Income and assets tests

The amount of Disability Support Pension (DSP) you can get depends on your assessable income and assets.

Income test

You can earn some income and still get DSP. The amount depends on how much you earn.

Read more about the income test for DSP.

Assets test

You can have some assets and still get DSP. The amount depends on how much your assets are worth.

Read more about the assets test for DSP.

Asset hardship provisions

Asset hardship provisions could apply if you’re in severe financial hardship and you either:

  • can’t get a payment from us because your assets are over the asset test cut off point
  • have had your payment reduced under the assets test.

Exemptions

You may not be subject to the income or assets test if you’re permanently blind, unless either:

Compensation

The amount we pay you could change if you or your partner get paid for compensation for damages.

Income maintenance period

If you’ve recently stopped working, an income maintenance period may apply. For this period, you may get a reduced payment rate or you may not get any payment.

Page last updated: 6 July 2023.
QC 39866