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2010-2011-2012
THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SOCIAL SECURITY AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (INCOME SUPPORT
AND OTHER MEASURES) BILL 2012
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the
Honourable Bill Shorten MP)
SOCIAL SECURITY AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (INCOME
SUPPORT AND OTHER MEASURES) BILL 2012
GENERAL OUTLINE
The Bill implements the income support measures that form part of the broader reforms in the
Building Australia's Future Workforce Package announced in the 2011-12 Budget which
aims to encourage more participation in work and other activities, better align the treatment of
different recipients, and make the system fairer.
The Bill includes amendments to the Social Security Act 1991 (the SS Act) and the Social
Security (Administration) Act 1999 (Administration Act) related to the following Building
Australia's Future Workforce (BAFW) measures:
· Changes to the eligibility criteria for youth allowance (other) and newstart allowance;
· Incentives for single parents and parenting payment reforms; and
· Streamlining services for job seekers - alignment of daily penalty amounts.
These measures were announced to come into effect on 1 July 2012 in the case of the changes
related to youth allowance (other) and job seeker compliance penalties, and on 1 January
2013 in the case of the parenting payment and related changes.
In addition, but unrelated to the BAFW package, the Bill makes a minor amendment to the
Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 (IETA Act) to increase the
appropriation associated with the extension of the Student Education Trusts measure as part
of the Cape York Welfare Reform Trials.
Changes to the eligibility criteria for youth allowance (other) and newstart allowance
The first measure in this Bill will amend the SS Act to so that from 1 July 2012 unemployed
21 year olds may be eligible for youth allowance. Currently these young people may be
eligible for newstart allowance when they turn 21.
To encourage young people to take up work, the Bill will amend the income free area value
from $62 a fortnight to $143 a fortnight for all youth allowance (other) recipients. In addition
the working credit limit value will be increased from $1000 to $3500 for the same group of
young people.
This Bill will also extend early school leaver participation requirements (Earn or Learn), for
recipients of youth allowance who have not achieved a Year 12 or equivalent qualification, to
21 year olds.
As a consequence of these changes, the Bill will also amend the ages referred to in various
payments, supplements and payment calculators to align with the age changes for youth
allowance and newstart allowance including:
· increasing the age at which a person will cease to be qualified for Youth Disability
Supplement from 21 to 22 years;
· increasing the minimum qualification age for Sickness Allowance from 21 to 22
years; and
· increasing the minimum qualification age for the Long Term Income Support rate for
students from 21 to 22 years.
The Bill includes transitional provisions for existing 21 year old recipients of newstart
allowance to continue to receive their current payments.
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Incentives for single parents and parenting payment reforms
The second measure in the Bill will enact changes to the eligibility rules for "grandfathered"
parenting payment recipients; those recipients who have been continuously receiving
parenting payment since before 1 July 2006. Currently grandfathered recipients can receive
parenting payment until their youngest child turns 16 years provided that child was in their
care before 1 July 2011. Since 1 July 2011 any new child born to, or coming into the care of,
a grandfathered parenting payment recipient no longer extends that recipient's grandfathered
status.
From 1 January 2013, grandfathered recipients will cease to be eligible for parenting payment
when their youngest eligible child (in their care before 1 July 2011) turns:
· 16 years if the child was born before 1 January 2000;
· 13 years if the child was born between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2000; or
· 12 years if the child was born on or after 1 January 2001.
These changes for parenting payment recipients whose youngest child is aged 12 to 15 years
will make eligibility for income support more consistent with the treatment of other parents.
In addition, for single principal carer parents receiving newstart allowance, the current dual
income test taper rate of 50 and 60 cents in the dollar will be replaced from 1 January 2013
with a more generous taper rate of 40 cents in the dollar for income above the income free
area of $62 per fortnight. This will provide a strong incentive for parents to re-engage in the
workforce and will more generously reward single parents who are working.
Job seeker reconnection penalties
The third measure in the Bill will amend the Administration Act by aligning, from 1 July
2012, the daily penalty rates for reconnection and no show no penalties at one-tenth of a job
seeker's fortnightly participation payment.
. Aligning the rate at one-tenth will simplify the compliance framework and make the system
fairer for job seekers by not penalising them for not connecting during weekends where
providers are not available.
