Disability Support Pension (DSP) Australia: Eligibility and Payments
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2 Nov 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
A guide to the Australian Disability Support Pension, covering who can get the DSP, impairment tables, means testing, payment rates and reviews.
At a Glance
- 1 - On September 20, 2025, the DSP rose by $29.70 a fortnight for singles.
- 2 - People who are permanently blind can get the DSP without income and assets tests.
- 3 - Age Pension age, the upper age limit for claiming the DSP, has been 67 since July 1, 2023.
- 4 - Since October 14, 2024, appeals go to the Administrative Review Tribunal after an internal Centrelink review.
Topic Definition
- Disability Support Pension
The Disability Support Pension, commonly shortened to DSP, is an Australian Government income support payment for people whose disability leaves them unable to work over the long term. Administered by Centrelink, it is available to people aged from 16 up to Age Pension age who have a physical, intellectual, or psychiatric impairment that an assessor expects will prevent them from working, or being retrained for work, for at least the next two years. Applicants generally need to score 20 points or more on the official Impairment Tables, meet residency requirements, and pass an income and assets means test, though those who are permanently blind can receive it without the means test or a work capacity assessment. As the second largest income support payment by expenditure, the DSP shares the same payment rates, indexation, and means testing arrangements as the Age Pension and is paid fortnightly, usually by direct deposit.
Overview
The Disability Support Pension (DSP) is an Australian Government income support payment for people with a physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that stops them from working, or from being retrained for work, for at least the next two years. It is paid by Centrelink, part of Services Australia, to people aged 16 to Age Pension age, which has been 67 since July 1, 2023.
Like most Australian social security payments, the DSP is paid every fortnight, usually into a bank account, and it is means tested: the income and assets of the person and their partner can reduce the rate paid. People who are permanently blind can get the DSP without the income and assets tests. The DSP is one of the largest income support payments in Australia, and about $21.3 billion was paid in the 2023 - 24 financial year [Services Australia, 2024].
Who Can Get the Disability Support Pension?
To qualify for the DSP, a person generally must be 16 or older and under Age Pension age when they claim, meet the residence rules, and either:
- be permanently blind, or
- have a physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairment that is fully diagnosed, treated and stabilized, is rated at 20 points or more under the Impairment Tables, and leaves them unable to work 15 hours or more a week, or to be retrained for such work, within the next two years.
People whose impairment does not reach 20 points on a single Impairment Table usually must also show that they have actively taken part in a program of support, such as a disability employment service, for at least 18 months before they can be granted the DSP [Services Australia, n.d.].
The residence rules usually require 10 years of Australian residence, with at least 5 of them continuous, unless the person became unable to work while an Australian resident or is permanently blind.
Payment Rates and Indexation
DSP rates, indexation and means testing are the same as for the Age Pension for people aged 21 and over, and lower youth rates apply to single people under 21 without children. Rates rise on March 20 and September 20 each year in line with prices and wages; on September 20, 2025, the pension rose by $29.70 a fortnight for singles and $44.80 a fortnight for couples combined [Services Australia, 2025]. The maximum rate includes the Pension Supplement, which in 2009 replaced the older pharmaceutical, telephone and utilities allowances. Check the Services Australia website for current rates and income and asset limits.
Claiming the DSP
You claim the DSP through Centrelink, usually online through myGov. You will need medical evidence about your condition, and Centrelink may arrange an assessment of your work capacity. A claim can take some time to decide, so some people receive another payment, such as JobSeeker Payment, while they wait. JobSeeker Payment replaced Newstart Allowance on March 20, 2020.
If your claim is refused, you can ask for the decision to be reviewed by a Centrelink Authorised Review Officer. If you still disagree, you can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal, which replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on October 14, 2024 [Administrative Review Tribunal, n.d.].
Other Help for People on the DSP
- Rent Assistance for people who pay private rent.
- A Pensioner Concession Card, which gives cheaper medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and discounts on some state and local government services.
- Carer Payment and Carer Allowance for people who provide daily care to someone with a disability or medical condition.
- Mobility Allowance, which closed to new claims in 2020 as transport support moved to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) [Department of Social Services, n.d.].
Working and Traveling on the DSP
Many DSP recipients can work up to 30 hours a week and keep some of their pension, although earnings over the income test limit reduce the rate. The DSP can be paid overseas only for limited periods, generally up to four weeks in a 12-month period unless an exception applies, so tell Centrelink before you travel.
An agreement between Australia and the United States, in effect since October 1, 2002, helps people who have worked in both countries qualify for retirement, disability or survivors benefits and avoid paying social security contributions to both countries on the same earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for the Disability Support Pension?
You claim the DSP through Centrelink, usually online via myGov or in person, by submitting medical evidence and completing the required assessments of your impairment and work capacity.
How long does a DSP claim take to be approved?
Processing can take weeks to months, and while a claim is assessed applicants are often placed on another payment as a temporary measure, with the DSP backdated to the claim date once granted.
Can I work part time while receiving the DSP?
You can do some work while on the DSP, but earnings are means tested and working above certain hours or income thresholds can reduce or suspend your payment.
What happens if my DSP claim is rejected?
If your claim is refused you can ask for a review of the decision, first internally through Centrelink and then, if needed, through the Administrative Review Tribunal.
Does the DSP affect other government benefits?
Receiving the DSP can make you eligible for extra support such as rent assistance and a concession card, though means tested payments are assessed together based on income and assets.
Do I need to reapply for the DSP each year?
The DSP does not require annual reapplication, but Centrelink may periodically review your circumstances, medical condition, or work capacity to confirm you still qualify.
Is the Disability Support Pension taxable income?
The DSP is generally tax free for recipients under Age Pension age, though tax treatment can vary with individual circumstances, so it is wise to confirm with a tax professional.
Can I travel overseas while receiving the DSP?
Yes, but how long you can keep getting the pension while overseas depends on your circumstances, and for many people it is limited to a few weeks a year. Tell Centrelink before you leave so your payment is not stopped or overpaid.
References
- Administrative Review Tribunal. (n.d.). About the Tribunal.
- Department of Social Services. (n.d.). Mobility Allowance (MOB).
- Services Australia. (2024). Annual report 2023 - 24.
- Services Australia. (2025, September). The pension rate will increase in September 2025.
- Services Australia. (n.d.). Disability Support Pension: Who can get it.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team. Last updated: