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Disability Support Pension

The Disability Support Pension (DSP) provides a source of income support for people who are unable to work due to injury or serious illness, including HIV. In recent years, access to the DSP for new applicants has been tightened and is now limited to people assessed as unable to work more than 15 hours per week.

Key resources

Surviving the Centrelink DSP Review
Fact sheet cover image - Centrelink reviews

This Positive Life (NSW) fact sheet offers information and practical tips for people on the Disability Support Pension to help them understand and deal with a Centrelink review.

Same-Sex Law Reform and Pension Changes: the Case for Savings Provisions & Other Transitional Arrangements
Same Sex Law Reform briefing paper - cover

This briefing paper discusses the impact of changes to social security payments (including the Disability Support Pension) for people in same-sex relationships, which are planned to take effect from 1 July 2009.

Making concessions

Positive Living article • Brad Johnston • 13 March 2009

‘Pensioner’ is such a loaded term, muses Brad Johnston, particularly when you’re an apparently healthy 38-year-old. read more »

A downside of same-sex law reform

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 13 March 2009

With impending social security changes set to adversely affect a good chunk of our community, it’s important we look for ways to ease the transition for a group already doing it hard. read more »

Same-Sex Law Reform and Pension Changes: the Case for Savings Provisions & Other Transitional Arrangements

Resource • 5 March 2009

This briefing paper discusses the impact of changes to social security payments (including the Disability Support Pension) for people in same-sex relationships, which are planned to take effect from 1 July 2009. read more »

NAPWA urges pension changes

Positive Living article • admin • 25 November 2008

In a submission to the federal government’s review of pensions and the tax system, NAPWA has made a plea for urgent action to be taken on the rate of pensions and concession entitlements as they affect people with HIV. read more »

NAPWA submission to Pension Review

Submission • Robert Mitchell • 29 September 2008

The attached submission was made by NAPWA to the federal government's review of the pension system. read more »

Steven: Surviving long-term

Positive Living article • Bill O'Loughlin • 22 July 2008

Even among long-term survivors, Steven has survived more than most. Steven has been near death a number of times, and has always found the strength to pull through. Despite numerous obstacles, Steven has always been able to find the strength to work out ways to make the best of his situation and develop new strategies to manage his health. read more »

Welfare to Work: where to from here?

Positive Living article • 26 June 2008

Graham Douglas-Meyer surveys the current status of PLWHAPerson (or People) Living with HIV/AIDS. and how the new government will affect changes that have already been made, as well as some thought for the future. read more »

Volunteering for work

Positive Living article • Graham Douglas-Meyer • 22 March 2007

For people who’ve spent time on the Disability Support Pension, the decision to try a return to work can be an important step towards independence from the welfare system. But recent changes to the DSP mean the process is far from straightforward. GRAHAM DOUGLAS-MEYER explains some of the pitfalls. read more »

Q and A on welfare changes

Positive Living article • David Menadue • 21 December 2006

There are now three different categories of people on the Disability Support Pension depending on when they were placed on it. This article examines the effect of the changes on each of these groups. read more »

DSP Review fact sheet: Centrelink responds

Story • admin • 3 February 2006

A response from Centrelink to issues raised in the fact sheet “Surviving the Centrelink DSP Review”. read more »

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