It may be paid once a veteran or partner has reached the nominated age or is incapacitated for work.

ISS is an income support payment that may be paid to eligible war widows and widowers under the VEA and persons receiving wholly dependent partners' compensation under the MRCA, and who satisfy the means tests. It is an indexed rate, increased twice-yearly in March and September in line with changes to the cost of living and/or average wages. Income Support Supplement (ISS) legislation commenced on 20 March 1995. It is a payment created to replace the ceiling rate income support age, carer, wife and disability support pensions, paid to war widows/widowers by Centrelink.

According to section 5H of the VEA [33] income is:

an amount earned, derived or received by a person for the person's own use or benefit;
a periodical payment by way of gift or allowance; or
a periodical benefit by way of gift or allowance.

An asset means any property, including property outside Australia.

A person's 'partner' is someone who is a member of a couple with that person.

Section 5F(1) of the VEA defines dependent child as having the same meaning as in the Social Security Act 1991. For income support purposes, dependent child is defined as:

Child under 16 years

the pensioner has legal responsibility either alone or jointly with another person for the day to day care, welfare and development of the young person AND the young person is in the pensioner's care, or
the young person is not a dependent child of someone else AND the young person is wholly or substantially in the pensioner's care.

A child under 16 years cannot be considered a dependent child if:

they are not a full-time student, and
their weekly income from any source is more than the amount specified in section 5(3)(c) of the Social Security Act.

Child 16 years or older

A young person who has turned 16 years but is under 22 years can still be a dependent child of the pensioner if:

they are wholly or substantially dependent on the pensioner, and
their income in the financial year will not exceed the personal income limit, and
they are receiving full-time education at a school, college or university.

A child over 16 years cannot be considered a dependent child if:

they receive a social security pension or benefit such as youth allowance, or
their personal income is more than the amount specified in section 5(4)(b) of the Social Security Act.

Income includes earning from casual, part-time or full-time earnings.

SSA → [34]

Social Security Act 1991 [35]

SSA → (go back) [36]

Note: the meaning of a dependent child for DVA income support pension purposes is not the same as the meaning for Family Tax Benefit purposes.

A remote area is defined as one of the following:

Tax Zone A, including the following islands:

-Macquarie Island,

-Norfolk Island,

-The Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands,

-The Australian Antarctic Territory,

-The Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands,

-The Territory of Christmas Island, and

-Lord Howe Island,

Locations within Tax Zone B that are 250 kilometres distant from the nearest urban centre with 2,500 people (known as Special Tax Zone B); and
Those places in Australia that the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 treats as being either in Tax Zone A or Special Tax Zone B.

A person may be regarded as permanently blind in both eyes where:

there is a total loss of sight; or
visual acuity after correction with suitable lenses is less than 6/60 in both eyes on the Snellen Scale; or
where, in the written opinion of an ophthalmologist, the visual field deficits and/or combination of deficits results in a visual impairment which is the equivalent of a corrected visual acuity measure of less than 6/60 in both eyes.

The Commission Guideline CM5829: Determining 'permanently blind', 'no useful sight' and 'blinded in both eyes' [37]may be instructive in making a blinded/blindness determination.

War widow/widower — pensioner means a person who is receiving a war widow's/widower's pension [17] from the Australian Government.

According to Section 5E(2) [38]of the VEA [38]a person is a member of a couple, if they are:

legally married to another person and is not living separately and apart from the other person on a permanent basis; or
living in a prescribed registered relationship with the other person (whether of the same sex or a different sex) and is not living separately and apart from that other person on a permanent basis; or
all of the following conditions are met:

living with another person, whether of the same sex or a different sex;
not legally married to that person;
in a de facto relationship with that person; and
not in a prohibited relationship

The term “partnered” is also commonly used.

Commencing from the Thursday falling on 11 July 1991, DVA pension payday falls on each succeeding alternate Thursday. Refer to the fact sheet IS144 [39]Pension Paydays, Allowance Payment Dates & Pension Periods [39]for a listing of these days.

According to subsection 5Q(1) (b), of the VEA a pension period is a period of two weeks that starts two days before a payday (i.e. Tuesday) and ends two days before the next payday (i.e. close of business Monday).

Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

According to subsection 5K(1) of the VEA [38], maintenance income in relation to a person, means:

child maintenance — that is, the amount of a payment or the value of a benefit that is received by the person for the maintenance of a maintained child of the person and is received from:

a parent of the child, or
the partner or former partner of a parent of the child, or

partner maintenance — that is, the amount of a payment or the value of a benefit that is received by the person for the person's own maintenance and is received from the person's partner or former partner, or
direct child maintenance — that is, the amount of a payment or the value of a benefit that is received by a maintained child of the person for the child's own maintenance and is received from:

a parent of the child, or
the partner or former partner of a parent of the child,

but does not include disability expenses maintenance.

From 1 January 1998 responsibility for administration of most income support child related payments was transferred to Centrelink [17]. However, saving provisions allow any person in receipt of service pension [17] or income support supplement [17] on 31 December 1997 who would be or is financially disadvantaged by the transfer to continue having their child related payments paid by DVA [17]. Saved children are assessed under the rules contained in the VEA as at 31 December 1997.

9.1.2 The Assessment Process

This section explains the assessment process and how pension rates are determined.

Assessment Process for Service Pension Payable to Non-War Widow/Widower-Pensioners

Last amended: 21 September 2009

Determining the rate for non-blinded service pensioners

VEA ? [42]

SCH6-A1(2) [43] of VEA

Service Pension Rate Calculation Process

Last amended

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Last amended: 5 March 2013

VEA → [45]

Service pension calculation – not blind or war widow/widower-pensioner

The following table shows the steps involved in the overall service pension rate calculation process for a person who is:

not blind [17], or
not a war widow/widower-pensioner [17].

Step	Action
1	Determine the person's maximum basic rate of service pension. VEA → [46]
1A	Work out the amount of pension supplement VEA → [47]
1B	Determine the amount of clean energy supplement [17]
2	Determine the amount per year (if any) of rent assistance. More → [48]
4	Add the amounts from steps 1, 1A, 1B and 2 to give the maximum payment rate.
5	Calculate any reduction for ordinary income [17]. More → [49]
6	Deduct income reduction from the maximum payment rate to give the income reduced rate.
7	Calculate any reduction for assets. More → [50]
8	Deduct assets reduction from the maximum payment rate to give the assets reduced rate.
9	Compare the income reduced rate and the assets reduced rate: the lower of the two rates is the provisional payment rate. (If the two rates are equal, the income reduced rate is used).
10	Determine the amount per year (if any) of remote area allowance [17]. More → [51]
11	Add any amount obtained in step 10 to the provisional payment rate. The result is the person's rate of service pension.

Note: current rates are found in the Reference Library.

More → [52]

The above rate calculation process is the standard process for service pensioners.

Transitional arrangements – pre 20 September 2009 pensioners

VEA → [53]

Transitional arrangements protect pensioners who were in payment immediately before 20 September 2009 and whose pension would be reduced under the standard rules [17]. The process for the calculation of pension in these cases is:

determine the person's maximum basic rate of service pension in accordance with Schedule 5, Part 5 subclause 31 (1), (2), (3) or (4). This is the transitional MBR (which is indexed by CPI only), VEA → [54]
add any amount of energy supplement and/or rent assistance to the transitional MBR to give the maximum payment rate,
work out the income reduced rate, allowing for additional child income free area (if applicable). There is no work bonus income concession and the 40 cents taper rate applies,
work out the assets reduction amount (using the standard rules in Module F) and deduct from the maximum payment rate, and
the lower of the income reduced rate and the assets reduced rate (or the income reduced rate if both rates are equal) is the provisional payment rate.

The provisional payment rate calculated under the transitional arrangements applies until such time as the standard rules provide a higher rate of pension.

Service pension calculation where there are saved children

VEA → [55]

Where a person has saved children [17], the steps set out above for service pension calculation are modified, as follows:

the dependent child add-on [17] (for each dependent child [17]) and guardian allowance [17] (if eligible) are included in the maximum payment rate,
when calculating any rent assistance [17] payable, the higher rent assistance thresholds and rates of rent assistance payable to pensioners with saved children are to be used,
if the pensioner is in receipt of disability pension [17] and is eligible for rent assistance, the rent assistance free area may be increased where there are dependent children, and
the maintenance income test is applied to the maximum payment rate, along with the ordinary income test, to calculate the income reduced rate of pension. More → [56]

Service pension calculation - non-pensioner partner

Prior to 1 October 1995, if a pensioner's partner was not in receipt of a pension or benefit, the non-partnered maximum basic rate was used to calculate their pension. After that date, the pension of a person with a non-pensioner partner was calculated using the partnered rate.

Savings provision - non-pensioner partner pre 1995 (known as 04 cases)

VEA → [57]

A savings provision protected those partnered pensioners whose pensions were, immediately before 1 October 1995, calculated using the non-partnered maximum basic rate. The effect on the calculation of pension in these cases is:

the rate of pension applicable immediately before 1 October 1995 (the saved rate) will be decreased by any reductions in pension resulting from a person's change in circumstances,
any potential increases in pension as a result of a person's change of circumstances or as the result of indexation [17] or other increases in any component of the person's pension will not increase the saved rate. Rather, these increases will be offset against the excess pension being paid because of the savings provision.

When the saved rate of pension equals the rate that would apply if the pensioner were assessed at the partnered rate, the savings provision cease to apply and the assessment reverts to a normal partnered assessment.

Circumstances where partner not receiving a pension (04 cases)

Circumstances in which the partner would not be receiving a pension are:

the partner does not have residency,
the partner is a war widow/widower and their combined income and assets prevents any ISS [17] being paid,
the partner is working and does not want to claim a pension,
the partner is under the age at which a pension would be payable,
the partner is receiving a compensation payment, or
the pensioner is classified as 'blinded for service pension purposes' and their income and assets prevents the partner from being paid.