Student Education Trusts
The Student Education Trusts are a financial management service whereby parents and care-
givers from the remote Indigenous communities of Aurukun, Coen, Hope Vale and Mossman
Gorge on Cape York in Far North Queensland are supported and encouraged to save or their
children's education costs from the early years through to tertiary education.
The Bill amends the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 to provide
additional funding for the Student Education Trusts measure as part of the 12 months
extension of the Cape York Welfare Reform Trials announced on 10 May 2011.
Other changes
The Bill also amends the SS Act to facilitate the measures and make amendments of a
technical nature.
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FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Schedule 1 - Age requirements for social security payments, Schedule 2 - Income test
for youth allowance, Schedule 5 - Working credit balances
These Schedules amend the SS Act to implement various changes related to youth allowance
(other).
Year Expense ($ million)
2011-12 9.8
2012-13 -47.4
2013-14 -72.5
2014-15 -76.3
TOTAL: -186.4
Schedule 3 - Income Test for newstart allowance, Schedule 4 - Claims for newstart
allowance, Schedule 6 - Parenting payment transitional arrangement
These Schedules amend the SS Act to implement various changes related to parenting
payment and the newstart allowance income test.
Year Expense ($ million)
2011-12 2.9
2012-13 19.0
2013-14 11.5
2014-15 -6.8
TOTAL: 26.7
Schedule 7 - Penalty for reconnection failures
This Schedule amends the SS Act to align daily penalty rates for reconnection failures.
Year Expense ($ million)
2011-12 1.197
2012-13 0.056
2013-14 -0.021
2014-15 -0.023
TOTAL: 1.209
Schedule 8 - Extension of Cape York Welfare Reform Trials
This Schedule amends the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 to provide
the appropriation to fund the 12 months extension of the Student Education Trusts
measure as part of the extension of the Cape York Welfare Reform Trials.
Year Expense ($)
2012 $681,000
Note: Total expenditure for schedules are rounded
4
SOCIAL SECURITY AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT
(INCOME SUPPORT AND OTHER MEASURES) BILL 2012
For ease of description, this Explanatory Memorandum uses the following
abbreviations:
`Administration Act' means the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999.
`Bill' means this Bill, i.e. the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Income
Support and Other Measures) Bill 2011.
`SS Act' means the Social Security Act 1991.
Clause 1 - Short Title
This clause provides for the Bill, when enacted, to be cited as the Social Security
Legislation Amendment (Income Support and Other Measures) Act 2012.
Clause 2 - Commencement
This clause inserts a three column table setting out commencement information for
various provisions of the Act. Each provision of the Act specified in column 1 of the
table commences (or is taken to have commenced) in accordance with column 2 of the
table and any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.
Table item 1 provides that sections 1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere
covered by this table shall commence on Royal Assent.
Table item 2 provides that Schedules 1 and 2 shall commence on 1 July 2012.
Table item 3 provides that Schedule 3 shall commence on 1 January 2013.
Table item 4 provides that schedule 4 shall commence on Royal Assent.
Table item 5 provides that Schedule 5 shall commence on 1 July 2012.
Table item 6 provides that Schedule 6 shall commence on Royal Assent.
Table item 7 provides that Schedule 7 shall commence on 1 July 2012.
Table item 8 provides that Schedule 8 shall commence on Royal Assent.
Clause 3 - Schedule(s)
This clause provides that each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Bill is
amended or repealed as set out in applicable items of the Schedule concerned, and any
other item in a Schedule to the Bill has effect according to its terms.
5
Schedule 1--Age requirements for social security
payments
Social Security Act 1991
The amendments made by Schedule 1 change the eligibility criteria in relation to age
requirements for youth allowance and newstart allowance.
Under the proposed amendments, the maximum age for youth allowance for non-
students will increase from 21 to 22 years. Once a person has attained the amended
maximum age (i.e. 22) they will not longer be of `youth allowance age' for the
purposes of the SS Act.
For newstart allowance, the minimum qualification age will be increased from 21 to
22 years under the proposed amendments.
Item 1 - Paragraphs 19C(8)(b) and (c)
Item 1 amends the definition of maximum payment rate in relation to newstart
allowance and youth allowance under paragraphs 19C(8)(b) and (c) of the SS Act
respectively.
