Your impairment is how your disability or medical condition affects your ability to function each day.
How we use Impairment Tables
We assess your impairment using the Impairment Tables on the Social Services website. These Tables are part of social security law for DSP.
New Tables started from 1 April 2023 and are used to assess DSP claims submitted on, or after this date. Read more about the new Impairment Tables on the Federal Register of Legislation website.
The previous Tables still apply to DSP claims submitted before 1 April 2023. This includes reviews and appeals for a DSP claim submitted before 1 April 2023.
Details about the review of the DSP impairment Tables and a summary of changes are available on the Department of Social Services website.
We use the Tables to:
- assess any conditions you have that are diagnosed, reasonably treated and stabilised
- assess the effect those conditions have on your ability to work
- assign impairment ratings.
Some Impairment Tables have specific diagnosis and specialist medical evidence requirements.
How the impairment rating affects your claim
The impairment rating helps us assess if you meet the general medical rules for DSP.
To meet these rules, you need to have either:
- an impairment rating of 20 points or more on a single Impairment Table
- 20 points or more in total on more than one Impairment Table and meet the Program of Support rules.
If you meet the impairment rating for DSP, we also assess your ability to work.
If we assess your total impairment rating is less than 20 points, you won’t be eligible for DSP.
Example of not meeting the 20 point impairment rating
Following a boating accident, Anne’s leg was amputated. During her rehabilitation, Anne was fitted with a prosthetic limb. Anne can walk without help from another person, though sometimes she uses a walking stick when she gets tired. Anne applies for DSP after she loses her job.
Our assessor uses Anne’s medical evidence to determine that Anne’s condition is diagnosed, reasonably treated and stabilised. The assessor then considers the impact of Anne’s condition against the descriptions in the Impairment Tables.
Anne can walk independently and use public transport without help from another person. As a result, she doesn’t get 20 points under the Impairment Tables. Anne can’t get DSP.
Anne can get help to find or retrain for a suitable job. We refer Anne to Disability Employment Services, which help people with disability, illness or injury find and keep a job.