Other service pension calculations process

The table below lists service pension rate calculation processes used for other pensioners, and provides a link to the relevant calculators in the VEA.

To calculate the rate of service pension for a person who is...	click on the corresponding icon below.
blind, but not a war widow/widower-pensioner	VEA → [58]
Both: blind, and a war widow/widower-pensioner	VEA → [59]
a war widow/widower-pensioner, but not blind	VEA → [60]

SCH6-A1 [61] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [62]

Schedule 6, Part 2, Module B [63] VEA - Maximum basic rate

VEA → (go back) [64]

Schedule 6, Part 2, Module BA [65] VEA

VEA → (go back) [66]

Chapter 5.1 Rent Assistance [67]

More → (go back) [68]

Section 9.1.3 The Income Test [25]

More → (go back) [69]

9.1.3/The Assets Test [70]

More → (go back) [71]

Chapter 5.2 Remote Area Allowance [72]

More → (go back) [73]

Reference Library – Historical Pension Rates

PRH [74]

More → (go back) [75]

Schedule 5, Part 5 [76] VEA

VEA → (go back) [77]

Schedule 5, clause 31 [78] VEA

VEA → (go back) [79]

Saving provisions applicable to the amendments relating to amounts in respect of children

Schedule 5, Clause 10 [80] of VEA

Saving provisions applicable to certain people who cease to be service pensioners on 1 January 1998

Schedule 5, Clause 11 [81] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [82]

Chapter 9.4 Children [5]

Payment of Rent Assistance

Section 5.1.3 [83]

Chapter 10.6 Maintenance Income [14]

Reference Library – Historical Pension Rates

PRH [74]

More → (go back) [84]

Schedule 5, Clause 1 [85] of the VEA

VEA → (go back) [86]

SCH6-A1(3) [87] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [88]

SCH6-A1(5) [89] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [90]

SCH6-A1(4) [91] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [92]

A person may be regarded as permanently blind in both eyes where:

there is a total loss of sight; or
visual acuity after correction with suitable lenses is less than 6/60 in both eyes on the Snellen Scale; or
where, in the written opinion of an ophthalmologist, the visual field deficits and/or combination of deficits results in a visual impairment which is the equivalent of a corrected visual acuity measure of less than 6/60 in both eyes.

The Commission Guideline CM5829: Determining 'permanently blind', 'no useful sight' and 'blinded in both eyes' [37]may be instructive in making a blinded/blindness determination.

War widow/widower — pensioner means a person who is receiving a war widow's/widower's pension [17] from the Australian Government.

The energy supplement is a fortnightly or quarterly payment designed to help recipients meet the cost of electricity and gas bills.

The ordinary income of a person for a period means, as described in section 46 of VEA [38], the gross ordinary income from all sources for that period without any reduction, other than a reduction of business income.

Remote area allowance is a supplementary payment added to the rate of income support pension where the pensioner's usual place of residence is situated in a remote area, and where the pensioner is physically present in the remote area.

Rules introduced as part of the Secure and Sustainable Pension Reforms that came into effect on 20 September 2009. For income and assets test purposes the changes include:

an increase to the income test taper rate from 40 cents to 50 cents in the dollar,
the abolition of the additional child income free area,
the introduction of a fortnightly pension supplement to replace telephone allowance, utilities allowance, pharmaceutical allowance and the GST supplement, and
the introduction of a work bonus, whereby only 50% of the first $500 per fortnight of employment earnings is assessable for eligible pensioners.

Dependent child add-on is an amount which is included in a person's service pension or ISS [17] where that person has saved children [17].

Section 5F(1) of the VEA defines dependent child as having the same meaning as in the Social Security Act 1991. For income support purposes, dependent child is defined as:

Child under 16 years

the pensioner has legal responsibility either alone or jointly with another person for the day to day care, welfare and development of the young person AND the young person is in the pensioner's care, or
the young person is not a dependent child of someone else AND the young person is wholly or substantially in the pensioner's care.

A child under 16 years cannot be considered a dependent child if:

they are not a full-time student, and
their weekly income from any source is more than the amount specified in section 5(3)(c) of the Social Security Act.

Child 16 years or older

A young person who has turned 16 years but is under 22 years can still be a dependent child of the pensioner if:

they are wholly or substantially dependent on the pensioner, and
their income in the financial year will not exceed the personal income limit, and
they are receiving full-time education at a school, college or university.

A child over 16 years cannot be considered a dependent child if:

they receive a social security pension or benefit such as youth allowance, or
their personal income is more than the amount specified in section 5(4)(b) of the Social Security Act.

Income includes earning from casual, part-time or full-time earnings.

SSA → [34]

Social Security Act 1991 [35]

SSA → (go back) [36]

Note: the meaning of a dependent child for DVA income support pension purposes is not the same as the meaning for Family Tax Benefit purposes.

Guardian allowance is included in the calculation of a person's service pension or ISS [17] where that person has a saved child and where that person is either not a member of a couple [17] or is a illness separated couple [17] or respite care couple. [17]

Rent Assistance is an allowance, which may be paid to a service pensioner or income support supplement (ISS) recipient to assist in meeting the cost of rental accommodation.

To receive rent assistance, a pensioner must be paying rent (other than Government rent) for accommodation in Australia, and the amount paid must exceed a certain threshold.

Disability pension, for the purposes of service pension and income support supplement, means:

a pension paid for incapacity from war caused conditions, or peacetime, peacekeeping or hazardous service caused conditions (other than a war widow's or orphan's pension); or
temporary incapacity allowance; or
any other payment in respect of incapacity or death resulting from war or war-like operations in which the Crown has been engaged [usually paid by another Commonwealth country].

Indexation is the action of adjusting pension and allowance rates, limits and thresholds to maintain their value against increases in the cost of living and average earnings.

Assessment Process for Service Pension Payable to War Widow/Widower-Pensioners

Service pensions payable to war widow/widower-pensioners

VEA ? [94]

A war widow/widower-pensioner [17] may be paid age or invalidity service pension [17] if they are also a veteran [17] with qualifying service [17]. In these cases the rate of service pension is:

subject to the income [17] and assets tests [17] (if the pensioner is not [glossary:blind:][glossary:):] [95], and
limited by the ceiling rate. More ? [96]

Rate of service pension - non-blinded war widow/widower-pensioner

To determine the rate of service pension applicable to a non-blinded war widow/widower-pensioner, the rate of pension which would apply if the person was not a war widow/widower-pensioner is calculated and then compared to the ceiling rate (plus any rent assistance and remote area allowance payable). The rate of pension is the lower of these two amounts.

Rate of service pension - blinded war widow/widower-pensioner

If the war widow/widower-pensioner is blind, the rate of service pension is not subject to the income and assets tests. The ceiling rate (plus any rent assistance and remote area allowance if applicable) automatically applies. The partner of a blind pensioner is not exempt from the income and assets tests.

SCH6-A1(4) [43] of VEA

SCH6-A1(5) [43] of VEA

VEA ? (go back) [97]

Ceiling Rate

Section 9.1.3 Assessment Process for ISS [25]

More ? (go back) [98]

War widow/widower — pensioner means a person who is receiving a war widow's/widower's pension [17] from the Australian Government.

For the purposes of Part VI of the VEA [99], a reference to a veteran is taken to be a reference to:

a veteran as defined in subsection 5C(1) of the VEA [99];
a member of the Forces as defined in subsection 68(1) of the VEA [99]; or
a member of a Peacekeeping Force as defined in subsection 68(1) of the VEA [99].

For the purposes of Part VII of the VEA [99], according to subsection 5C(1), veteran means a person (including a deceased person):

who is taken to have rendered eligible war service [17], or
in respect of whom a pension is, or pensions are, payable under subsection 13(6) and
in Part III and Part VIIC of the VEA [99] includes a person who is:

a Commonwealth veteran [17], or
an allied veteran, or
an allied mariner.

Qualifying service is one of the criteria used to determine eligibility for certain benefits under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986. Refer to section 7A of the VEA [99] for the full defintion.

According to section 5H of the VEA [33] income is:

an amount earned, derived or received by a person for the person's own use or benefit;
a periodical payment by way of gift or allowance; or
a periodical benefit by way of gift or allowance.

One element of the means test for income support pensions whereby the rate of pension payable to a pensioner reduces progressively as their assets increase above a certain threshold known as the assets value limit (AVL). [100]

Assessment Process for ISS

Last amended: 22 September 2009

Determining the rate for non-blinded ISS recipients

VEA → [102]

In determining the rate of income support supplement [17] applicable to non-blinded war widow/widower-pensioners [17], two separate tests are applied:

the adjusted income test [17], and
the assets test [17].

How the income and assets tests are applied

For the adjusted income test, the total adjusted income [17] is compared to the ordinary/adjusted income free area [17]. The adjusted income free area for a person who is not a member of a couple [17] differs from that for a person who is a member of a couple [17]. It may also be increased if there are dependent children [17] and the pensioner is on transitional rates.

For the assets test, the value of the person's assets is compared to the assets value limit [17] which varies according to whether the person is a member of a couple and whether the person is a homeowner [17]. The resulting rates are compared to the ceiling rate [17] plus any rent assistance payable. Whichever is the lowest (the income reduced rate if all 3 are the same) is added to any remote area allowance [17] payable. The result is the rate of income support supplement.

More → [103]

Determining the rate for blinded ISS recipients

VEA → [104]

The rate of ISS [17] for blinded [17] ISS recipients is the ceiling rate [17], free of the income and assets tests. However, any rent assistance payable can be reduced by the disability income rent test [17]. Any rent assistance or remote area allowance payable is added to the ceiling rate.