Paragraph 19C(8)(b) provides that in relation to newstart allowance for special benefit
where the person has turned 21 years, Step 4 of the Method statement in Module A of
the applicable rate calculator is to be used to calculate the person's maximum
payment rate.
Paragraph 19C(8)(c) provides that in relation to youth allowance for special benefit
where the person has not reached the age of 21 years, Step 4 of the Method statement
in Module A of the youth allowance Rate Calculator in section 1067G is to be used to
calculate the person maximum payment rate.
Under this amendment, the age requirement in relation to determining the maximum
payment rate for special benefit in relation to newstart allowance and youth allowance
is increased from 21 to 22 years.
Item 2 - Subsection 23(1) (paragraph (a) of the definition of early school
leaver)
Item 2 amends the definition of early school leaver under subsection 23(1) of the SS
Act.
Currently the term early school leaver is defined to mean a person who is less than 21
years old, who has not completed the final year of secondary school (or an equivalent
level of education) and is not undertaking full-time study.
Under this amendment, the age requirement is increased from 21 to 22 years old.
6
Item 3 - Subsection 543B(1)
To be qualified for youth allowance a person needs to be of youth allowance age. A
person is of youth allowance age if they have attained the minimum age for youth
allowance and not yet attained the maximum age for youth allowance.
Item 3 amends the maximum age for youth allowance under section 543B of the SS
Act.
Currently subsection 543B(1) provides, among other things, that any person who is at
least 21 years old and who is in one of the following categories has reached the
maximum age for youth allowance:
· is not undertaking full-time study, or
· is undertaking full-time study in respect of a course of education that is to last
for less than 12 months and was immediately before starting the course of
education receiving newstart allowance; or
· is not a new apprentice.
Under the amendments made by Item 3, the maximum age for youth allowance in
relation to a person who is in each of the above categories is increased from 21 to 22
years. That is, where the amendments apply a person will cease to be qualified for
youth allowance at age 22, instead of age 21.
Items 4 and 5 - Subparagraphs 593(1)(g)(i), (1B)(b)(i) and (1D)(b)(i)
Item 4 and 5 amend the qualification criteria for newstart allowance under section 593
of the SS Act.
Currently subsection 593(1) provides, among other things, that a person is qualified
for a newstart allowance in respect of a period if throughout the period the person is at
least 21 years of age and has not reached the pension age. Subsections 593(1B) and
593(1D) also provide that a person is qualified for newstart allowance in respect of
certain periods if, among other things, the person is at least 21 years of age and has
not reached the pension age.
The amendments made by Item 4 and 5 have the effect of increasing the lower age
limit for qualification for newstart allowance from 21 to 22 years.
Item 6 - Paragraph 666(1)(e)
Item 6 amends the qualification criteria for sickness allowance under section 666 of
the SS Act.
Section 666 provides that a person is qualified for sickness allowance in respect of a
period if, among other criteria, before the relevant period begins the person has turned
21.
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Under the amendment, Item 6 increases the age requirement from 21 to 22 years.
Item 7 - Section 1067F
Item 7 amends the definition of long term income support student under section
1067F of the SS Act.
Section 1067F provides, among other criteria, that a person is a long term income
support student if the person is at least 21 years.
Under the amendment, Item 7 increases the age requirement from 21 to 22 years.
Item 7 also increases the age references in subparagraphs 1067F(1)(c)(i) and
1067F(1)(c)(ii) to 22.
Item 8 - Paragraph 1067G-D1(b)
Item 8 amends the criteria for qualification for youth disability supplement under
paragraph 1067G-D1(b) of the SS Act.
Section 1067G-D1 provides that an amount for youth disability supplement can be
added to a person's payment of youth allowance if the person has a partial capacity to
work and has not turned 21 years of age.
Under this amendment, Item 8 increases the age requirement from 21 to 22 years of
age.
Items 9, 10, 11 and 12 - Paragraphs 1067G-H26(a) and (b), 1067L-D25(a)
and (b), 1068-G9(a) and (b), and 1068B-D22(a) and (b)
Items 9 to 12, inclusive, make amendments paragraphs 1067G-H26(a) and (b),
1067L-D25(a) and (b), 1068-G9(a) and (b), and 1068B-D22(a) and (b) of the SS Act
which variously provide for the partner income free area.
Sections 1067G-H26, 1067L-D25, 1068-G9, and 1068B-D22 respectively provide for
the method of determining the partner income free area in relation to a person. The
partner income free area is the maximum amount of ordinary income the person's
partner can earn without affecting the person's benefit.
Currently, if the person's partner is not receiving a social security benefit, this amount
will differ according to whether or not the person's partner has turned 21.
Under these amendments to Items 9, 10, 11 and 12, the reference to 21 will be
replaced with 22. .
8
Item 13 - Section 1190 (table item 4A, column 2)
The table under section 1190 sets out the amounts which are to be indexed or adjusted
in accordance with the SS Act. Column 2 of the table sets out the relevant description
of amounts affected by section 1190. Table item 4A specifies that amounts of youth
disability supplement shall be indexed and adjusted.
Currently, the Description of table item 4A in Column 2 of the table provides that
youth disability supplement is payable to a disability support pensioner, or to a
recipient of youth allowance, who is under 21.
The amendment made by Item 13 replaces the reference to 21 with 22 for youth
allowance recipients.
Item 14 - Application - persons in severe financial hardship
Item 14 is an application provision in relation to the amendment made by Item 1
regarding paragraphs 19C(8)(b) and (c). Item 14 makes clear that the application of
this amendment shall only apply in relation to whether a person is in severe financial
hardship for days on or after 1 July 2012.
Item 15 - Application - youth allowance
Subitem 15(1) is an application provision in relation to the amendments in Items 2
and 3 regarding subsections 23(1) and 543B(1) unless subitems 15(2) or (3) apply.
Subitem (1) makes clear that those amendments shall only apply in relation to
working out a person's eligibility for youth allowance for days occurring on or after 1
July 2012.
Subitem 15(2) provides that, in relation to a person who was aged 21 on 30 June 2012
and was either receiving a newstart allowance immediately before 1 July 2012 or
whose newstart allowance was suspended immediately before 1 July 2012, the
amendments in Items 2 and 3 do not apply to that person during the period beginning
on 1 July 2012 and ending on the day on which the payment of their newstart
allowance is cancelled. Subitem (2) ensures that a person who is 21 and receiving a
newstart allowance immediately prior to the amendments is not affected by the
amendments in Items 2 and 3 prior to any cancellation of their newstart allowance.
However, if their newstart allowance is cancelled, the amendments in Items 2 and 3
will apply to that person after that cancellation.
Subitem 15(3) provides that if a person was granted a newstart allowance under the
Administration Act prior to 1 July 2012, and if their start date for the allowance under
clause 5 of Schedule 2 to that Act is on or after 1 July 2012, Items 2 and 3 to not
apply to that person during the period beginning on 1 July 2012 and ending on the day
on which the payment of their newstart allowance is cancelled. This is to ensure that a
person who was deemed eligible for a newstart allowance prior to 1 July 2012, but
whose allowance was to begin after that date is not affected by the amendments in
Items 2 and 3 prior to any cancellation of their newstart allowance. However, if their
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newstart allowance is cancelled, the amendments in Items 2 and 3 will apply to that
person after that cancellation.
Subitem 15(4) is an application provision in respect of the amendment made by Item
7 regarding paragraphs 1067F(1)(a) and 1067F(2)(a). Subitem (4) makes clear that,
subject to subitem(5), the application of the amendment is that it shall only apply in
relation to working out the rate of youth allowance for days occurring on or after 1
July 2012.
Subitem 15(5) provides that the amendment in item 7 does not apply to a person who
was aged 21 on 30 June 2012, and was receiving a youth allowance immediately
before 1 July 2012, or whose youth allowance was suspended immediately before 1
July 2012. Subitem (5) ensures that those who are 21 and were receiving youth
allowance immediately prior to the amendments are not affected.
Subitem 15(6) is an application provision in relation to the amendment in item 8
regarding paragraph 1067G-D1(b). Subitem (6) makes clear that the application of the
amendment is that it shall only apply in relation to working out the rate of youth
allowance for days occurring on or after 1 July 2012.
Item 16 - Application - newstart allowance
Subitem 16(1) is an application provision in relation to the amendments made by
Items 4 and 5 regarding subparagraphs 593(1)(g)(i), 593(1B)(b)(i), and 593(1D)(b)(i)
unless subitems 16(2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) apply. Subitem (1) makes clear that subject
to Item 16, the application of the amendments shall apply in relation to determining
eligibility for newstart allowance for days occurring on or after 1 July 2012.
