
Social Security Act 1991
No. 46, 1991
Compilation No. 198
Compilation date: 2 June 2022
Includes amendments up to: Act No. 32, 2022
Registered: 24 June 2022
This compilation is in 5 volumes
Volume 1: sections 1–661F
Volume 2: sections 665A–1067L
Volume 3: sections 1068–1263
Schedule 1A
Volume 4: Endnotes 1–4
Volume 5: Endnote 5
Each volume has its own contents
This compilation includes commenced amendments made by Act No. 123, 2021
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Social Security Act 1991 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 2 June 2022 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
Chapter 1—Introductory 1
Part 1.1—Formal matters 1
1............................ Short title............................................................................ 1
2............................ Commencement.................................................................. 1
3............................ Application of the Criminal Code....................................... 1
3AA...................... Norfolk Island.................................................................... 1
Part 1.2—Definitions 2
3A......................... Power of Secretary to make determinations etc................... 2
3AB....................... References to Employment Secretary.................................. 2
3B.......................... Definitions—simplified outline........................................... 2
4............................ Family relationships definitions—couples......................... 3
5............................ Family relationships definitions—children....................... 11
5A......................... Single person sharing accommodation.............................. 21
5B.......................... Registered and active foster carers.................................... 24
5C.......................... Home educators................................................................ 25
5D......................... Distance educators............................................................ 25
5E.......................... Relatives (other than parents)............................................ 25
5F.......................... Secondary pupil child....................................................... 26
5G......................... Main supporter of secondary pupil child.......................... 27
6............................ Double orphan pension definitions.................................. 27
6A......................... Concession card definitions.............................................. 27
7............................ Australian residence definitions....................................... 29
8............................ Income test definitions...................................................... 37
9............................ Financial assets and income streams definitions............... 58
9A......................... Meaning of asset‑test exempt income stream—lifetime income streams 69
9B.......................... Meaning of asset‑test exempt income stream—life expectancy income streams 78
9BA....................... Meaning of asset‑test exempt income stream—market‑linked income streams 86
9C.......................... Family law affected income streams................................. 92
9D......................... Asset‑tested status of secondary FLA income streams..... 93
9E.......................... Asset‑tested income stream (lifetime)............................... 93
10.......................... Maintenance income definitions....................................... 94
10A....................... Definitions for carer allowance and seniors health card provisions 95
11.......................... Assets test definitions...................................................... 107
11A....................... Principal home definition for the purpose of the assets test 113
12.......................... Retirement villages definitions........................................ 120
12A....................... Granny flat definitions.................................................... 122
12B........................ Sale leaseback definitions............................................... 122
12C........................ Special residence and residents definitions.................... 124
13.......................... Rent definitions............................................................... 125
14.......................... Remote area definitions.................................................. 131
14A....................... Social security benefit liquid assets test definitions......... 132
16.......................... Industrial action definitions............................................ 136
16A....................... Seasonal work definitions............................................... 137
16B........................ Partial capacity to work................................................... 147
17.......................... Compensation recovery definitions................................ 149
18.......................... Parenting payment definitions......................................... 157
19.......................... Mobility allowance definitions........................................ 157
19A....................... Fares allowance definitions............................................. 158
19AA.................... Student start‑up loan definitions..................................... 159
19AB..................... Student Financial Supplement Scheme definitions.......... 161
19B........................ Financial hardship (Carer payment) liquid assets test definition 166
19C........................ Severe financial hardship definitions.............................. 167
19D....................... Severe financial hardship—crisis payment definition..... 173
19DA.................... Experiencing a personal financial crisis definition.......... 174
19E........................ Exempt funeral investments............................................ 175
20.......................... Indexation and rate adjustment definitions..................... 176
20A....................... Pension supplement rate definitions................................ 177
21.......................... Bereavement definitions.................................................. 180
23.......................... Dictionary....................................................................... 181
Part 1.3—Determinations having interpretative effect 229
24.......................... Person may be treated as not being a member of a couple (subsection 4(2)) 229
24A....................... Approved scholarship..................................................... 230
25.......................... Refugee visas.................................................................. 230
26.......................... Impairment Tables and rules for applying them.............. 231
27.......................... Application of Impairment Tables................................... 231
28.......................... Approved programs of work for income support payment 233
28A....................... Approval of programs of assistance............................... 234
28C........................ Declared program participants........................................ 234
29.......................... Approval of friendly societies......................................... 234
30.......................... Approval of mental hospitals.......................................... 234
31.......................... Approval of follow‑up rehabilitation programs.............. 235
32.......................... Approval of sheltered employment—non‑profit organisation 235
33.......................... Approval of sheltered employment—supported employment 236
35.......................... Approval of care organisation......................................... 236
35A....................... Personal Care Support.................................................... 237
35B........................ Declared overseas terrorist act........................................ 237
36.......................... Major disaster................................................................. 237
36A....................... Part 2.23B major disaster................................................ 238
37.......................... Dependent child—inmate of a mental hospital................ 239
38B........................ Notional continuous period of receipt of income support payments 240
38C........................ Adult Disability Assessment Tool.................................. 242
38E........................ Disability Care Load Assessment (Child) Determination 242
38F........................ Treating health professional............................................ 243
Part 1.3B—Loss of social security payments and concessions for persons on security grounds 244
38L........................ Simplified outline of this Part......................................... 244
38M....................... Loss of social security payments and concessions for persons on security grounds 244
38N....................... Security notice from Home Affairs Minister.................. 245
38P........................ Notice from Foreign Affairs Minister............................. 246
38R........................ Copy of security notice to be given to Secretaries........... 246
38S........................ Period security notice is in force..................................... 247
38SA..................... Annual review of security notice.................................... 247
38T........................ Revoking a security n