Income support payments received by the partner [17] of a blind pensioner are not exempt from the income and assets tests.

ISS recipients with dependent children or FTB children

Whether an ISS recipient has a dependent child or an FTB child [17] can affect:

More → [105]

rent assistance,
remote area allowance, and
the income free area, if the ISS recipient is assessed under the transitional rules..

Ceiling rate

VEA → [106]

The same ceiling rate applies regardless of whether the ISS recipient is paid under the standard rules [17] or the transitional rules [17][glossary:.:] The ceiling rate may be increased if the war widows pension is compensation reduced. The increased ceiling rate is the sum of the normal ceiling rate and the amount of the reduction in the war widows pension. This increased ceiling rate is used in the overall calculation process to be compared against the income reduced rate and assets reduced rate.

Note: Service pensions payable to war widow/widower-pensioners is subject to the ceiling rate as outlined above.

ISS below ceiling rate

ISS may be paid at less than ceiling rate under the income and assets tests. Any income/asset reduction will be applied to the relevant (transitional or standard) maximum rate. The level of adjusted income at which ISS reduces below the ceiling rate and ceases are different for transitional rules and standard rules because of the different income test taper rates and different maximum rates. Similarly, there are different levels of assets at which ISS reduces and ceases under transitional rules and standard rules because of the different maximum rates.

Overall ISS rate calculation process

VEA → [107]

The following table shows the steps involved in the overall rate calculation for income support supplement for a non blinded person.

Step	Action
1	Determine the person's maximum basic rate [17]. VEA → [108]
1A	Work out the amount of pension supplement. VEA → [109]
2	Determine the amount per year (if any) of rent assistance. More → [110]
3	Add steps 1, 1A, and 2 to obtain the person's maximum payment rate.
4	Apply the adjusted income test [17] to work out any reduction for income [17]. More → [111]
5	Take the reduction for adjusted income [17] (if any) away from the maximum payment rate. The result is called the income reduced rate.
6	Apply the assets test [17] to work out any reduction for assets [17]. More → [112]
7	Take the reduction for assets (if any) away from the maximum payment rate. The result is called the assets reduced rate.
8	Work out the person's ceiling rate [17]. VEA → [113]
9	Add: the ceiling rate (step 8); rent assistance (step 2). The result is called the increased rate.
10	Compare the: income reduced rate (step 5), assets reduced rate (step 7), and increased rate (step 9). The person's provisional payment rate is equal to the lowest of these rates, or the income reduced rate if the three rates are equal.
11	Work out the amount per year (if any) of remote area allowance [17] payable to the person. More → [114]
12	Add any amount obtained in step 11 to the provisional payment rate. The result is the person's rate of income support supplement.

Note: current rates are found in the Reference Library.

More → [115]

ISS and pension supplement

War widow/ers are not paid the pension supplement as a separate payment. Instead, the payments that make up the pension supplement are incorporated into war widow/ers pension and the ISS ceiling rate.

Transitional arrangements – pre 20 September 2009 pensioners

VEA → [116]

Transitional arrangements protect pensioners who were in payment before 20 September 2009 and whose pension would be reduced under the standard rules. The process for the calculation of pension in these cases is:

determine the person's maximum basic rate of service pension in accordance with Schedule 5, Part 5, subclause 32(1), (2) or (3). This is the transitional MBR (which is indexed by CPI only), VEA → [117]
add any amount of rent assistance to the transitional MBR to give the maximum payment rate,
work out the income reduced rate, allowing for additional child income free area (if applicable). There is no work bonus income concession and the 40 cents taper rate applies,
work out the assets reduction amount (using the standard rules in module F) and deduct from the maximum payment rate,
follow the standard steps to determine ceiling rate and increased rate, and
the lowest of the income reduced rate, the assets reduced rate and the increased rate is the provisional payment rate, or the income reduced rate if the three rates are equal.

The provisional payment rate calculated under the transitional arrangements applies until such time as the standard rules provide a higher rate of pension.

ISS Calculation where there are saved children

Where a person has saved children [17], the steps set out in 'overall ISS rate calculation process' are modified, as follows:

More → [118]

the maintenance income test is applied to the maintenance income [17] of the person to work out the reduction for maintenance income, More → [119]
the reduction for maintenance income is then subtracted from the sum of dependent child add-on, guardian allowance [17] (if payable) and rent assistance (if payable). The resulting amount is added to the provisional payment rate (see step 10 of 'overall ISS rate calculation process'),
when calculating any rent assistance payable, the higher rent assistance thresholds and rates of rent assistance payable to pensioners with saved children are to be used. More → [120]

SCH6-A1(6) [121] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [122]

Section 9.1.3 The Income and Assets Tests [25]

Reference Library – Historical Pension Rates

PRH [74]

More → (go back) [123]

SCH6-A1(7) [124] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [125]

Effect of Children on Assessment of Income Support Payments

Section 9.4.3 [126]

More → (go back) [127]

SCH6-A4 [128] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [129]

SCH6-A1(6) [121] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [130]

SCH6-B1 [131] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [132]

SCH6-BA1 [133] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [134]

SCH6-C14A [135] of VEA

Chapter 5.1 Rent Assistance [67]

More → (go back) [136]

Ordinary/Adjusted Income Test

SCH6-E1 [137] of VEA

ISS and the reduction for adjusted income

9.1.3/The Income Test [138]

More → (go back) [139]

9.1.3/The Assets Test [70]

More → (go back) [140]

SCH6-A4 [128] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [141]

Chapter 5.2 Remote Area Allowance [72]

More → (go back) [142]

Reference Library – Pension Rates

PR — C/View [143]

More → (go back) [144]

Schedule 5, Part 5 [76] VEA

VEA → (go back) [145]

Schedule 5, clause 32 [146] VEA

VEA → (go back) [147]

Payments in Respect of Saved Children

Section 9.4.4 [148]

More → (go back) [149]

Chapter 10.6 Maintenance Income [14]

More → (go back) [150]

Reference Library – Pension Rates

PR — C/View [143]

More → (go back) [151]

War widow/widower — pensioner means a person who is receiving a war widow's/widower's pension [17] from the Australian Government.

One element of the means test [17] for income support pensions whereby the rate of pension payable to a pensioner reduces progressively as their income increases above a certain threshold known as the income free area (IFA) [17].

Adjusted income is defined in section 5H VEA and is the sum of the person's:

ordinary income
disability pensions paid by other governments
war widow's/widower's pension [17] (VEA) or equivalent wholly dependent partner payments (MRCA)
a foreign pension, similar in character to a war widow's/widower's pension.

The ordinary/adjusted income free area provides that the pensioner may receive income up to a certain amount without any reduction in their maximum rate of pension.

Any income in excess of the free area will reduce the pension at the rate of 50 cents in the dollar, or 40 cents for those receiving a transitional rate of pension. The amount of ordinary and adjusted income free areas is specified in item 1 in Table E-1 in point SCH6-E6 [38]VEA [38].

Note: War widow's pension [17] is included as income under the adjusted income test. Neither disability pension nor war widow's pension are included as income under the ordinary income test.

The term not a member of a couple covers all persons who are not covered by the definitions of member of a couple [17].

According to Section 5E(2) [38]of the VEA [38]a person is a member of a couple, if they are:

legally married to another person and is not living separately and apart from the other person on a permanent basis; or
living in a prescribed registered relationship with the other person (whether of the same sex or a different sex) and is not living separately and apart from that other person on a permanent basis; or
all of the following conditions are met:

living with another person, whether of the same sex or a different sex;
not legally married to that person;
in a de facto relationship with that person; and
not in a prohibited relationship

The term “partnered” is also commonly used.

Section 5F(1) of the VEA defines dependent child as having the same meaning as in the Social Security Act 1991. For income support purposes, dependent child is defined as:

Child under 16 years

the pensioner has legal responsibility either alone or jointly with another person for the day to day care, welfare and development of the young person AND the young person is in the pensioner's care, or
the young person is not a dependent child of someone else AND the young person is wholly or substantially in the pensioner's care.

A child under 16 years cannot be considered a dependent child if:

they are not a full-time student, and
their weekly income from any source is more than the amount specified in section 5(3)(c) of the Social Security Act.

Child 16 years or older

A young person who has turned 16 years but is under 22 years can still be a dependent child of the pensioner if:

they are wholly or substantially dependent on the pensioner, and
their income in the financial year will not exceed the personal income limit, and
they are receiving full-time education at a school, college or university.

A child over 16 years cannot be considered a dependent child if:

they receive a social security pension or benefit such as youth allowance, or
their personal income is more than the amount specified in section 5(4)(b) of the Social Security Act.

Income includes earning from casual, part-time or full-time earnings.

SSA → [34]

Social Security Act 1991 [35]

SSA → (go back) [36]

Note: the meaning of a dependent child for DVA income support pension purposes is not the same as the meaning for Family Tax Benefit purposes.

Assets value limit is the maximum value of assets a person can have without affecting the person's pension rate. The assets value limit is worked out in accordance with SCH6-F3 of the VEA [38].

A person is a homeowner if they have a right or interest, which gives reasonable security of tenure in the principal home.

Refer to sections 52Q and 52R of VEA for the definition when determining if a person is a considered to be a homeowner when living in a special residence.

A person is also considered to be a homeowner if they have sold their home in the previous 12 months and intend to use part or all of the proceeds to purchase another home.

The ceiling rate of service pension and income support supplement (ISS) is applied to all war widows/widowers when assessing the rate of pension. This amount was previously frozen at $124.90 per fortnight, however, since legislation was introduced in September 2002, is now indexed twice yearly in line with percentage increases in the maximum rate service pension. A higher ceiling rate can apply, however, in the following cases:

If a person:

became a war widow/widower-pensioner before 1 November 1986,
has continually received service pension, social security pension or ISS since that date, and
the rate of pension immediately before that date was more than $120.10

in such a case the ceiling rate is equal to the pre-November 1986 rate plus 4%.