Subitem 16(2) provides that, in relation to a person who was aged 21 on 30 June 2012
and was either receiving a newstart allowance immediately before 1 July 2012 or
whose newstart allowance was suspended immediately before 1 July 2012, the
amendments in Items 4 and 5 do not apply to that person during the period beginning
on 1 July 2012 and ending on the day on which the payment of their newstart
allowance is cancelled. Subitem (2) ensures those who are 21 and were receiving a
newstart allowance immediately prior to the amendments are not affected prior to any
cancellation of their newstart allowance. However, if their newstart allowance is
cancelled, the amendments in Items 4 and 5 will apply to that person after the
cancellation.
Subitem 16(3) provides that if a person aged 21 made a claim for newstart allowance
which had not been determined prior to 1 July 2012, the amendments in Items 4 and 5
do not apply to the claim, or if the claim is granted, to payment of that allowance as a
result of that claim.
Subitem 16(4) provides that if a person aged 21 made a claim for newstart allowance
before 1 July 2012 and was, on 1 July 2012, serving a liquid assets test waiting period
in relation to the claim, the amendments in Items 4 and 5 do not apply to the claim, or
if the claim is granted, to payment of that allowance as a result of that claim.
10
Subitem 16(5) provides that if a person was granted a newstart allowance under the
Administration Act prior to 1 July 2012 and an income maintenance period applies to
the person on 1 July 2012, the amendments in Items 4 and 5 do not apply to that
person during the period beginning on 1 July 2012 and ending on the day on which
the payment of their newstart allowance is cancelled. This means that the
amendments in Items 4 and 5 will only apply to such a person if, and after, the
payment of their newstart allowance is cancelled.
Subitem 16(6) provides that if a person was granted a newstart allowance under the
Administration Act prior to 1 July 2012, and whose start date for the allowance under
clause 5 of Schedule 2 to that Act is on or after 1 July 2012, the amendments in Items
4 and 5 do not apply to that person during the period beginning on 1 July 2012 and
ending on the day on which the payment of their newstart allowance is cancelled.
This means that the amendments in Items 4 and 5 will only apply to such a person if,
and after, the payment of their newstart allowance is cancelled
Item 17 - Application - sickness allowance
Subitem 17(1) is an application provision in relation to the amendments made by Item
6 regarding paragraph 666(1)(e). Subitem (1) provides that the application of the
amendment shall only apply in relation to determining eligibility for sickness
allowance for days occurring on or after 1 July 2012.
Subitem 17(2) makes clear that the amendment made by Item 6 does not apply to a
person who was aged 21 on 30 June 2012, and was receiving a sickness allowance
immediately before 1 July 2012, or whose sickness allowance was suspended
immediately before 1 July 2012.
Item 18 - Application - general rates
Item 18 is an application provision in relation to the amendments made by Items 9 to
12, inclusive, regarding paragraphs 1067G-H26(a) and (b), 1067L-D25(a) and (b),
1068-G9(a) and (b), and 1068B-D22(a) and (b) respectively. Item 18 makes clear that
the application of the amendments shall apply in relation to working out the rates of
social security for days occurring on or after 1 July 2012.
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Schedule 2--Income test for youth allowance
Social Security Act 1991
Items 1 and 2 - Paragraph 1067G-H29(b), 1067G-H32(c), and 1067G-
H33(c)
Subsection 1067G-H29 sets out the ordinary income free area in relation to youth
allowance. The ordinary income free area is the amount of income that a person can
earn without a deduction being made from the person's maximum payment rate.
Paragraph 1067G-H29(b) sets out the fortnightly income free area for a person who is
not undertaking full time study, or undertaking a new apprenticeship. Item 1 changes
this amount under paragraph 1067G-H29(b) from $62 to $143.
Where a person's ordinary income exceeds the ordinary income free area, they are
deemed to have an ordinary income excess under subsection 1067G-H30, which is the
amount by which the person's ordinary income exceeds the person's ordinary income
free area. Subsection 1067G-H31 sets out that if a person had an ordinary income
excess, they are subject to an ordinary income reduction, which is the sum of their
upper and lower income reduction (if any).
