As of 1 January 2015, the rules for those on the Disability Support Pension intending to travel overseas have changed. You can now only be out of the country for four weeks in a 12-month period before your payment is affected.
If you have booked and paid for travel before 14 May 2014, you will be able to retain the existing six-week payment period as long as this travel is completed, and you have returned to Australia, before 1 January 2016.
Those who are assessed as having a permanent and severe impairment, with no future work capacity, can have their payments made for longer.
If you have already travelled overseas for four weeks in a 12-month period, there are certain circumstances which will allow you to travel and have your payment unaffected. These are as follows:
- an acute family crisis
- humanitarian reasons
- receiving eligible medical treatment which is unavailable in Australia.
Before planning any travel greater than the four-week limit, you should consult with Human Services.
For more information, visit HumanServices.gov.au.