If a person:

is a person to whom ISS is payable,
is not permanently blind, and
whose Part II or IV pension is [glossary:compensation reduced:DEF/Compensation reduced pension],

the ceiling rate is the sum of the ceiling rate as calculated above and the amount of the reduction in the Part II or Part IV pension. The maximum ceiling rate cannot exceed the maximum rate of single service pension. For ceiling rates refer to SCH6-A4 to A9 of VEA. The amount of increase to the ceiling rate pension under Part II or Part IV is worked out by using the formula in SCH6-A9 of the VEA.

A person may be regarded as permanently blind in both eyes where:

there is a total loss of sight; or
visual acuity after correction with suitable lenses is less than 6/60 in both eyes on the Snellen Scale; or
where, in the written opinion of an ophthalmologist, the visual field deficits and/or combination of deficits results in a visual impairment which is the equivalent of a corrected visual acuity measure of less than 6/60 in both eyes.

The Commission Guideline CM5829: Determining 'permanently blind', 'no useful sight' and 'blinded in both eyes' [37]may be instructive in making a blinded/blindness determination.

If a person:

became a war widow/widower-pensioner before 1 November 1986,
has continually received service pension, social security pension or ISS since that date, and
the rate of pension immediately before that date was more than $120.10

in such a case the ceiling rate is equal to the pre-November 1986 rate plus 4%.

If a person:

is a person to whom ISS is payable,
is not permanently blind, and
whose Part II or IV pension is [glossary:compensation reduced:DEF/Compensation reduced pension],

The disability income rent test is the method of calculating the amount by which a pensioner's rent assistance is reduced because of the disability income [17] paid to them or their patner [17]. The amount calculated is the RA reduction amount.

RA reduction amount = disability income [17] – rent assistance free area [17]X taper rate [17]

Note: The rent assistance free area and taper rate are identical to those that normally apply to the person's [glossary:income support payment:DEF/Income support payment] and family situation.

A person's 'partner' is someone who is a member of a couple with that person.

FTB child has the same definition as given in section 22 and 22A of the Family Assistance Act (i.e. A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999).

For more information, see also 9.4.3/Effect of Children on Remote Area Allowance (RAA) CS Policy Library [152].

Rules introduced as part of the Secure and Sustainable Pension Reforms that came into effect on 20 September 2009. For income and assets test purposes the changes include:

an increase to the income test taper rate from 40 cents to 50 cents in the dollar,
the abolition of the additional child income free area,
the introduction of a fortnightly pension supplement to replace telephone allowance, utilities allowance, pharmaceutical allowance and the GST supplement, and
the introduction of a work bonus, whereby only 50% of the first $500 per fortnight of employment earnings is assessable for eligible pensioners.

Pensioners and ISS recipients who were in receipt of pension on or before 19 September 2009 are eligible to be assessed under transitional rules, if:

transitional rules will result in a higher rate of pension, and
they have never been assessed under the new rules.

The requirement that the pensioner has never been assessed under the new rules, does not arise where the pensioner's entitlement is re-determined from a date prior to 20 September 2009. Where new pension information is received and is effective prior to this date, the pensioner's right to receive the transitional rate is considered anew.

Once a pensioner or ISS recipient has been assessed under the new rules they cannot revert to transitional rules. There is one exception to this, to cover respite care changes to pensioners who return to live as a couple again.

Recipients assessed under transitional rules:

have their payment calculated using the transitional maximum basic rate [17],
have a taper rate of 40 cents in the dollar for the income test [17], and
can still receive the additional income free area for children.

According to Schedule 6-B1 of the VEA [38] a MBR is the person's maximum rate is ascertained at the date of grant of the designated pension, and is the maximum annual pension rate payable at the date of grant (excluding allowances).

According to section 5H of the VEA [33] income is:

an amount earned, derived or received by a person for the person's own use or benefit;
a periodical payment by way of gift or allowance; or
a periodical benefit by way of gift or allowance.

Adjusted income is defined in section 5H VEA and is the sum of the person's:

ordinary income
disability pensions paid by other governments
war widow's/widower's pension [17] (VEA) or equivalent wholly dependent partner payments (MRCA)
a foreign pension, similar in character to a war widow's/widower's pension.

An asset means any property, including property outside Australia.

If a person:

became a war widow/widower-pensioner before 1 November 1986,
has continually received service pension, social security pension or ISS since that date, and
the rate of pension immediately before that date was more than $120.10

in such a case the ceiling rate is equal to the pre-November 1986 rate plus 4%.

If a person:

is a person to whom ISS is payable,
is not permanently blind, and
whose Part II or IV pension is [glossary:compensation reduced:DEF/Compensation reduced pension],

According to subsection 5K(1) of the VEA [38], maintenance income in relation to a person, means:

child maintenance — that is, the amount of a payment or the value of a benefit that is received by the person for the maintenance of a maintained child of the person and is received from:

a parent of the child, or
the partner or former partner of a parent of the child, or

partner maintenance — that is, the amount of a payment or the value of a benefit that is received by the person for the person's own maintenance and is received from the person's partner or former partner, or
direct child maintenance — that is, the amount of a payment or the value of a benefit that is received by a maintained child of the person for the child's own maintenance and is received from:

a parent of the child, or
the partner or former partner of a parent of the child,

but does not include disability expenses maintenance.

9.1.3 The Income and Assets Tests

This section contains information on the income test and the assets test. A person's income and assets affect the amount of:

service pension or income support supplement if the person is not blind; and
rent assistance for a service pensioner who is not a war widow/widower-pensioner and who is blind.

The Income and Assets Test - General Provisions

Date published

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Last amended: 30 September 2008

Calculating a person's rate of service pension or ISS

In calculating a person's rate of service pension [17] or income support supplement ISS [17], the ordinary/adjusted income test [17] and assets tests [17] are applied as follows:

More ? [155]

In determining the rate of	for a person who is	the ordinary/adjusted income and assets tests
service pension	not permanently blind [17] and not a war widow/widower-pensioner [17]	are applied and the test resulting in the lower rate is used in the pension rate calculation. If both test results are the same, the income reduced rate [17] is used.
	permanently blind and not a war widow/widower pensioner	are applied only in calculating the rate of rent assistance [17] payable. The rate of service pension payable is the higher of the notional income/assets tested rate compared to the non-income/assets tested rate. Rent assistance is not included in the calculation of the non-income/assets tested rate.
	not permanently blind and a war widow/widower pensioner	are applied and the resulting income and assets tested rates plus any remote area allowance payable are compared to the sum of the ceiling rate [17] and any remote area allowance [17] and rent assistance payable. The rate of pension is the lower of the two amounts.
	permanently blind and a war widow/widower pensioner	are not applied. The rate of pension is automatically the ceiling rate plus any rent assistance and remote area allowance payable.
income support supplement	not permanently blind	are applied and the resulting income and assets tested rates are compared to the ceiling rate plus any rent assistance payable. The lowest rate is the income support supplement rate. If all three rates are the same, the income reduced rate is used. Any remote area allowance payable is then added.
	permanently blind	are not applied. The rate of pension is automatically the ceiling rate plus any rent assistance and remote area allowance payable.

Income and assets of a member of a couple

VEA ? [156]

For the purpose of the income and assets test, if two people are members of a couple [17], they are treated as pooling their income and assets and sharing those resources equally.

Blinded pensioners and income and assets test

VEA ? [157]

The income and assets of a blind [17] service pensioner or ISS recipient will not affect the rate of pension payable to the blind person. However, rent assistance is not payable to blind service pensioners/ISS recipients unless the blind person would be better off to be treated as a non-blind person and be subject to the income and assets tests.

In order to determine the most appropriate rate of payment for a blind pensioner who is renting, the payment should be calculated without subjecting it to the income and assets tests. It should also be calculated using the income and assets tests, but including any rent assistance that may be payable (as for a non-blind pensioner). The higher of these rates is the rate payable to the blind pensioner. Service pension or ISS payable to the partner [17] of a blind person will still be subject to the income and assets tests.

Section 9.1.2 The Assessment Process [23]

Section 9.1.3 The Income and Assets Tests [25]

More ? (go back) [158]

SCH6-A2 [159] of VEA

VEA ? (go back) [160]

SCH6-A3 [159] of VEA

VEA ? (go back) [161]

A person may be regarded as permanently blind in both eyes where:

there is a total loss of sight; or
visual acuity after correction with suitable lenses is less than 6/60 in both eyes on the Snellen Scale; or
where, in the written opinion of an ophthalmologist, the visual field deficits and/or combination of deficits results in a visual impairment which is the equivalent of a corrected visual acuity measure of less than 6/60 in both eyes.

The Commission Guideline CM5829: Determining 'permanently blind', 'no useful sight' and 'blinded in both eyes' [37]may be instructive in making a blinded/blindness determination.

War widow/widower — pensioner means a person who is receiving a war widow's/widower's pension [17] from the Australian Government.

Income reduced rate is the amount calculated when the reduction for ordinary/adjusted income [17] is subtracted from the maximum payment rate. See SCH6-A1(2) of VEA [99] (Method Statement 1 Step 6) and SCH6-A1(6) of VEA [99] (Method Statement 5 Step 6).

Rent Assistance is an allowance, which may be paid to a service pensioner or income support supplement (ISS) recipient to assist in meeting the cost of rental accommodation.

To receive rent assistance, a pensioner must be paying rent (other than Government rent) for accommodation in Australia, and the amount paid must exceed a certain threshold.