Subsection 1067G-H32 sets out the lower range reduction. For a person who is not
undertaking full-time study and who is not a new apprentice the lower range reduction
will be an amount equal to 50% of the part (if any) of the person's ordinary income
that does not exceed the amount in paragraph 1067G-H32(c), which is currently $188.
Item 2 shall reduce the amount under paragraph 1067G-H32(c) from $188 to $107.
Subsection 1067G-H33 sets out the upper range reduction. For a person who is not
undertaking full-time study and who is not a new apprentice the lower range reduction
will be an amount equal to 60% of the part (if any) of the person's ordinary income
that exceeds the amount in paragraph 1067G-H33(c), which is currently $188. Item 2
shall reduce the amount under paragraph 1067G-H33(c) from $188 to $107.
Item 3 - Application
Item 3 is an application provision which provides that the amendments made by Items
1 and 2 shall only apply to working out the rate of youth allowance for days occurring
on or after 1 July 2012.
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Schedule 3--Income test for newstart allowance
Social Security Act 1991
Items 1, 2 and 3 - Point 1068-G1 (method statement, step 10), Point
1068-G14 (heading) and Point 1068-G14
Items 1, 2 and 3 are technical amendments consequential to the amendment made by
Item 4.
Item 4 - Section 1068 (at the end of Module G of the Benefit Rate
Calculator B)
Item 4 inserts new section 1068-G17 within section 1068 of the SS Act.
Section 1068 sets out the various Benefit Rate Calculators to be used to calculate the
rate of widow allowance, newstart allowance (18 or over), sickness allowance (18 or
over), partner allowance, and mature age allowance under Part 2.12B of the SS Act.
Item 4 inserts a new point 1068-G17 to Module G of section 1068. The new point
1068-G17 provides that if a person receiving newstart allowance has an ordinary
income excess, but is not a member of a couple, and is the principal carer of a child
then their ordinary income reduction is an amount equal to 40% of their ordinary
income excess.
Item 5 - Application
Item 5 is an application provision which provides that the amendments made by
Schedule 3 shall only apply to working out the rate of newstart allowance for days
occurring on or after 1 January 2013.
13
Schedule 4--Claims for newstart allowance
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999
Item 1 - Paragraph 4(2)(a) of Schedule 2
Item 1 makes a technical amendment to paragraph 4(2)(a) of Schedule 2.
Item 2 - Subclause 4(5) of Schedule 2
Item 2 repeals subclause 4(5) of Schedule 2.
The amendments made by Items 1 and 2 mean that for a person making a claim for
newstart allowance, either subclause 4(1) or 4(6) will apply, depending on whether or
not the person is serving a liquid assets test waiting period.
Item 3 - Application
Item 3 makes clear that the amendments in Items 1 and 2 apply to claims made on or
after the commencement of those Items, which is the day the Act receives Royal
Assent.
14
Schedule 5--Working credit balances
Social Security Act 1991
Items 1, 2, 3 and 4 - Subsections 1073E(2), (4), (5) and (5A) and
subsection 1073E(6)(b)
Items 1 to 4, inclusive, make technical amendments consequential to the amendment
made by Items 5 and 6 of Schedule 5.
Item 5 - At the end of section 1073E
Item 5 inserts new subsection (7) into section 1073E of the SS Act.
New subsection 1073E(7) defines the term threshold amount. The threshold amount
prescribes the amount above nil that a person can have as their opening balance of
working credit applicable them on the day that is their participation day.
New paragraph 1073E(7)(a) provides that the threshold amount is $3500 if, on the
relevant participation day, a youth allowance recipient does not undertake full time
study, and is not a new apprentice. New paragraph 1073E(7)(b) provides that in any
other case the threshold amount shall be $1000.
Item 6 - Section 1073F (method statement, step 4)
Item 6 substitutes step 4 of the method statement under section 1073F used to
determine accruals and depletion of working credit for social security beneficiaries.
Currently, step 4 provides that where the participant's rate of total ordinary income on
a fortnightly basis for the day is less than $48, there is an accrual to the participant's
working credit balance for the day of an amount equal to one fourteenth of the amount
by which $48 exceeds that rate. Step 4 also currently provides that the maximum
working credit balance is $1,000.
