Disability Support Pension 2026: Rates, Eligibility & How to Apply

Q: What is the Disability Support Pension?

The Disability Support Pension is a government payment that provides financial support to Australians with a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that stops them from working 15 hours or more per week for at least two years.

Q: Who can qualify for the Disability Support Pension?

To qualify for the Disability Support Pension, you must meet both non-medical and medical criteria. You must be an Australian resident under Age Pension age, meet income and asset tests, and have a permanent, diagnosed, treated, and stabilised medical condition.

Q: How many points do I need to qualify for DSP under the Impairment Tables?

You must score at least 20 points across the Impairment Tables. Each table assesses how your condition affects your ability to work.

Q: Can I work while receiving the Disability Support Pension?

Yes, you can work up to 29 hours per week without losing your eligibility, as long as your medical condition and work capacity remain consistent with DSP rules. Your payment may reduce based on income.

Complete guide to Disability Support Pension (DSP) — eligibility, payment rates, Impairment Tables, application process, and working while on DSP.

For Australians with permanent disability Updated: July 2026

$1,200.90 max rate 20-point Impairment Tables myGov accessible

$1,200.90

DSP (single, 21+)

Impairment points

Hours/week allowed

The Disability Support Pension (DSP) is a vital financial support payment provided by the Australian Government for individuals who are unable to work due to a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition . In 2026, the Disability Support Pension remains one of the most important income support programs in Australia, helping eligible individuals cover essential living costs when working 15 hours or more per week is not possible for at least two years . This guide explains Disability Support Pension eligibility, rates, and how to apply.

Disability Support Pension rates and eligibility guide 2026

Disability Support Pension 2026 — rates, eligibility, and how to apply

What Is the Disability Support Pension?

The Disability Support Pension provides ongoing financial assistance to Australians with long-term medical conditions that significantly limit their ability to work . Payments are made fortnightly and are adjusted twice a year (March and September) to keep up with inflation .

In addition to the base pension, you may also receive Energy Supplement, Rent Assistance, and Pension Supplement depending on your circumstances .

Disability Support Pension eligibility and application guide

Disability Support Pension — eligibility, application process, and support available

Who Is Eligible for Disability Support Pension?

To get the Disability Support Pension, you need to meet both non-medical and medical rules .

Non-Medical Eligibility Rules

Age: You must be 16 years or older and below Age Pension age (67) .
Residency: You must be an Australian resident and living in Australia when you apply. You must have lived in Australia for at least 10 years, including 5 continuous years .
Income and Assets Test: Your DSP payment depends on your income and assets. Your partner’s financial situation may also affect your payment .

Medical Eligibility Rules

Your medical condition must meet strict criteria to qualify for the Disability Support Pension :

Diagnosed: The condition must be diagnosed by an appropriately qualified medical practitioner .
Reasonably Treated: You must have undertaken reasonable treatment, and any further treatment is unlikely to result in significant functional improvement .
Stabilised: The condition must be stabilised, with the impact expected to persist for more than 2 years .
Impairment Score: You must score 20 or more points under the Impairment Tables .
Work Capacity: Your impairment must prevent you from working 15 hours or more per week for at least 2 years .

Disability Support Pension Impairment Tables

The Impairment Tables are used to assess the impact of your medical conditions on your ability to work . They are function-based rather than diagnosis-based, meaning they assess how your condition affects your daily activities and work capacity .

To qualify for the Disability Support Pension, you must score at least 20 points across the Impairment Tables . The current Impairment Tables are contained in the Social Security (Tables for the Assessment of Work-related Impairment for Disability Support Pension) Determination 2023, which has been in force since 1 April 2023 .

                        
                        Key point: The Impairment Tables describe functional activities, abilities, symptoms, and limitations — not just the diagnosis itself .
                    

Manifest Medical Rules (Fast-Track Approval)

You may qualify for fast-track Disability Support Pension approval if your condition is severe and permanent under the manifest medical rules :

Permanent blindness
Terminal illness with average life expectancy of less than 2 years
Intellectual disability with an IQ of less than 70
Nursing home level care requirement
Category 4 HIV/AIDS
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Disability Compensation Payment at the Special Rate (totally and permanently incapacitated)

If you meet any of the manifest medical rules, you may be able to get the Disability Support Pension without a full medical assessment. However, you still need to meet the non-medical rules .

Disability Support Pension Payment Rates 2026

The following rates are effective from 20 March 2026 for the Disability Support Pension :

Situation	Basic Rate	Pension Supplement	Energy Supplement	Total
Single (21+ or with child)	$1,100.30	$86.50	$14.10	$1,200.90
Couple (each)	$829.40	$65.20	$10.60	$905.20
Couple (combined)	$1,658.80	$130.40	$21.20	$1,810.40
Couple separated due to illness (each)	$1,100.30	$86.50	$14.10	$1,200.90

Source: Services Australia, effective 20 March 2026 . Actual payments may vary depending on income, assets, and individual circumstances.