If a person:

became a war widow/widower-pensioner before 1 November 1986,
has continually received service pension, social security pension or ISS since that date, and
the rate of pension immediately before that date was more than $120.10

in such a case the ceiling rate is equal to the pre-November 1986 rate plus 4%.

If a person:

is a person to whom ISS is payable,
is not permanently blind, and
whose Part II or IV pension is [glossary:compensation reduced:DEF/Compensation reduced pension],

According to Section 5E(2) [38]of the VEA [38]a person is a member of a couple, if they are:

legally married to another person and is not living separately and apart from the other person on a permanent basis; or
living in a prescribed registered relationship with the other person (whether of the same sex or a different sex) and is not living separately and apart from that other person on a permanent basis; or
all of the following conditions are met:

living with another person, whether of the same sex or a different sex;
not legally married to that person;
in a de facto relationship with that person; and
not in a prohibited relationship

The term “partnered” is also commonly used.

The Income Test

Last amended

Monday, July 1, 2019

Income for the income test

In applying the income test, a person's gross ordinary/adjusted income whether from within or outside Australia, less any permissible reductions in respect of business income, is taken into account. If the person is a member of a couple, half of the combined income of the couple is taken into account, regardless of which member of the couple actually receives the income.

More → [163]

Work bonus income and the income test

Where a person who receives service pension or income support supplement has reached qualifying age [17] and they receive employment income [17] arising from remunerative work undertaken as an employee in an employer/employee relationship, an income test concession (known as the Work Bonus [17] applies.

The concession also applies to self-employment and business income generated from gainful work. Gainful work is work that involves personal exertion (active participation).

Work bonus

Under the work bonus income test concession, the first $300 per fortnight of the person's fortnightly work bonus income [164] is excluded from the income test. Pensioners assessed under the transitional rules [17] will not be eligible for the work bonus.

Note: The $300 per fortnight income concession amount is not subject to indexation.

More → [165]

Work bonus bank

Where a person's fortnightly work bonus income [164]is less than $300 per fortnight, the person will accrue the unused amount of the $300 per fortnight income concession to a work bonus bank to offset their employment income in the future. The bank will continue to accrue until it reaches a maximum amount of $7,800 (equal to 26 fortnights).

More → [166]

Income test and the rate of service pension for non-war widow/widower-pensioners

VEA → [167]

If the pensioner has ordinary income up to the ordinary/adjusted income free area, the rate of their pension is the maximum payment rate. This assumes there are no other factors affecting overall payability, such as the assets test or compensation recovery. If the ordinary income is over the income free area, the pension rate is reduced. The income free area for a person who is not a member of a couple differ from that for a person who is a member of a couple. The income free area can also be increased for certain dependent children of the pensioner if the person is paid under the transitional rules [17].

More → [168]

Income test and the rate of ISS or service pension for war widow/widower-pensioners

With only one exception, the maximum possible rate of ISS or service pension for a war widow/widower-pensioner is the ceiling rate (plus any rent assistance and remote area allowance payable). The exception applies to an ISS recipient with saved children. In such a case dependent child add-on [17], and guardian allowance [17] may be added to the ceiling rate.

If the person's income reduced rate is lower than both the assets reduced rate and the ceiling rate, the rate of the person's ISS or service pension will be the income reduced rate plus any rent assistance and remote area allowance payable.

No pension is payable if income is above the limit at which service pension/ISS ceases.

More → [169]

Service pension and the reduction for ordinary income

VEA → [170]

Any ordinary income of the person or the person's partner, in excess of the ordinary/adjusted income free area [17], will reduce the maximum payment rate of service pension by 50 cents in the dollar. The result is the income reduced rate.

More → [171]

ISS and the reduction for adjusted income

Any adjusted income [17] of the person or the person's partner, in excess of the ordinary/adjusted income free area [17] will reduce the maximum payment rate by 50 cents in the dollar. The result is the income reduced rate.

More → [172]

Transitional rules

Pensioners and ISS recipients who were in receipt of pension on or before 19 September 2009 are eligible to be assessed under transitional rules [17], if:

transitional rules will result in a higher rate of pension;
they have never been assessed under the standard rules; and
they have been in continuous receipt of service pension, ISS or a social security pension since 20 September 2009.

Once a pensioner or ISS recipient has been assessed under the standard rules [17] they cannot revert to transitional rules. There is an exception to this to cover changes to pension as a result of entering respite care.

More → [173]

Recipients assessed under transitional rules:

have their payment calculated using the transitional maximum basic rate (MBR),
have a taper rate of 40 cents in the dollar for the income test,
can still receive the additional income free area for children, and
do not receive the Work Bonus [17].

Chapter 10.1 Ordinary Income [9]

Chapter 10.3 Business Structures and Trusts [11]

More → (go back) [174]

10.1.8/Work Bonus [175]

More → (go back) [176]

10.1.8/Work Bonus Bank [177]

More → (go back) [178]

Ordinary/adjusted income free area

SCH6-E6 [179] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [180]

Chapter 9.4 Children [5]

Reference Library – Historical Pension Rates

PR — H [74]

More → (go back) [181]

9.1.2/Assessment Process for Service Pension Payable to War Widow/Widower-Pensioners [182]

9.1.2/Assessment Process for ISS [183]

Reference Library – Historical Pension Rates

PR — H [74]

More → (go back) [184]

SCH6-E1 [137] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [185]

Assessment process for service pension

Section 9.1.2 [23]

More → (go back) [186]

9.1.2/Assessment Process for ISS [183]

More → (go back) [187]

9.2.4/Respite care [27]

More → (go back) [188]

Qualifying age is defined in section 5Q(1) of the [38]VEA [38]and is equivalent to the pension age for a veteran which is described in section 5QA VEA as:

60 years for a male,
for females subject to age equalisation (refer to the table in section 5QA VEA).

For work bonus purposes, employment income is ordinary income that is earned, derived or received from remunerative work undertaken by a person in an employer/employee relationship. It includes salary, wages, commissions and employment related fringe benefits, but does not include business income.

The following payments are excluded from the definition of employment income:

superannuation payments,
payments of compensation or payments under an insurance scheme relating to a person's inability to earn, derive or receive employment from remunerative work,
termination payments,
comparable foreign pension payments, and
leave payments to persons no longer involved in remunerative work.

The work bonus exempts the first $300 per fortnight of work bonus income [189] for eligible people over pension age [17] or qualifying age [17].

Pensioners and ISS recipients who were in receipt of pension on or before 19 September 2009 are eligible to be assessed under transitional rules, if:

transitional rules will result in a higher rate of pension, and
they have never been assessed under the new rules.

Recipients assessed under transitional rules:

have their payment calculated using the transitional maximum basic rate [17],
have a taper rate of 40 cents in the dollar for the income test [17], and
can still receive the additional income free area for children.

Pensioners and ISS recipients who were in receipt of pension on or before 19 September 2009 are eligible to be assessed under transitional rules, if:

transitional rules will result in a higher rate of pension, and
they have never been assessed under the new rules.

Recipients assessed under transitional rules:

have their payment calculated using the transitional maximum basic rate [17],
have a taper rate of 40 cents in the dollar for the income test [17], and
can still receive the additional income free area for children.

Dependent child add-on is an amount which is included in a person's service pension or ISS [17] where that person has saved children [17].

The ordinary/adjusted income free area provides that the pensioner may receive income up to a certain amount without any reduction in their maximum rate of pension.

Note: War widow's pension [17] is included as income under the adjusted income test. Neither disability pension nor war widow's pension are included as income under the ordinary income test.

Adjusted income is defined in section 5H VEA and is the sum of the person's:

ordinary income
disability pensions paid by other governments
war widow's/widower's pension [17] (VEA) or equivalent wholly dependent partner payments (MRCA)
a foreign pension, similar in character to a war widow's/widower's pension.

The ordinary/adjusted income free area provides that the pensioner may receive income up to a certain amount without any reduction in their maximum rate of pension.

Note: War widow's pension [17] is included as income under the adjusted income test. Neither disability pension nor war widow's pension are included as income under the ordinary income test.

Pensioners and ISS recipients who were in receipt of pension on or before 19 September 2009 are eligible to be assessed under transitional rules, if:

transitional rules will result in a higher rate of pension, and
they have never been assessed under the new rules.

Recipients assessed under transitional rules:

have their payment calculated using the transitional maximum basic rate [17],
have a taper rate of 40 cents in the dollar for the income test [17], and
can still receive the additional income free area for children.

Rules introduced as part of the Secure and Sustainable Pension Reforms that came into effect on 20 September 2009. For income and assets test purposes the changes include:

an increase to the income test taper rate from 40 cents to 50 cents in the dollar,
the abolition of the additional child income free area,
the introduction of a fortnightly pension supplement to replace telephone allowance, utilities allowance, pharmaceutical allowance and the GST supplement, and
the introduction of a work bonus, whereby only 50% of the first $500 per fortnight of employment earnings is assessable for eligible pensioners.

The work bonus exempts the first $300 per fortnight of work bonus income [189] for eligible people over pension age [17] or qualifying age [17].

The Assets Test

Last amended: 22 September 2009

Application of the assets test

VEA → [191]

Service pension or income support supplement (ISS) will be assets tested when the:

value of assessable assets exceeds the relevant assets value limit [17], and
the rate of service pension [17], assessed under the assets test, for a person who is not a war widow/widower-pensioner, is lower than the one determined under the income test [17], or
the rate of ISS [17] or service pension calculated under the assets test [17] for a war widow/widower-pensioner is lower than both the rate determined under the income test [17] and the ceiling rate [17]. More → [192]

Assessment under transitional rules

The same asset value limits and asset test reduction rates apply to all income support recipients regardless of whether they are paid under the transitional rules [17], or the standard rules [17][glossary:.:] However, as recipients are being reduced from different maximum rates, there are differences in the asset levels at which payment ceases.

