Kucukakyuz and Secretary, Department of Social Services (Social services second review)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered an appeal by Ms Kucukakyuz against a decision by the Secretary, Department of Social Services to affirm a decision that she was not entitled to a disability support pension. The dispute concerned whether Ms Kucukakyuz's medical conditions met the criteria for the pension under the relevant impairment tables.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether Ms Kucukakyuz's spinal condition and mental health condition were fully diagnosed, treated, and stabilised, as required by the Social Security Act 1991 (Cth) and the associated impairment tables. This assessment would then inform whether her level of impairment met the threshold for a disability support pension.

The Tribunal affirmed the decision under review. It was noted that if Ms Kucukakyuz's circumstances change in the future, she retains the right to lodge a new application for the disability support pension.