If you are a youth or long-term payment recipient, you may be able to get an exemption from enhanced Income Management. If you’re exempt, enhanced Income Management will stop for 12 months unless your circumstances change.
If you don't have dependent children
If you don’t have dependent children, you may be exempt if one of these apply. You:
- are a full time student or apprentice
- had less than 25% of your basic rate of payment for at least 4 of the last 6 fortnights
- get Special Benefit and are 16 or older.
If you have dependent children
If you have dependent children, you may be exempt if all of these apply:
- we’re satisfied you’re not financially vulnerable
- your children’s immunisations are up to date
- your children are participating in appropriate activities.
We’ll tell you what evidence you need to give us to get an exemption. This will depend on the age of your children, and could include:
- immunisation records
- a report from a medical practitioner or nurse
- a report from an allied health professional such as a speech, occupational or physical therapist
- evidence they attend preschool, school or childcare services.
You’ll need to get an absentee report from your child’s school. We may need more information if attendance is not regular.
You will have 28 days to provide evidence if we ask for it.
If your partner wants an exemption, they will need to ask for one themselves.
How to apply
If you would like to apply for an exemption from enhanced Income Management, call the SmartCard eIM hotline.