Social Security (Poverty Traps Reduction) Act 1985 (Cth)
Section
1. Short title, &c.
2. Commencement
3. Rate of age or invalid pension
4. Calculation of income in respect of children
5. Omission of heading
6. Repeal of section 30a and substitution of new section—
30. Rent assistance
7. Notification by pensioner
8. Rate of wife’s pension
9. Receipt of income or occurrence of event to be notified
10. Inmates of benevolent homes
11. Rate of widow’s pension
12. Calculation of income in respect of children
13. Omission of heading
14. Repeal of section 65a and substitution of new section—
65. Rent assistance
15. Notification by widow
16. Receipt of income or occurrence of an event to be notified
17. Inmates of benevolent homes
18. Application of certain provisions
19. Interpretation
20. Rent assistance
21. Income test
22. Interpretation
23. Notification
24. Persons eligible to be paid rehabilitation allowance
25. Rate of rehabilitation allowance
26. Payment and calculation of instalments of certain pensions, &c.
TABLE
OF PROVISIONS—
Section
27. Payments received under the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme—effect where recipient is in receipt of a particular pension benefit or allowance and spouse of recipient is not in receipt of wife’s pension or carer’s pension
28. Payments received under the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme—effect where spouse of recipient is in receipt of wife’s pension or carer’s pension
29. Application of amendments
30. Transitional
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BE IT ENACTED by the Queen, and the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:
(a) by inserting in paragraph (1d) (a) “or section 30” after “subsection (1aa) or (1b)”;
(b) by inserting in paragraph (1d) (a) “and section 30” after “subsections (1aa) and (1b)”;
(c) by omitting from paragraph (1D) (b) “payable” and substituting “applicable”;
(d) by inserting in paragraph (1d) (b) “or by an amount under section 30,” after “sub-section (1b),” (first occurring);
(e) by inserting in paragraph (1d) (b) “or section 30,” after “subsection (1b),” (last occurring);
(f) by omitting from paragraph (1d) (b) “that would, in accordance with sub-section (2aaa), be taken to be included in, or to make up,” and substituting “that comprises”;
(g) by omitting from sub-paragraph (2) (a) (i) “$1,560” and substituting “$2,080”;
(h) by omitting from sub-paragraph (2) (a) (ii) “$1,300” and substituting “$1,820”;
(j) by omitting sub-section (2aaa); and
(k) by inserting after sub-section (2ad) the following sub-section:
“(3) Where—
(a) the rate of pension applicable to a person is increased under this section, under section 30 or under this section and under section 30; and
(b) the rate of that pension is to be reduced under sub-section (2) of this section,
that sub-section shall be applied first to the rate of that pension apart from any increase under this section or under section 30, then to the amount of any increase under section 30 and then to the amount of any increase under this section.”.
(a) by omitting from paragraph (a) “$312” and substituting “$624”; and
(b) by omitting from paragraph (b) “$156” and substituting “$312”.
“30. (1) Subject to this Part, this section applies to a person who is qualified to receive a pension under this Part, in respect of any period during which—
(a) the person pays, or is liable to pay, rent at a rate exceeding $520 per annum;
(b) the person is not and, if the person is a married person and the person’s spouse is living with the person in their home, the spouse is not, eligible to receive an incentive allowance under section 26 or 133ja; and
(c) the person is in Australia.
“(2) For the purposes of the application of this section to a married person—
(a) where the person’s spouse is living with the person in their home-any rent that the spouse pays, or is liable to pay, in respect of that home shall be deemed to be paid, or payable, by the person; and
(b) where a direction is in force under sub-section 28 (1aaa) or sub-section 32 (1a) in respect of the person—any rent that the person’s spouse pays, or is liable to pay, in respect of the premises occupied by the person shall be deemed to be paid, or payable, by the person.
“(3) Subject to sub-section (4), where this section applies to a person, the maximum rate of pension applicable to the person shall be increased by an amount per annum equal to—
(a) 50% of the amount by which the amount of the annual rent paid, or payable, by the person exceeds $520; or
(b) $780,
whichever is the lesser amount.