Item 6 increases the maximum working credit balance for certain persons receiving a
social security benefit. The new maximum working credit balance will be $3,500
where the participant became a working credit participant on a day under subsections
1073E(2), (3), (4), (5), (5A) or (6) of the SS Act, and, on that day, the participant was
receiving youth allowance, was not undertaking full time study and was not a new
apprentice. In any other case, the maximum working credit balance will be $1,000.
Item 7 - Application
Item 7 is an application provision which provides that the amendments made by
Schedule 5 shall only apply to those who become working credit participants as
mentioned in section 1073E of the SS Act on days occurring on or after 1 July 2012.
15
16
Schedule 6--Parenting payment transitional
arrangement
Social Security Act 1991
Item 1 - At the end of section 500F
Item 1 inserts new subsections (5) and (6) into section 500F of the SS Act. Item 1 is a
transitional provision inserted to make arrangements for circumstances in which a
person ceases to be covered by parenting the current payment transitional
arrangements under the SS Act.
New subsection 500F(5) provides that if a person is covered by the parenting payment
transitional arrangement in relation to a child immediately before 1 January 2013, the
person shall cease to be covered by that arrangement when the person's child turns 12
years of age if that child was aged under 12on 31 December 2012; or when the
person's child turns 13 years of age if that child is aged 12 years on 31 December
2012; or when the person's child turns 16 years if that child is aged 13 or more and
under 16 years on 31 December 2012.
New subsection 500F(6) clarifies that new subsection (5) shall not operate to limit the
circumstances in which a person may be ceased to be covered by the parenting
payment transitional arrangement in relation to a child.
17
Schedule 7--Penalty for reconnection failures
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999
Item 1 - Subsection 42T(3)
Item 1 amends subsection 42T(3) of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999.
Subsection 42T(1) provides that the Minister must, by legislative instrument,
determine a method for working out a person's penalty amount in relation to no show
no pay failure or a reconnection failure.
Currently subsection 42T(3) limits the penalty amount for a reconnection failure able
to be determined under the instrument to no more than the total of the daily rates of
the participation payment payable to the person during the reconnection failure
period.
Under the amendment made by Item 1, the limitation is replaced by the following
formula:
Amount of the person's instalment
of participation payment for the
instalment period in which the day occurs
1.4 ×
Number of days in the person's instalment period
This is the formula that is also used to calculate the maximum penalty amount for a no
show no pay failure.
Item 2 - Application
Item 2 is an application provision which provides that the amendment made by Item 1
of Schedule 7 shall only apply to a determination that a person commits a
reconnection failure made on or after commencement of Item 1, where the relevant
failure also occurred on or after commencement of Item 1.
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Schedule 8--Other amendments
Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000
Item 1 - Subsection 14B(1) (table item 4)
Item 1 amends the figure at table item 4 in the `Starting amount' column of the table
under subsection 14B(1) of the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000.
Under this amendment, new table item 4 provides for the starting amount of
$120,701,000 in respect of the 1 January 2012 to 30 June 2013 appropriation period.
Social Security Act 1991
Item 2 - Point 1068-B1B
Item 2 amends point 1068-B1B of the SS Act to make a technical amendment and
remove the reference to point 1068-B1A.
Point 1068-B1A provides that certain children who are not young persons are to be
treated as dependent children for the purposes of determining the maximum basic rate
applicable to a person. Currently, point 1068-B1B provides that its provisions are
applicable when determining a person's maximum basic rate for the purpose of point
1068-B1A.
Under this amendment, the reference to point 1068-B1A will be removed and the
provision of point 1068-B1B shall apply generally to the determination of a person's
maximum basic rate.
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Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights
Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny)
Act 2011
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support and Other
Measures) Bill 2012
This Bill is compatible with human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the
international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary
Scrutiny) Act 2011.
Overview of the Bill
The Bill amends the Social Security Act 1991 to implement income support measures
that form part of the broader reforms in the Building Australia's Future Workforce
Package.
The Bill extends youth allowance to 21 year olds who are unemployed and not full-
time students. youth allowance will also be extended to young people aged 21 years
with a temporary injury illness or injury.
The Bill increases the income free area and working credit limit value for certain
recipients of youth allowance. It decreases the threshold at which youth allowance
payments are tapered at the highest rate due to excess income.
The Bill increases the age of qualification for newstart allowance from 21 to 22. It
also increases the minimum age of qualification for long term income support for
students, and the minimum age of qualification for sickness allowance, from 21 to 22.
