More opportunity for people with disability
The Government will fast‑track the introduction of more accurate and effificient assessments for DSP eligibility and employment services.
From 3 September 2011, DSP applicants will need to provide evidence that they have tested their future work capacity. DSP applicants with a profound disability will not be affected.
This will be supported by the implementation of revised definitions of impairment for DSP assessment, from 1 January 2012. These are being updated for the first time since 1993, to make them consistent with contemporary medical and rehabilitation practice.
Supporting people with disability who want to work
Many people with disability want to work and can make a valuable contribution to the workplace. Supporting them to do so enables them to experience the emotional and social benefits of work, as well as benefiting from the income work brings.
The Government recognises this, and is introducing a number of measures to help people with disability engage with the workforce where they are able.
The Government will introduce appropriate participation requirements for Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients under 35 years who have an assessed work capacity of 8 hours or more a week.
These recipients will be required to attend Centrelink interviews in order to create a participation plan tailored to their individual circumstances. Participation plans could involve working with employment services to improve job readiness, undertaking training, volunteering or rehabilitation.
To increase incentives to work, the Government will increase the number of hours all DSP recipients can work and remain on payment, subject to the income test, from 15 to 30 hours per week.
DSP recipients as a per cent of the working age population
(as at June 2010)
Source: Australian Government Administrative Data, ABS cat. no. 3222.0.