Social Security Point-in-Time Service Updates

The Social Security Point-in-Time Service has been updated to include the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Remote Engagement Program) Act 2021 (Cth) (No 123 of 2021), the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Act 2021 (Cth) (No 141 of 2021), and the Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Exempting Disability Payments from Income Testing and Other Measures) Act 2021 (Cth) (No 142 of 2021).

Act 123 of 2021

The Act will provide a framework for piloting new approaches to delivering employment services in remote communities, ahead of implementing the Government’s Budget announcement that the Community Development Program (CDP) will be replaced in 2023.

This Act supports collaboration with communities to develop an appropriately flexible program that will build the skills and vocational capabilities of people in remote communities.

The Act introduces a new supplementary payment (new payment) to be made to eligible job seekers in remote engagement program pilot communities so they can engage in activities or placements that are like having a job.

Act 141 of 2021

An Act to deal with consequential matters in connection with the establishment of the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme, and for related purposes.

As the redress payment is in recognition of the harm caused by forced removal and is aimed at healing, the objective of the Act is to ensure that eligible participants will receive the full benefit of the redress payment and that receipt of the payment does not adversely affect income testing for other Commonwealth payments or benefits. 

Act 142 of 2021

This Act gives effect to the Government’s response to the Review commissioned by the Prime Minister into the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) Payment which was undertaken by Mr David Tune AO PSM. It also responds to recommendation 15.1 of the Productivity Commission’s review – A Better Way to Support Veterans.

It exempts certain Department of Veterans’ Affairs payments known collectively as Adjusted Disability Pension (ADP) from the social security income test under the Social Security Act 1991, repeals the collective definition of ADP from the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) and as a result of the social security income test exemption removes the need for the Defence Force Income Support Allowance (DFISA) as social security payments will increase as a result of the exemption. This Act also repeals the operation and definition of the DFISA and DFISA Bonus from the VEA and consequentially removes all references to it from Commonwealth primary legislation.

These amendments have been updated in the Point-in-Time Social Security Service current to 23 January 2022. (NB: Subscription required).

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