Calculating pension rate for a non- war widow/widower-pensioner

VEA → [193]

A person who is not a war widow/widower-pensioner can have assets up to and including the assets value limit and still receive the maximum rate of service pension, provided that their income does not exceed the income free area [17]. If the assets value exceeds the assets value limit, the maximum payment rate is reduced by 75 cents for every $250 over the limit. The result is the assets reduced rate. This rate is then compared to the income reduced rate and the lower rate, plus any remote area allowance payable, is the rate of service pension.

Calculating pension rate for a war widow/widower-pensioner

With two exceptions, the maximum possible rate of ISS or service pension for a war widow/widower-pensioner is the ceiling rate (plus any rent assistance and remote area allowance payable). The exceptions are an ISS recipient with saved children where dependent child add-on [17] and guardian allowance [17] may be added to the ceiling rate, or a war widow/widower whose war widow/widower's pension is compensation reduced.

In calculating the rate of ISS or service pension for a war widow/widower-pensioner, if the assets value exceeds the assets value limit, the assets reduced rate is calculated by subtracting 75 cents for every $250 over the limit from the maximum payment rate. The assets reduced rate is then compared to both the income reduced rate and the ceiling rate. The lower of the three rates, plus any rent assistance and remote area allowance payable is the rate of the person's ISS or service pension.

No pension is payable if assets are above the limit at which service pension/ISS ceases.

More → [194]

Treatment of assets of a couple

VEA → [195]

If two people are partnered [17], they are treated as pooling their assets and sharing those assets equally. The assets value limit (AVL) of each member of a couple is also lower than the limit for a person who is not a member of a couple.

More → [196]

Higher assets limit for non-property owners

VEA → [197]

A person's assets value limit is also affected by whether they are considered to be a property owner [17]. A person or couple who are property owners have a lower assets value limit than a person or couple who are not property owners.

More → [198]

SCH6-F1 [199] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [200]

Chapter 10.2 Assets [10]

Chapter 10.3 Business Structures and Trusts [11]

More → (go back) [201]

SCH6-F1 [199] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [202]

Reference Library – Historical Pension Rates

PRH [74]

More → (go back) [203]

SCH6-F2 [204] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [205]

Reference Library – Historical Pension Rates

PRH [74]

More → (go back) [206]

SCH6-F3 [207] of VEA

VEA → (go back) [208]

Section 9.2.2 Basic Principles of Assessment [209]

More → (go back) [210]

Assets value limit is the maximum value of assets a person can have without affecting the person's pension rate. The assets value limit is worked out in accordance with SCH6-F3 of the VEA [38].

If a person:

became a war widow/widower-pensioner before 1 November 1986,
has continually received service pension, social security pension or ISS since that date, and
the rate of pension immediately before that date was more than $120.10

in such a case the ceiling rate is equal to the pre-November 1986 rate plus 4%.

If a person:

is a person to whom ISS is payable,
is not permanently blind, and
whose Part II or IV pension is [glossary:compensation reduced:DEF/Compensation reduced pension],

Pensioners and ISS recipients who were in receipt of pension on or before 19 September 2009 are eligible to be assessed under transitional rules, if:

transitional rules will result in a higher rate of pension, and
they have never been assessed under the new rules.

Recipients assessed under transitional rules:

have their payment calculated using the transitional maximum basic rate [17],
have a taper rate of 40 cents in the dollar for the income test [17], and
can still receive the additional income free area for children.

Rules introduced as part of the Secure and Sustainable Pension Reforms that came into effect on 20 September 2009. For income and assets test purposes the changes include:

an increase to the income test taper rate from 40 cents to 50 cents in the dollar,
the abolition of the additional child income free area,
the introduction of a fortnightly pension supplement to replace telephone allowance, utilities allowance, pharmaceutical allowance and the GST supplement, and
the introduction of a work bonus, whereby only 50% of the first $500 per fortnight of employment earnings is assessable for eligible pensioners.

The income free area is the amount of income that an income support pensioner may receive without suffering any reduction in pension under the income test.

Dependent child add-on is an amount which is included in a person's service pension or ISS [17] where that person has saved children [17].

According to Section 5E(2) [38]of the VEA [38]a person is a member of a couple, if they are:

legally married to another person and is not living separately and apart from the other person on a permanent basis; or
living in a prescribed registered relationship with the other person (whether of the same sex or a different sex) and is not living separately and apart from that other person on a permanent basis; or
all of the following conditions are met:

living with another person, whether of the same sex or a different sex;
not legally married to that person;
in a de facto relationship with that person; and
not in a prohibited relationship

The term “partnered” is also commonly used.

Property owner is defined in subsection 5L(4) of the VEA [99].

9.1.4 Application of the Assessed Rate of Pension

This section contains information on adjustments, reductions and increases that can be made to the assessed rate of service pension and income support supplement and on deductions which can be made from pension payments.

Adjustments to an Assessed Rate

Last amended: 5 March 2013

Converting an annual rate to a daily rate

VEA ? [215]

The rate of income support pension is calculated on an annual basis and then converted to a daily rate by dividing the annual rate by 364. The pension is then paid fortnightly.

More ? [216]

Rounding of fortnightly instalment

VEA ? [217]

Prior to 12 May 1983, fortnightly instalments of service pension [17] and income support supplement [17] were rounded to the nearest cent. From 12 May 1983 until 19 September 2001, fortnightly instalments of service pension and income support supplement were rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 10 cents. If an amount was a multiple of 5 cents but not a multiple of 10 cents, the amount was rounded up by 5 cents. Since 20 September 2001, instalments of service pension and ISS have been rounded up or down to the nearest whole cent. Where the remainder is half a cent, the amount is increased to the next cent.

Examples of rounding from 20 September 2001

The following table provides examples of how rounding up and down has been applied to DVA payments since 20 September 2001

Example	Unrounded fortnightly payment	Amount payable per fortnight
1	$295.633	$295.63
2	$295.635	$295.64
3	$295.636	$295.64

Minimum pension payment

From 20 March 2013, the minimum amount of pension that is payable is the minimum pension supplement amount [17] and the clean energy supplement [17]. These amounts may be paid at the single rate, or member of a couple rate, as per the person's status in the assessment of their pension. The minimum pension supplement amount is a component that must be paid in full, or not at all. Thus, the minimum amount will be paid even if the person's assessed pension rate reduces to below this level but is greater than nil. This minimum amount will be lost only when the assessed pension rate under the income and assets test is nil.

More ? [218]

Note: This rule does not apply to overseas residents or pensioners away from Australia on a temporary basis for longer than 6 weeks, as they are not eligible for the minimum pension supplement amount or the clean energy supplement.

Rate adjustment for small amounts

VEA ? [219]

No variation in the fortnightly rate of pension is made if the variation would be less than $1. Not determining pension variations of less than $1 is intended to reduce the level of intrusion into the private lives of veterans, and to eliminate unnecessary pension administration where changes to payability are minimal. However, the $1 minimum rule does not automatically apply in all pension variation cases, as this may breach other assessment requirements provided for by the VEA.

Circumstances when the $1 minimum rule is applied

VEA ? [220]

The $1 minimum rule should be applied to –

determined increases and reductions under sections 56C and 56D,
automatic termination/rate reductions under sections 56, 56A and 56B, and
changes by computer under section 56N.

Circumstances when the $1 minimum rule is not applied

The $1 minimum rule should not be applied when:–

there are changes to individual components (e.g. as rent assistance) included in the service pension or income support supplement, which are then offset against other payability changes resulting in an overall change of less than $1. (The different taxation treatment of the individual components will not be properly determined if the $1 minimum rule is used in these cases), e.g. when service pension increases by $3.70 and rent assistance is reduced by $3.20 the over all increase is $0.50. Although the pension change is less than $1, the variation will need to be determined because the taxable/non-taxable composition of the payment has changed,
the pension increase arises through indexation, or
the pensioner would otherwise be denied a benefit such as a maximum rate of pension, or treatment entitlement.

Section 58A(4) [159] VEA

VEA ? (go back) [221]

Section 11.1.2 Pension Periods and Paydays [222]

More ? (go back) [223]

Rounding Pension Instalments

Section 58A(4) [159] VEA

Section 58A(5) [159] VEA

VEA ? (go back) [224]

Section 5.12.3 Payability of Pension Supplement [225]

Section 7.4.2 Clean Energy Supplement [226]

More ? (go back) [227]

Section 56DA [159] VEA

VEA ? (go back) [228]

Section 58A(9) [159] VEA

VEA ? (go back) [229]

The minimum pension supplement is an annual rate and is paid fortnightly. From 1 July 2010, the minimum pension supplement will become more flexible, with recipients able to elect to receive the payment quarterly. It is calculated as a combined couple rate and is indexed twice a year in line with CPI increases. The 'not a member of a couple' rate is 66.33% of the combined couple rate. The member of a couple rate is 50% of the combined couple rate. The minimum pension supplement commenced on 20 September 2009 and replaced utilities allowance and telephone allowance.

The energy supplement is a fortnightly or quarterly payment designed to help recipients meet the cost of electricity and gas bills.

Reductions or Increases in Rate of Service Pension or ISS

Last amended

Monday, July 1, 2019

Issues affecting calculation of the rate of service pension or ISS

The calculation of a person's rate of service pension or ISS can be affected by:

application of the financial hardship rules,
participation in the pension loans scheme,
receipt of periodic compensation payments, and
receipt of Payments under the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme

Application of the financial hardship rules

VEA ? [231]

If a person's assets reduced rate is less than the person's income reduced rate and the person has an unrealisable asset [17], the financial hardship rules may apply and the pension rate may be increased accordingly.

More ? [232]

Participation in the pension loans scheme

VEA ? [233]

A person may be able to receive an increase in their rate of pension or ISS in the form of a loan under the pension loans scheme (PLS). The PLS is available to any person receiving either pension or ISS, whether at the maximum rate or at a reduced rate, and to any person who is eligible for either pension or ISS but whose rate of payment is nil due to means testing

More ? [234]

Receipt of periodic compensation payments

VEA ? [235]

If a person (or their partner):

receives periodic compensation payments,
is eligible for a compensation affected pension [17] for the periodic payments period [17], and
was not at the time of the event that gave rise to the entitlement to compensation receiving that pension,

the person's pension, or the compensation affected component [17] of that pension (as the case may be) is to be reduced for the periodic payments period. The result is the compensation reduced rate of pension or ISS.

The amount by which the pension is reduced depends on whether the person is a member of a couple, and if they are a member of a couple, whether their partner is eligible for a compensation affected pension or qualified for a compensation affected payment under the Social Security Act.

More ? [236]

Receipt of payments under the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme

VEA ? [237]

Receipt of a payment under the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme causes a 'dollar for dollar' reduction in the rate of pension. If, however, a person's pension and that of their partner are both to be reduced because of the payment, the reduction for each person is 50% of the payment. This effect is limited to a maximum of twelve months that amounts are payable under the scheme.

More ? [238]

Section 52Y [159] VEA

Section 52Z [159] VEA

VEA ? (go back) [239]

Chapter 3.10 Financial Hardship [240]

More ? (go back) [241]

Section 52ZAAA [159] VEA through to 52ZM VEA

VEA ? (go back) [242]

Chapter 5.4 Pension Loans Scheme [243]

More ? (go back) [244]

Section 59T [159] VEA

VEA ? (go back) [245]

Chapter 9.11 Compensation Recovery [246]

More ? (go back) [247]

Section 50B(1) [159] VEA

VEA ? (go back) [248]

Chapter 10.1 Ordinary Income [9]

More ? (go back) [249]

An asset of a person is an unrealisable asset if:

the person cannot sell or realise the asset and cannot use the asset as a security for borrowing, or
the person could not reasonably be expected to sell or realise the asset and could not reasonably be expected to use the asset as a security for borrowing.

compensation affected pension means:

(a)an invalidity service pension payable to a person who has not reached pension age; or
(b)a partner service pension payable to a person who has not reached pension age; or
(c)income support supplement payable to a person who has not reached qualifying age; or
(d)a veteran payment payable to a person who has not reached pension age (within the meaning of subsections 5QB(2), (3), (4) and (5)); or
(e)an education entry payment payable to a person who:

(i)is receiving invalidity service pension or partner service pension; or
(ii)is receiving income support supplement and has not reached qualifying age.

Note 1: For pension age see sections 5QA and 5QB.
Note 2: For qualifying age see section 5Q.

Periodic payments period means:

in relation to a series of periodic payments - the period in respect of which the payments are, or are to be, made, and
in relation to a payment of arrears of a series of periodic payments - the period in respect of which those periodic payments would have been made if they had not been made by way of an arrears payment.

Under subsection 5NB(1) of the VEA as in force on 9 July 1996, compensation affected component' in relation to an amount of a compensation affected pension [17] that has a dependent child component [17], means that part of the amount of pension that is not the dependent child component.

Deductions from Pension Payments

Last amended: 22 September 2009

Reduction of the pension payable

The amount of pension payable on a pension payday can be reduced because of:

advance payment of pension, or
recovery of overpayment or debt.

Advance payment deductions

VEA ? [251]

Income support pensioners can be paid an advance payment of an amount of their pension. The advance payment is to be repaid by fortnightly deductions from ongoing pension payments over the maximum period of six months.

More ? [252]

Deductions from pension because of overpayment or debt

VEA ? [253]

Where there has been an overpayment or a debt incurred:

a deduction may be made from a person's pension, or
if a pensioner is willing to have a limitation imposed on their pension to recover a third party's debt and consent is given in writing, deductions can be made from their pension. More ? [254]

Section 79B [159] VEA

Section 79K [159] VEA

VEA ? (go back) [255]

Lump sum pension advance scheme

Chapter 3.11 Advances [256]

More ? (go back) [257]

Section 205 [159] VEA through to 205AA

VEA ? (go back) [258]

Chapter 12.6 Overpayments [259]

More ? (go back) [260]

9.1.5 Order of Reduction

Last amended: 5 March 2013

Order of reduction for service pension

VEA → [262]

To ensure that the non-taxable allowances associated with service pension [17] are reduced last, when the rate of pension is to be reduced under the income [17] or assets tests [17] or the maintenance income test [17]

reductions to service pension occur in the following order:

the maximum payment rate, excluding pension supplement, energy supplement [17], rent assistance and any additional amounts for saved children,
the pension supplement basic amount [17],
any remaining portion of the pension supplement amount that exceeds the minimum pension supplement amount [17]
rent assistance [17] (if any),
additional amounts for saved children [17] (if any),
the energy supplement [17], then
the minimum pension supplement amount [17].

The minimum amount payable is the minimum pension supplement and the clean energy supplement.

Order of reduction for ISS

VEA → [263]

Pension rate reductions for an ISS [17] recipient under the adjusted income test [17] or the assets test [17] occur in the following order:

the maximum payment rate apart from rent assistance and the minimum pension supplement amount [17], then
rent assistance [17] (if any), then
minimum pension supplement amount [17].

For ISS purposes, any saved child [17] related payment is paid in addition to the provisional rate of ISS [17] resulting from the adjusted income test [17] or the assets test. These payments are therefore not included in the order of reduction.

ISS cannot be reduced for blinded pensioners. However, rent assistance is subject to rate reductions.

Reduction under compensation recovery provisions - service pension, no saved children

When a service pensioner without saved children:

receives additional amounts for rent assistance and
the pension is to be reduced because of the receipt of periodic compensation payments,

the reduction occurs in the following order:

that part of the pension that does not include rent assistance, pension supplement [17] and energy supplement then
the pension supplement basic amount [17], then
any remaining portion of the pension supplement that exceeds the minimum pension supplement amount, then
rent assistance [17] (if any),
the energy supplement [17], then
the minimum pension supplement amount [17].

Reduction under compensation recovery provisions - ISS, no saved children

When an ISS recipient without saved children [17]:

receives additional amounts for rent assistance, and
the ISS is to be reduced because of the receipt of periodic compensation payments,

the reduction occurs in the following order:

ISS apart from rent assistance and minimum pension supplement amount [17], then
rent assistance [17] (if any), then
the minimum pension supplement amount [17].

Reduction under compensation recovery provisions - service pension, saved children

When a service pensioner with saved children [17] has the compensation affected component of the pension reduced because of the receipt of periodic compensation payments:

the reduction occurs in the following order:

that part of the compensation affected component of the pension that does not include the minimum pension supplement amount,
the energy supplement [17], then
the minimum pension supplement amount [17].

Allowances excluded from order of reduction for service pension and ISS

Remote area allowance [17] is not included in the order of reduction, as its payability depends on the payability of service pension or ISS. If service pension or ISS is reduced to nil, then remote area allowance is automatically cancelled..

More → [264]

Schedule 6, Part 1 [265] VEA to Schedule 6, Part 2 [266] VEA

VEA → (go back) [267]

Schedule 6, Part 1 [265] VEA to Schedule 6, Part 2 [266] VEA

VEA → (go back) [268]

Chapter 5.2 Remote Area Allowance [72]

More → (go back) [269]

According to section 5H of the VEA [33] income is:

an amount earned, derived or received by a person for the person's own use or benefit;
a periodical payment by way of gift or allowance; or
a periodical benefit by way of gift or allowance.

The maintenance income test applies when assessing a person's entitlement to Family Tax Benefit [17]. A threshold amount of income (the maintenance income free area) is allowed, with each dollar of maintenance income [17] above the threshold reducing FTB Part A payments by 50 cents. The maintenance income test also applies to child-related payments in respect of DVA saved children [17].

The energy supplement is a fortnightly or quarterly payment designed to help recipients meet the cost of electricity and gas bills.

The pension supplement basic amount is an annual rate paid fortnightly from 20 September 2009. It replaces the GST supplement. It is indexed twice a year in line with CPI increases.

Rent Assistance is an allowance, which may be paid to a service pensioner or income support supplement (ISS) recipient to assist in meeting the cost of rental accommodation.

To receive rent assistance, a pensioner must be paying rent (other than Government rent) for accommodation in Australia, and the amount paid must exceed a certain threshold.

The energy supplement is a fortnightly or quarterly payment designed to help recipients meet the cost of electricity and gas bills.

The ordinary income test provides for an ordinary/adjusted income free area [17]; that is, it provides that the pensioner may receive income up to a certain amount without any reduction in their maximum rate of pension (provided that the assets do not exceed the assets value limit [17]). Any income in excess of the income free area [17] will reduce the pension at the rate of 40 cents in the dollar.

Rent Assistance is an allowance, which may be paid to a service pensioner or income support supplement (ISS) recipient to assist in meeting the cost of rental accommodation.

To receive rent assistance, a pensioner must be paying rent (other than Government rent) for accommodation in Australia, and the amount paid must exceed a certain threshold.

The provisional rate of ISS [17] is the rate of ISS for a non-blinded Australian war widow [17] before any remote area allowance [17] payable is added.

The pension supplement is added to a person's maximum basic rate [17]. The pension supplement is calculated as a 'combined couple' rate. The 'not a member of a couple' rate is 66.33% of the 'combined couple' rate. The member of a couple rate is 50% of the combined couple rate. From 1 July 2010, the minimum pension supplement amount [17] will be able to be claimed on a quarterly basis rather than on a fortnightly basis.

The pension supplement basic amount is an annual rate paid fortnightly from 20 September 2009. It replaces the GST supplement. It is indexed twice a year in line with CPI increases.