It reduces the taper rate in relation to income above the income free area for single
principal carer parents receiving newstart allowance.
This Bill will enact changes to the eligibility rules for `grandfathered' parenting
payment recipients that will accelerate the closing of the grandfathered conditions.
The Bill increases the amount of daily penalty rates for reconnection failure penalties
for participation payment recipients.
The Bill increases the appropriation for non- ABSTUDY payments under the
Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 for the period 1 January 2012
to 30 June 2013.
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Human rights implications
The Bill engages the following human rights:
Right to social security
Article 9 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
(ICESCR) recognises the right of everyone to social security.
The Bill will promote the right to social security by increasing the income free area
and working credit limit value for certain recipients of youth allowance, and by
reducing of the taper rate in relation to income above the income free area for single
principal carer parents receiving newstart allowance. These measures will entitle
relevant persons to higher social security payments than they would previously have
been entitled to when earning over certain thresholds.
The Bill limits eligibility of newstart allowance to new claimants aged 22 years to
pension age. The right to social security will remain for 21 year olds: youth
allowance is being extended to include 21 year olds who are not full-time students or
Australian apprentices, and existing 21 year olds in receipt of newstart allowance on 1
July 2012 will be `grandfathered' and continue to receive current entitlements.
This limitation will remove the financial incentive for young people to be on
unemployment benefits rather than studying full-time, and ensures benefits are
applied consistently for 21 year olds. Practically this amendment limits the rate at
which 21 year olds can be paid regardless of whether they are unemployed or in study
or training.
The increase of the minimum age of qualification for sickness allowance to 22 will
limit new claimants' right to this payment. However, their right to social security will
remain; such 21 year olds are likely to be eligible for youth allowance instead. This is
justified because it ensures social security entitlements are applied consistently for
young people aged 21 years regardless of their circumstances. The Bill contains
provisions to ensure that existing recipients of sickness allowance will be
`grandfathered' and continue to receive current entitlements.
The increase in the amount of daily penalty rates for reconnection penalties for
participation payment recipients may also reduce a person's social security payments.
However, the reduction will only occur if a person misses an appointment with their
employment services provider (having already missed the previous appointment)
without giving prior notice of a reasonable excuse. This will have no adverse impact
on people who do comply, or genuinely cannot comply, with their participation
requirements to attend an appointment with their employment services provider.
Further, it will align the daily penalty rates with the maximum penalty amount for a
no show no pay failure, which is desirable because it removes disparity in the
application of participation failures. It also means that all participation failure penalty
daily rates will not include weekends during which a person is unable to comply with
their requirements.
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The changes to the eligibility rules for `grandfathered' parenting payment recipients
will limit access to parenting payment for those who have been in continual receipt of
parenting payment since prior to 1 July 2006. The justification for this is to accelerate
the closing of the grandfathered conditions for parenting payments which will help to
restore equity across the parenting payment population. This limitation is further
justified because it will encourage parents with older children to re-enter the
workforce earlier, thereby reducing long term welfare reliance and, over time, the
prevalence of intergeneration welfare dependency. However, a person's access to
social security is not impacted as recipients who are affected by this measure are
entitled to apply for other income support payments, such as newstart allowance.
Right to education
Article 13 of the ICESCR recognises the right of everyone to education.
The amendment of the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 will
provide additional funding for the Student Education Trusts measure as part of the 12
month extension of the Cape York Welfare Reform Trials.
Student Education Trusts are a financial management service whereby parents and
care-givers from the remote Indigenous communities of Aurukun, Coen, Hope Vale
and Mossman Gorge on Cape York in Far North Queensland are supported and
encouraged to save and provide for their children's education costs from early
childhood through to tertiary education, thereby assisting their children to more easily
access their right to education. This is an important part of the strategy in Far North
Queensland for closing the gap in education outcomes between Indigenous and non-
Indigenous people.
Right to work
Article 6 of the ICESCR recognises the right to work.
The increase of the income free area and working credit limit value for certain
recipients of youth allowance will encourage those recipients to take up work without
their earnings affecting their social security payments up to a certain level. This
measure encourages young people to engage with their right to work.
Conclusion
The Bill is compatible with human rights because it generally advances human rights.
To the extent that it may have an adverse impact on human rights, that impact is
reasonable and for legitimate reasons.
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