Australian Disability Support Pension: DSP Guide
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 30 Jul 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
A guide to the Australian Disability Support Pension, covering DSP eligibility, impairment tables, means testing, payment rates, and related allowances.
At a Glance
- 1 - People who are permanently blind can receive the DSP without income and assets tests or proof of an inability to work.
- 2 - Qualifying usually requires an impairment assessed at 20 points or more under the Impairment Tables and an inability to work at least 15 hours a week.
- 3 - Recipients gain access to related support such as the Mobility Allowance, Carer Payment, Rent Assistance, and a Pensioner Concession Card for reduced service costs.
- 4 - A 2002 agreement between the United States and Australia helps people who worked in both countries qualify for benefits and avoid paying contributions twice on the same earnings.
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
Social Security, in Australia, refers to a system of social welfare payments provided by the Commonwealth Government of Australia. These payments are administered by a Government body named Centrelink. In Australia, most benefits are subject to a means test.
Centrelink is an Australian Government Statutory Agency, assisting people to become self-sufficient and supporting those in need. All Centrelink Income support payments are payable fortnightly, usually by direct deposit into the recipient's bank account. They are also subject to a means test which calculates the recipient (and their partner's) fortnightly income and assets and affects the rate of their payment accordingly. As such, people on lower incomes may be entitled to part-payment of their allowance (subject to other qualification requirements). The assessment of income and assets is very similar between different social security payments but the effect that income and assets have on each payment differs in that they have different income thresholds (i.e., how much income one can earn before it impacts their payment) and different taper rates (the amount of the payment drops by per dollar above these thresholds).
Disability Support Pension
Provides income support for people who suffer a long-term disability, which in the opinion of an assessor they will not recover from in the next two years, and which will render themselves unable to work or participate in a training activity enabling them to work.
The Disability Support Pension (DSP) is a payment for those aged between 16 and Age Pension age with reduced participation capacity due to a physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition. DSP payment rates, indexation methodology and means testing arrangements are the same as the Age Pension. The DSP is an important part of the income support system for people whose disability means they are unable to undertake substantive work. It is the second-largest income support payment in terms of expenditure.
To qualify for DSP, a person must be 16 years or over and be under Age Pension age at the time of claim (Australian Government, 2013) and:
- Be permanently blind.
- Have become unable to work while in Australia, or have 10 years qualifying Australian residence.
- Have a physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairment (assessed at 20 points or more under the Impairment Tables).
- Be unable to do any work of at least 15 hours a week, or be re-skilled for any work, for a period of at least two years.
It is more than you get on Newstart, and is income and assets-tested. However, if you are permanently blind, you can receive DSP without income and assets tests, and without needing to prove any inability to work, etc. DSP can take a while to process, so as a temporary measure claimants are placed on another payment (e.g., Newstart with a medical certificate to cover the activity tests) while the payment is being assessed; once granted it is backdated to the claim date at the higher DSP rate.
Thousands of Australians on the disability support pension (DSP) will soon have their ability to work reassessed under welfare changes to be introduced in the budget. The Treasurer's office has confirmed thousands of people under the age of 35 will be assessed by independent doctors appointed by the Government. News Corp is reporting almost 30,000 will be reassessed...
Disability Support Pension (Means-tested unless blind)
Aged 16 to 65 (men) or aged 16 to 61 (women).
A minimum 20% impairment level and an inability to work for at least 30 hours a week at full wages, or the inability to be retrained for such work for at least the next 2 years due to a physical or mental impairment or permanent blindness.
Must be resident in the country.
If the incapacity began before becoming an Australian resident, the same minimum residence requirements apply as for the old-age pension; there is no minimum residence requirement for an Australian resident with an impairment.
The pension is payable abroad under specific circumstances but may be reduced. An agreement effective October 1, 2002, between the United States and Australia improves Social Security protection for people who spend part of their working life in both countries. It helps many people who, without the agreement, would not be eligible for monthly retirement, disability, or survivors benefits under the Social Security system of one or both countries. It also helps people who would otherwise have to pay contributions to both countries on the same earnings.
Mobility Allowance (Not means-tested)
Paid to a disabled person aged 16 or older who cannot use public transportation without substantial assistance.
Carer Payment (Means-tested)
Paid to the provider of constant care at home for a recipient of social security or veteran's income support who has a physical or mental impairment (including a profoundly disabled child); or for two disabled children or more.
Permanent Disability Benefits
The Disability pension is (means-tested unless blind): For single people younger than age 18 and living away from the family home, up to A$408.60 every 2 weeks; A$264.40 if living in the family home. For single people aged 18 to 20 and living away from the family home, up to A$408.60 every 2 weeks; A$299.80 if living in the family home. Single disability pensioners younger than age 21 are eligible for the youth disability supplement of A$90.10 every 2 weeks, which is included in the rates of the disability pension payable to pensioners younger than age 21.
- Mobility allowance (not means-tested): payable every 2 weeks.
- Carer payment (means-tested): payable every 2 weeks.
- Rent assistance (means-tested): payable every 2 weeks, according to marital status and the level of rent. Special rules apply to people living in retirement villages.
- Pharmaceutical allowance: payable every 2 weeks for a single person and for a couple.
- Telephone allowance: payable each year for telephone subscribers.
- Pensioner concession card: Social security recipients are entitled to the concession card that provides reduced costs on certain federal, state or territory, and local government services.
- Benefit adjustment: The disability pension and carer payment are adjusted in March and September according to changes in the price index.
The numbers of people receiving the DSP have grown substantially over the last 20 years. DSP expenditure is currently $15.8 billion and is projected to increase at 1.5 percent in real terms over the forward estimates. Due partly to the correlation between disability rates and age, DSP expenditure is expected to increase as a proportion of GDP from around 0.9 percent currently to 1 percent by 2050.
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 Appeals 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.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team.
Last updated: