The Disability Support Pension (DSP) is a Centrelink payment for people who can't work, or can't work much, because of a long-term physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition. The rules are detailed and the claim takes some preparation, so this guide explains how it works in plain English. Payment rates and income limits change several times a year, so always check the current figures on the Services Australia DSP page.
Who can get the Disability Support Pension?
There are two sets of rules: non-medical and medical. You need to meet both.
Non-medical rules
- Age: at least 15 years and 9 months, and under Age Pension age
- Residence: you generally need to have lived in Australia for at least 10 years in total, with 5 of those years in a row. There are exceptions, for example if you were living in Australia when you became unable to work, or if you came to Australia as a refugee. See the residence rules.
- Income and assets: you need to be under the income and assets limits
Medical rules
Some people qualify straight away under what Services Australia calls manifest rules, for example people who are permanently blind, have a terminal illness with less than 2 years to live, or have an intellectual disability with an IQ under 70.
Everyone else is assessed under the general medical rules. In short, your condition needs to be:
- diagnosed, reasonably treated and stable
- rated at 20 points or more on the Impairment Tables
- likely to stop you working 15 hours or more a week for the next 2 years, even with training
What is the 20-point impairment rating?
Centrelink uses a set of Impairment Tables to rate how much each condition affects your everyday functioning, not just what the diagnosis is. If one condition rates 20 points or more on a single table, that part of the test is met. If you only reach 20 points by adding several conditions together, you usually also need to have taken part in a Program of Support before you can qualify.
How to claim
- Check the rules on the before you claim page.
- Gather medical evidence for each condition that affects your ability to work. Reports should say what the condition is, what treatment you've had, and how it affects daily life and work.
- Claim online through your myGov account linked to Centrelink, or call 132 717 for help.
- Go to any assessments Centrelink books, such as a Job Capacity Assessment.
- Keep copies of everything you send, with dates.
If your claim is rejected
Many DSP claims are refused the first time, often because the medical evidence doesn't show enough about day-to-day impact. If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for it to be reviewed. Ask Centrelink for the reasons first, then look at whether better evidence would answer them.
How Nhanya Foundation can help
Nhanya Foundation is a registered charity based in Werribee. Our advocacy and service navigation team can help you understand letters, organise evidence and prepare for reviews. If you care for someone, our guide to Carer Payment and Carer Allowance explains the payments available to carers.
Need help with a Disability Support Pension claim? Talk to Nhanya Foundation on 03 8595 9012 about advocacy and service navigation.