Rent Assistance is an allowance, which may be paid to a service pensioner or income support supplement (ISS) recipient to assist in meeting the cost of rental accommodation.

To receive rent assistance, a pensioner must be paying rent (other than Government rent) for accommodation in Australia, and the amount paid must exceed a certain threshold.

The energy supplement is a fortnightly or quarterly payment designed to help recipients meet the cost of electricity and gas bills.

Rent Assistance is an allowance, which may be paid to a service pensioner or income support supplement (ISS) recipient to assist in meeting the cost of rental accommodation.

To receive rent assistance, a pensioner must be paying rent (other than Government rent) for accommodation in Australia, and the amount paid must exceed a certain threshold.

The energy supplement is a fortnightly or quarterly payment designed to help recipients meet the cost of electricity and gas bills.

Source URL (modified on 17/10/2014 - 3:18pm): https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/91-income-and-assets-test-principles

Links
[1] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16127%23comment-form
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[3] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/92-residential-situation
[4] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/93-relationship-status
[5] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/94-children
[6] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/95-deeming-provisions
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[10] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-10-types-income-and-assets/102-assets
[11] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-10-types-income-and-assets/103-business-structures-and-trusts
[12] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-10-types-income-and-assets/104-superannuation-funds
[13] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-10-types-income-and-assets/105-income-streams
[14] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-10-types-income-and-assets/106-maintenance-income
[15] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-11-administration-payments/111-income-support-effective-dates-and-pension-periods
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[17] https://clik.dva.gov.au/%23
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[19] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn2
[20] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn3
[21] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn4
[22] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn5
[23] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/91-income-and-assets-test-principles/912-assessment-process
[24] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn1
[25] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/91-income-and-assets-test-principles/913-income-and-assets-tests
[26] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn2
[27] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/92-residential-situation/924-care-assessment-rules/respite-care
[28] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn3
[29] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/91-income-and-assets-test-principles/914-application-assessed-rate-pension
[30] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn4
[31] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/91-income-and-assets-test-principles/915-order-reduction
[32] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn5
[33] http://clik/health-procedure-library/health-information-and-management-notes-himn/vhc/072014-vhc-veterans-home-care
[34] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-SSA_ftn1
[35] http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Series/C2004A04121
[36] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-SSA_ftn1
[37] http://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-reference-library/commission-guidelines/cm5829-determining-permanently-blind-no-useful-sight-and-blinded-both-eyes#
[38] http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Series/C2004A03268
[39] http://factsheets.dva.gov.au/factsheets/
[40] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16087%23comment-form
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[42] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn6
[43] https://clik.dva.gov.au/legislation-library
[44] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16105%23comment-form
[45] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn14
[46] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn15
[47] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn16
[48] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn17
[49] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn18
[50] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn19
[51] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn20
[52] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn21
[53] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn22
[54] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn23
[55] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn24
[56] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn25
[57] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn26
[58] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn27
[59] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn28
[60] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn29
[61] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Point SCH6-A1
[62] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn14
[63] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Module B/Part 2/schedule 6
[64] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn15
[65] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Module BA/Part 2/schedule 6
[66] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn16
[67] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-5-income-support-allowances-and-benefits/51-rent-assistance
[68] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn17
[69] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn18
[70] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/91-income-and-assets-test-principles/913-income-and-assets-tests/assets-test
[71] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn19
[72] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-5-income-support-allowances-and-benefits/52-remote-area-allowance-raa
[73] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn20
[74] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-reference-library/payment-rates/historical-payment-rates
[75] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn21
[76] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Part 5/schedule 5
[77] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn22
[78] clik://LEGIS/VEA/section 31/schedule 5
[79] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn23
[80] clik://LEGIS/VEA/section 10/schedule 5
[81] clik://LEGIS/VEA/section 11/schedule 5
[82] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn24
[83] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-5-income-support-allowances-and-benefits/51-rent-assistance/513-payment-rent-assistance
[84] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn25
[85] clik://LEGIS/VEA/section 1/schedule 5
[86] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn26
[87] clik://LEGIS/VEA/point SCH6-A1(3)/Schedule 6
[88] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn27
[89] clik://LEGIS/VEA/point SCH6-A1(5)/Schedule 6
[90] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn28
[91] clik://LEGIS/VEA/point SCH6-A1(4)/Schedule 6
[92] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn29
[93] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/15997%23comment-form
[94] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn30
[95] clikpopup://DEF/Blinded/Blindness
[96] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn31
[97] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn30
[98] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn31
[99] http://clik.dva.gov.au/legislation-library
[100] http://clik.dva.gov.au/glossary/assets-value-limit-avl
[101] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16025%23comment-form
[102] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn32
[103] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn33
[104] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn34
[105] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn35
[106] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn36
[107] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn37
[108] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn38
[109] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn39
[110] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn40
[111] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn41
[112] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn42
[113] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn43
[114] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn44
[115] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn45
[116] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn46
[117] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn47
[118] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn48
[119] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn49
[120] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn50
[121] clik://LEGIS/VEA/point SCH6-A1(6)/Schedule 6
[122] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn32
[123] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn33
[124] clik://LEGIS/VEA/point SCH6-A1(7)/Schedule 6
[125] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn34
[126] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/94-children/943-effect-children-assessment-income-support-payments
[127] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn35
[128] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Point SCH6-A4
[129] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn36
[130] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn37
[131] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Point SCH6-B1
[132] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn38
[133] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Point SCH6-BA1
[134] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn39
[135] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Point SCH6-C14A
[136] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn40
[137] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Point SCH6-E1
[138] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/91-income-and-assets-test-principles/913-income-and-assets-tests/income-test
[139] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn41
[140] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn42
[141] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn43
[142] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn44
[143] https://clik.dva.gov.au/csrefprcurr
[144] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn45
[145] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn46
[146] clik://LEGIS/VEA/section 32/schedule 5
[147] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn47
[148] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/94-children/944-payments-respect-saved-children
[149] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn48
[150] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn49
[151] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn50
[152] http://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/94-children/943-effect-children-assessment-income-support-payments/effect-children-remote-area-allowance-raa
[153] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16128%23comment-form
[154] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16045%23comment-form
[155] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn51
[156] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn52
[157] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn53
[158] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn51
[159] https://clik.dva.gov.au/service-eligibility-assistant-updates/all-determinations-order-date-signed-oldest-most-recent/determinations-under-vea
[160] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn52
[161] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn53
[162] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16017%23comment-form
[163] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn54
[164] https://clik.dva.gov.au/glossary/work-bonus-income
[165] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn55
[166] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn56
[167] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn57
[168] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn58
[169] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn59
[170] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn60
[171] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn61
[172] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn62
[173] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn63
[174] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn54
[175] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-10-types-income-and-assets/101-ordinary-income/1018-work-bonus
[176] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn55
[177] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-10-types-income-and-assets/101-ordinary-income/1018-work-bonus/10182-work-bonus-bank
[178] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn56
[179] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Point SCH6-E6
[180] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn57
[181] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn58
[182] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/91-income-and-assets-test-principles/912-assessment-process/assessment-process-service-pension-payable-war-widowwidower-pensioners
[183] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/91-income-and-assets-test-principles/912-assessment-process/assessment-process-iss
[184] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn59
[185] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn60
[186] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn61
[187] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn62
[188] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn63
[189] http://clik.dva.gov.au/glossary/work-bonus-income
[190] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16056%23comment-form
[191] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn64
[192] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn65
[193] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn66
[194] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn67
[195] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn68
[196] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn69
[197] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn70
[198] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn71
[199] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Point SCH6-F1
[200] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn64
[201] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn65
[202] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn66
[203] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn67
[204] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Point SCH6-F2
[205] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn68
[206] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn69
[207] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Point SCH6-F3
[208] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn70
[209] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/92-residential-situation/922-basic-principles-assessment
[210] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn71
[211] https://clik.dva.gov.au/tags/policy
[212] https://clik.dva.gov.au/tags/payment-rates
[213] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16143%23comment-form
[214] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/15999%23comment-form
[215] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn72
[216] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn73
[217] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn74
[218] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn75
[219] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn76
[220] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn77
[221] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn72
[222] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-11-administration-payments/111-income-support-effective-dates-and-pension-periods/1112-pension-periods-and-paydays
[223] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn73
[224] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn74
[225] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-5-income-support-allowances-and-benefits/512-pension-supplement-psup/5123-payability-pension-supplement
[226] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-7-common-allowances-and-benefits/74-clean-energy-payments/742-energy-supplement
[227] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn75
[228] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn76
[229] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn77
[230] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16041%23comment-form
[231] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn78
[232] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn79
[233] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn80
[234] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn81
[235] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn82
[236] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn83
[237] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn84
[238] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn85
[239] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn78
[240] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-3-income-support-eligibility/310-financial-hardship
[241] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn79
[242] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn80
[243] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-5-income-support-allowances-and-benefits/54-pension-loans-scheme
[244] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn81
[245] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn82
[246] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-9-principles-determining-pension-rate/911-compensation-recovery
[247] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn83
[248] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn84
[249] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn85
[250] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16084%23comment-form
[251] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn86
[252] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn87
[253] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn88
[254] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn89
[255] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn86
[256] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-3-income-support-eligibility/311-lump-sum-advance
[257] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn87
[258] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn88
[259] https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-12-compliance-and-obligations/126-overpayments
[260] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn89
[261] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=node/16050%23comment-form
[262] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn90
[263] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn91
[264] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#tgt-cspol_part9_ftn92
[265] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Part 1/schedule 6
[266] clik://LEGIS/VEA/Part 2/schedule 6
[267] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn90
[268] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn91
[269] https://clik.dva.gov.au/book/export/html/16127#ref-cspol_part9_ftn92