Social Security Act 1991
No. 46, 1991
Compilation No. 211
Compilation date: 10 August 2023
Includes amendments up to: Act No. 52, 2023
Registered: 22 August 2023
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
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 10 August 2023 (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 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 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 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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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 87
9C.......................... Family law affected income streams................................. 93
9D......................... Asset‑tested status of secondary FLA income streams..... 94
9E.......................... Asset‑tested income stream (lifetime)............................... 94
10.......................... Maintenance income definitions....................................... 95
10A....................... Definitions for carer allowance and seniors health card provisions 96
11.......................... Assets test definitions...................................................... 108
11A....................... Principal home definition for the purpose of the assets test 114
12.......................... Retirement villages definitions........................................ 121
12A....................... Granny flat definitions.................................................... 123
12B........................ Sale leaseback definitions............................................... 123
12C........................ Special residence and residents definitions.................... 125
13.......................... Rent definitions............................................................... 126
14.......................... Remote area definitions.................................................. 133
14A....................... Social security benefit liquid assets test definitions......... 134
16.......................... Industrial action definitions............................................ 137
16A....................... Seasonal work definitions............................................... 139
16B........................ Partial capacity to work................................................... 148
17.......................... Compensation recovery definitions................................ 150
18.......................... Parenting payment definitions......................................... 158
19.......................... Mobility allowance definitions........................................ 158
19A....................... Fares allowance definitions............................................. 159
19AA.................... Student start‑up loan definitions..................................... 161
19AB..................... Student Financial Supplement Scheme definitions.......... 162
19B........................ Financial hardship (Carer payment) liquid assets test definition 168
19C........................ Severe financial hardship definitions.............................. 169
19D....................... Severe financial hardship—crisis payment definition..... 174
19DA.................... Experiencing a personal financial crisis definition.......... 176
19E........................ Exempt funeral investments............................................ 177
20.......................... Indexation and rate adjustment definitions..................... 177
20A....................... Pension supplement rate definitions................................ 179
21.......................... Bereavement definitions.................................................. 182
23.......................... Dictionary....................................................................... 183
Part 1.3—Determinations having interpretative effect 231
24.......................... Person may be treated as not being a member of a couple (subsection 4(2)) 231
24A....................... Approved scholarship..................................................... 232
25.......................... Refugee visas.................................................................. 232
26.......................... Impairment Tables and rules for applying them.............. 233
27.......................... Application of Impairment Tables................................... 233
28.......................... Approved programs of work for income support payment 235
28A....................... Approval of programs of assistance............................... 236
28C........................ Declared program participants........................................ 236
29.......................... Approval of friendly societies......................................... 236
30.......................... Approval of mental hospitals.......................................... 236
31.......................... Approval of follow‑up rehabilitation programs.............. 237
32.......................... Approval of sheltered employment—non‑profit organisation 237
33.......................... Approval of sheltered employment—supported employment 238
35.......................... Approval of care organisation......................................... 238
35A....................... Personal Care Support.................................................... 239
35B........................ Declared overseas terrorist act........................................ 239
36.......................... Major disaster................................................................. 239
36A....................... Part 2.23B major disaster................................................ 240
37.......................... Dependent child—inmate of a mental hospital................ 241
38B........................ Notional continuous period of receipt of income support payments 242
38C........................ Adult Disability Assessment Tool..................................