“(4) Where this section applies to a married person—
(a) whose spouse is living with the person in their home; and
(b) to whose spouse there is payable a prescribed pension (other than a benefit under Part VII) the rate of which is increased by reference to an amount of rent paid, or payable, by the person,
the amount of any increase in the maximum rate of pension applicable to the person under sub-section (3) shall be reduced by 50%.”.
7. Section 30b of the Principal Act is amended—
(a) by omitting from sub-sections (1) and (1a) “in receipt of an allowance under section 30a” and substituting “the rate of whose pension is increased under section 30”;
(b) by omitting paragraphs (1) (b) and (c) and substituting the following word and paragraph:
“or (b) has the rate of that rent reduced,”;
(c) by omitting from sub-section (1) “, the date on which his rate of rent was reduced or the last day of the period referred to in paragraph (c)” and substituting “or the date on which that reduction took place”; and
(d) by omitting sub-section (2).
(a) by omitting from paragraph (2) (a) “$1,300” and substituting “$1,820”; and
(b) by adding at the end the following sub-section:
“(3) Where—
(a) the rate of a wife’s pension applicable to a wife is increased under this section, under section 30 or under this section and under section 30; and
(b) the rate of that pension is to be reduced under sub-section (2) of this section,
that sub-section shall be applied first to the rate of that pension apart from any increase under this section or under section 30, then to the amount of any increase under section 30 and then to the amount of any increase under this section.”.
(a) by omitting paragraph (1) (c) and substituting the following paragraph:
“(c) is not a person in receipt of a pension the rate of which is increased under section 30,”;
(b) by omitting from sub-section (1) “$30” and substituting “$40”;
(c) by omitting sub-paragraph (2) (a) (iii) and substituting the following sub-paragraph:
“(iii) is not a person in receipt of a pension the rate of which is increased under section 30; and”; and
(d) by omitting from sub-section (2) “$50” and substituting “$70”.
(a) by omitting from paragraph (2) (a) “$1,560” and substituting “$2,080”; and
(b) by adding at the end the following sub-section:
“(4) Where the rate of a widow’s pension applicable to a class A widow or a class B widow is to be reduced under sub-section (2) of this section, that sub-section shall be applied first to that part of the rate of that pension that is calculated by reference to paragraph 28 (1) (a), then to the amount of any increase under section 65 and then to that part of the rate of that pension (if any) calculated by reference to sub-section 28 (1aa) or (1b).”.
“65. (1) Subject to this Part, this section applies to a widow who is qualified to receive a pension under this Part in respect of any period during which—
(a) the widow pays, or is liable to pay, rent at a rate exceeding $520 per annum; and
(b) the widow is in Australia.
“(2) Where this section applies to a widow, the maximum rate of pension under this Part applicable to the widow shall be increased by an amount per annum equal to—
(a) 50% of the amount by which the amount of the annual rent paid, or payable, by the widow exceeds $520; or
(b) $780,
whichever is the lesser amount.”.
(a) by omitting “in receipt of an allowance under section 65a” (wherever occurring) and substituting “the rate of whose pension is increased under section 65”;
(b) by omitting paragraphs (1) (b) and (c) and substituting the following word and paragraph:
“or (b) has the rate of that rent reduced,”; and
(c) by omitting from sub-section (1) “, the date on which the rate of her rent was reduced or the last day of the period referred to in paragraph (c)” and substituting “or the date on which that reduction took place”.
(a) by omitting from sub-section (1) “an allowance under section 65a” and substituting “a pension the rate of which is increased under section 65”; and
(b) by omitting from sub-section (1) “$30” and substituting “$40”.
(a) by omitting “3a,”; and
(b) by adding at the end the following sub-section:
“(2) Where the rate of a supporting parent’s benefit payable to a person is increased by reference to section 30 or 65, section 30bor 65B, as the case may be, applies in relation to the person.”.
(a) by omitting “and includes an allowance under this Part” from the definition of “benefit” in sub-section (1); and
(b) by omitting from sub-section (1) the definition of “rent assistance”.