How to Apply for Disability Support Pension

Applying for the Disability Support Pension requires careful preparation. Follow these steps:

Check your eligibility: Use the DSP pre-claim guide on the Services Australia website .
Gather medical evidence: Reports from your GP and medical specialists, hospital records, diagnostic test results, and statements confirming your condition is treated and stabilised .
Complete the DSP claim: Submit your claim online through your myGov account linked to Centrelink, or complete the paper form SA466 – Claim for Disability Support Pension .
Attend assessments (if required): You may be asked to attend a Job Capacity Assessment (JCA) or Disability Medical Assessment (DMA) .
Wait for a decision: DSP claims typically take around 6 to 12 weeks to process .

What Happens After You Apply

After you submit your Disability Support Pension application, it goes through several review stages :

Initial Review: Your claim is checked against non-medical eligibility criteria (age, residency, income, and assets).
Medical Assessment Phase: If your claim passes the non-medical review, it moves to the medical assessment phase. This includes the Job Capacity Assessment (JCA) and Disability Medical Assessment (DMA) .
Decision and Notification: Once assessments are complete, Services Australia reviews all information and makes a decision. You’ll receive a formal notice explaining the outcome .

Tip: While waiting for your DSP claim to be assessed, you may be eligible for temporary payments such as JobSeeker Payment .

Working While Receiving Disability Support Pension

You can work while receiving the Disability Support Pension. The system is designed to support employment while ensuring you continue receiving financial assistance .

Work hours limit: You can generally work up to 29 hours per week without automatically losing your DSP eligibility, providing you meet the income test .
Reporting income: You must report any income you and your partner get every 2 weeks, even if it’s $0 .
If you work 30 hours or more: If you regularly work 30 hours or more per week, your DSP may be suspended (not cancelled) — this allows you to restart your payment easily if your work hours or income reduce .

                        
                        Important: You must tell Centrelink if you or your partner have started work within 14 days .
                    

If Your Disability Support Pension Is Cancelled or Suspended

Your Disability Support Pension may be stopped if :

Your income or assets exceed the allowable limits
You start working beyond permitted hours
You leave Australia for an extended period without meeting portability rules
You fail to respond to review requests or report changes in your situation

If cancelled, you may need to reapply. If suspended (for example, due to temporary work), you may request reinstatement once you meet the requirements again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Disability Support Pension?

The Disability Support Pension is a government payment that provides financial support to Australians with a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that stops them from working 15 hours or more per week for at least two years .

Who can qualify for the Disability Support Pension?

To qualify for the Disability Support Pension, you must meet both non-medical and medical criteria. You must be an Australian resident under Age Pension age, meet income and asset tests, and have a permanent, diagnosed, treated, and stabilised medical condition .

How many points do I need to qualify for DSP under the Impairment Tables?

You must score at least 20 points across the Impairment Tables . Each table assesses how your condition affects your ability to work. In some cases, you may qualify automatically under the manifest medical rules .

What are the manifest medical rules?

The manifest medical rules allow some people to receive the Disability Support Pension without a full medical assessment if their condition is clearly severe and permanent — such as terminal illness, permanent blindness, or an intellectual disability with an IQ of less than 70 .

How do I apply for the Disability Support Pension?

You can apply online through your myGov account linked to Centrelink, or by completing the paper form SA466 – Claim for Disability Support Pension . You’ll need to provide medical evidence and identification documents.

How long does it take to process a Disability Support Pension claim?

Processing times vary depending on your case. Most DSP claims are processed within 6 to 12 weeks . Make sure your medical evidence is complete to help avoid delays.

Can I work while receiving the Disability Support Pension?

Yes, you can work up to 29 hours per week without losing your eligibility, as long as your medical condition and work capacity remain consistent with DSP rules . Your payment may reduce based on income.

What’s the difference between DSP and JobSeeker Payment?

The Disability Support Pension is for people with a permanent disability or condition that prevents them from working long-term. JobSeeker Payment is for people who are temporarily unemployed or recovering and actively seeking work.

References

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about the Disability Support Pension and other Centrelink payments. We are an independent publisher and are not affiliated with Services Australia, Centrelink, or any Australian Government department, and we cannot access or change your personal Centrelink record.

Rates, thresholds and rules are set by the Australian Government and can change without notice. This article was updated in July 2026 — always confirm current details at servicesaustralia.gov.au. See our full Disclaimer.