Curious about allowable work hours and how much you can earn on the Disability Support Pension (DSP)? Whether you’re already working on the DSP or considering seeking employment, this article explores everything you need to know about working while on the Disability Support Pension.
What is a Disability Support Pension?
The Disability Support Pension (DSP) is an income support payment through Centrelink designed to assist people who cannot work due to a long-term physical, intellectual, or psychiatric impairment.
Who is eligible for the Disability Support Pension?
According to Services Australia, to be eligible for the DSP, you must:
- Be an Australian resident, living in Australia, and physically present in the country when applying
- Be at least 15 years and 9 months and under the Age Pension age when you claim
- Meet the requirements of the income and assets tests
- Meet the medical rules, and be assessed as being unable to work for 15 or more hours per week, for at least two years, due to a long-term physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairment
It’s important to note that not everyone with a disability or a medical condition can get the DSP.
How much is the Disability Support Pension?
How much DSP you can receive depends on your situation, including your age and living conditions. We encourage you to always check Centrelink Services Australia for the most updated information as this is something that changes constantly.
The maximum payment rates if you’re 21 or older with or without children, or younger than 21 with a child in your care, are outlined below.
| Pension rates per fortnight | Single | Couple each | Couple combined | Couple each separated due to ill health |
| Maximum basic rate | $1,002.50 | $755.70 | $1,511.40 | $1,002.50 |
| Maximum Pension Supplement | $80.10 | $60.40 | $120.80 | $80.10 |
| Energy Supplement | $14.10 | $10.60 | $21.20 | $14.10 |
| Total | $1,096.70 | $826.70 | $1,653.40 | $1,096.70 |
The figures in the table above come directly from Services Australia and were last updated in January 2023.
If you are younger than 21 and do not have any dependent children in your care, the payment rates will depend on whether you are assessed as dependent or independent. In either case, your parents’ or guardians’ income will not impact how much payment you can receive.
| Your situation | Maximum rate per fortnight |
| Single, younger than 18, and dependent | $517.70 |
| Singe, younger than 18, and independent | $747.60 |
| Single, 18 to 20, and dependent | $574.20 |
| Single 18 to 20, and independent | $747.60 |
| A couple, and younger than 21 | $747.60 |
The figures in the table above come directly from Services Australia and were last updated in January 2023.
Can I work and still be on the Disability Support Pension?
According to Services Australia, if you receive the DSP, you can have paid work up to 29 hours a week. You can do this without losing your DSP payment, provided you meet the income test.
However, you must alert Services Australia within 14 days if you or your partner have started work, along with any details of that work.
Unless you receive Rent Assistance, an income test will not be necessary if you are permanently blind and receive DSP. Under these circumstances, you would not have to tell Services Australia about the hours you work or report your employment income.
If you currently receive DSP and start working, you may be able to get a Special Employment Advance.
How much can I earn on the Disability Support Pension?
The amount you earn from work can reduce how much you receive from your disability pension. We encourage you to always check Centrelink Services Australia for the most updated information as this is something that changes constantly.
To determine this, an assessment of both your income and your partner’s income and financial assets is conducted through the income test. If your income exceeds a certain amount, your pension amount will decrease. Further, if your income exceeds the cut off point in a fortnight, you will be paid $0 for that fortnight. The general cut off points are outlined below.
| Your situation | Income cut off point |
| 21 or older, single | $2,397.40 |
| 21 or older, couple living together | $3,666.80 combined |
| 21 or older, couple living apart due to ill health | $4,746.80 combined |
| 18 to 20, single, no children, at home | $1,378.80 |
| 16 to 17, single, no children, at home | $1,264.40 |
| 16 to 20, single, no children, independent | $1,730.60 |
| 16 to 20, couple, no children | $3,400.00 combined |
The figures in the table above come directly from Services Australia and were last updated in January 2023.
Looking for work on the Disability Support Pension?
WISE delivers tailored support to customers on the Disability Support Pension during their search for employment. Our specialised Disability Employment Services (DES) help people with an injury, illness, mental health condition or disability in securing and maintaining meaningful employment.
The support WISE can provide is split into two parts: Disability Management Service and Employment Support Service.
Disability Management Service (DMS) is for job seekers with a disability, injury or health condition who require assistance to find a job and occasional support to keep a job. On the other hand, Employment Support Service (ESS) assists people with a permanent disability, offering consistent and ongoing support to help them maintain employment.
WISE Employment looks to stand out from other providers by focusing on customer centricity – everything we do is focused on what you need and how we can help. All of our staff undertake training in disability awareness, including mental health, to better understand the challenges and barriers our clients face every day. Everybody who receives DES through WISE Employment has a program tailored to them individually, so no two plans are the same.
If this sounds like something that would suit you or someone you know, please free-call our team on 1800 685 105 or register your interest as a job seeker.