(a) by omitting paragraph (b) of the definition of “prescribed period” in sub-section (1) and substituting the following paragraph:
“(b) in relation to a person who is qualified to receive a sickness benefit in respect of a period and who, immediately before becoming qualified to receive that benefit, was receiving—
(i) an incentive allowance under section 26 or 133ja; or
(ii) a prescribed pension the rate of which was calculated by reference to rent paid, or payable, by the person or to an incentive allowance under section 26 or 133ja,
any part of that period in respect of which the person pays, or is liable to pay, rent at a weekly rate exceeding $10;”;
(b) by omitting “or a special benefit” from paragraphs (c) and (d) of the definition of “prescribed period” in sub-section (1); and
(c) by omitting sub-sections (3), (3aa), (3a), (3b), (3C) and (4) and substituting the following sub-sections:
“(3) Subject to this Part, where a person—
(a) who is qualified to receive an unemployment benefit or a sickness benefit;
(b) who is in Australia;
(c) if the person is a married person who is living with his or her spouse in their home—whose spouse is not in receipt of—
(i) an incentive allowance under section 26 or 133ja; or
(ii) a prescribed pension (other than a benefit) the rate of which is calculated by reference to rent paid, or payable, by the person or to an incentive allowance under section 26 or 133ja; and
(d) if the benefit is an unemployment benefit—
(i) who is over the age of 25 years;
(ii) who is a married person or who has a dependant; or
(iii) who is over the age of 18 years and living permanently or indefinitely away from the principal home of each parent of the person,
this section applies to the person in respect of any period that is a prescribed period in relation to the person.
“(4) Subject to sub-section (5), where this section applies to a person, the amount of benefit applicable to the person shall be increased by an amount per week equal to—
(a) in the case of a person who is qualified to receive a sickness benefit—
(i) 50% of the amount by which the amount of the weekly rent paid, or payable, by the person exceeds $10; or
(ii) $15;
whichever is the lesser amount; or
(b) in the case of a person who is qualified to receive an unemployment benefit—
(i) 50% of the amount by which the amount of the weekly rent paid, or payable, by the person exceeds $10; or
(ii) $10,
whichever is the lesser amount.
“(5) Where this section applies to a married person—
(a) whose spouse is living with the person in their home; and
(b) to whose spouse this section also applies,
the amount of any increase in the amount of benefit applicable to the person under sub-section (4) shall be reduced by 50%.”.
“(4) Where—
(a) the rate of an unemployment or sickness benefit applicable to a person under sub-sections 112 (1), (2), (3) and (4) is increased under another sub-section of section 112, under section 112A or under such another sub-section and under 112A; and
(b) the rate of that benefit is to be reduced under this section,
this section shall be applied first to the rate of that benefit apart from any increase, then to the amount of any increase under section 112a and then to the amount of any other increase.”.
“115. (1) In this Division, ‘sickness benefit’ includes so much of any amount paid to a person by way of a rehabilitation allowance under Part VIII as, in the opinion of the Secretary, would have been payable to the person by way of sickness benefit in respect of a relevant incapacity if that rehabilitation allowance had not become payable to the person.”.
(a) by omitting from sub-paragraph (1) (a) (i) “(including any amount by way of rent assistance or incentive allowance)”;
(b) by omitting from sub-paragraph (1) (a) (ii) “(including any amount by way of rent assistance or incentive allowance)”;
(c) by omitting from sub-paragraph (1) (b) (i) “or 30a”;
(d) by omitting from sub-paragraph (1) (b) (ii) “or 30a”; and
(e) by omitting from sub-section (2) “(other than an allowance by way of rent assistance)”.
(a) by omitting “, 30aor 65a” from the definition of “allowance” in sub-section (1);
(b) by omitting from sub-section (1) the definition of “relevant combination of instalments”;
(c) by omitting sub-section (9) and substituting the following subsection:
“(9) Subject to sub-section (10), the amount of an instalment of a pension shall be ascertained by dividing the amount of the annual rate of the pension by 26.”.
(d) by omitting from sub-sub-paragraph (10) (b) (ii) (a) “$1,300” and substituting “$1,820”;
(e) by omitting from sub-sub-paragraph (10) (b) (ii) (b) “$2,132” and substituting “$2,652”;
(f) by omitting from paragraph (10A) (d) “$2,132” and substituting “$2,652”;
(g) by omitting from paragraph (10a) (d) “$2,028” and substituting “$2,548”; and
(h) by omitting sub-sections (12), (13) and (14) and substituting the following sub-sections:
“(12) Where an amount that is payable to a person on a pension pay-day in accordance with this section is not a multiple of 10 cents, the amount shall be increased or decreased to the nearest multiple of 10 cents except where the amount is a multiple of 5 cents in which case it shall be increased by 5 cents.
