What is the Disability Support Pension (DSP)?
The DSP provides financial help for people who live with a physical, intellectual or mental health psychiatric condition that is likely to persist for more than two years and stops them from working. If the person applying for the DSP is already receiving an income support payment, they won’t need to meet mutual obligation requirements while Services Australia assesses their DSP claim.
Eligibility
Not everyone with a disability or medical condition can access the DSP. The Services Australia website provides information about eligibility.
To be eligible to apply, you must:
- be at least 15 years and 9 months, and not yet eligible for the age pension
- have been an Australian resident for at least 10 years (with no break in residence for at least five years)
- meet Services Australia income and assets tests.
Your condition must also:
- be likely to persist for more than two years
- stop you from working at least 15 hours a week in the next two years
- impact your capacity to undertake activities
- have an impairment rating of 20 points or more
- be diagnosed, reasonably treated and stabilised.
If you do not meet an impairment rating of 20 points or more in one Services Australia Impairment Table, you may still be eligible if you:
- meet the rules for the Program of Support
- meet the manifest medical rules.
Where can I find out more and get help?
The first step in preparing a DSP application is to visit the Services Australia website for full details about DSP eligibility and the application process. Emerge Australia has provided resources to help you prepare an application, but this does not replace the need to check details with Services Australia.
DSP Help is a free online resource created by Social Security Rights Victoria, an independent community legal centre providing free legal services for social security and Centrelink matters. DSP Help is designed to make the DSP process easier to understand by using plain English. It also has an online medical evidence bot that can create a template medical letter for your doctor.
Emerge Australia’s DSP resources
DSP online learning module
This free, self-paced online module is designed to support people living with ME/CFS and long COVID in preparing a strong DSP application. It includes:
- an overview of the DSP, including eligibility criteria and application requirements
- a recorded presentation
- a downloadable DSP template letter for health professionals.
Live question and answer sessions
We run regular live Q&A sessions for people living with ME/CFS or long COVID, as well as their supporters, who are preparing to apply for the DSP.
These sessions are designed for people who have already viewed the recorded presentation in the DSP learning module and have further questions.
Please watch the recorded session before attending a live question and answer session.
The sessions run for 45 minutes, but you’re welcome to leave earlier if needed.
Support and Telehealth Service
Emerge Australia’s Support and Telehealth Service can answer general questions and provide feedback on reports from your health team.
Please note: Our service provides general support only. We do not have the resources to provide individual (one-to-one) advocacy or generate a written report for your DSP application.