“(13) If an amount that is payable to a person on a pension payday in accordance with this section is less than $1, the amount shall be increased to $1.”.
(a) by omitting sub-paragraphs (1) (a) (i), (ii) and (iii) and substituting the following sub-paragraphs:
“(i) an instalment of a pension under Part III or an instalment of a pension under Part III and of an allowance under section 26;
(ii) an instalment of a pension under Part IV;
(iii) an instalment of a benefit under Part IVaaa;”; and
(b) by omitting paragraph (1) (c) and substituting the following paragraph:
“(c) in a case where the person is a married person, the spouse of the person is not entitled to receive, during that period, an instalment of a wife’s pension or an instalment of a carer’s pension in respect of the person’s spouse.”.
(a) by omitting sub-sub-paragraph (1) (a) (i) (a) and substituting the following sub-sub-paragraph:
“(a) an instalment of a pension under Part III;”;
(b) by omitting paragraph (1) (b) and substituting the following paragraph:
“(b) the wife is entitled to receive, during that pension period, a payment being an instalment of a wife’s pension or an instalment of a carer’s pension in respect of the person’s spouse.”;
(c) by omitting sub-sub-paragraph (2) (a) (i) (a) and substituting the following sub-sub-paragraph:
“(a) an instalment of a pension under Part III;”; and
(d) by omitting paragraph (2) (b) and substituting the following paragraph:
“(b) the husband is entitled to receive during that period an instalment of a carer’s pension.”.
(a) immediately before the commencement of this section, an allowance was payable to a person under sub-section 22 (2) of the
Social Services Amendment Act 1981 ; and(b) the person is or becomes eligible to receive an increase in the rate of pension, benefit or allowance payable to the person under section
30, 65 or 112a of the Principal Act as amended by this Act, and the amount of that increase is greater than the amount of the allowance referred to in paragraph (a),
sub-section
22 (2) of the
(a) immediately before the commencement of this section, an allowance was payable to a person under sub-section 22 (2) of the
Social Services Amendment Act 1981; and(b) the person is or becomes eligible to receive an increase in the rate of pension, benefit or allowance payable to the person under section 30, 65 or 112a of the Principal Act as amended by this Act, and the amount of that increase is less than or equal to the amount of the allowance referred to in paragraph (a),
sub-section
22 (2) of the
1. No. 26, 1947, as amended. For previous amendments, see Nos. 38 and 69, 1948; No. 16, 1949; Nos. 6 and 26, 1950; No. 22, 1951; Nos. 41 and 107, 1952; No. 51, 1953; No. 30, 1954; Nos. 15 and 38, 1955; Nos. 67 and 98, 1956; No. 46, 1957; No. 44, 1958; No. 57, 1959; No. 45, 1961; Nos. 1 and 95, 1962; No. 46, 1963; Nos. 3 and 63, 1964; Nos. 57 and 152, 1965; No. 41, 1966; Nos. 10 and 61, 1967; No. 65, 1968; No. 94, 1969; Nos. 2 and 59, 1970; Nos. 16 and 67, 1971; Nos. 1, 14, 53 and 79, 1972; Nos. 1, 26, 48, 103 and 216, 1973; Nos. 2, 23 and 91, 1974; Nos. 34, 56 101 and 110, 1975; Nos. 26, 62 and 111, 1976; No. 159, 1977; No. 128, 1978; No. 121, 1979 (as amended by Nos. 37 and 98, 1982); No. 130, 1980; Nos. 61 and 170, 1981; No. 159, 1981 (as amended by No. 98, 1982); Nos. 37, 38 and 148, 1982; Nos. 4 and 36, 1983; No. 69, 1983 (as amended by No. 78, 1984); Nos. 46, 78, 93, 120, 134 and 165, 1984; and Nos. 24, 52, 95 and 127, 1985.
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House of Representatives on 16 October 1985
Senate on 3 December 1985
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