Disability Support Pension Impairment Tables
About the Impairment Tables
The Impairment Tables are used to work out if a person can get the Disability Support Pension. The Tables are part of the Social Security (Tables for the Assessment of Work-related Impairment for Disability Support Pension) Determination 2023(Opens in a new tab/window).
The Tables are used to assess any conditions and resulting impairments that are diagnosed, reasonably treated and stabilised, likely to persist for more than 2 years and unlikely to improve with further treatment. If a condition does not meet these requirements, a rating cannot be assigned.
Guide to the Impairment Tables
There are 15 Impairment Tables which are used to assess a person’s loss of functional capacity that affects their ability to work.
The Impairment Tables are used to assign impairment ratings according to the severity of the impact of the impairment on a person’s functional ability, as it relates to work. Each person’s level of impairment must be assessed on an individual basis to account for the varying spectrum of severity and stability that can occur with medical conditions.
Read the Guide to the Impairment Tables in Easy Read format.
| Table | This table is used when there is a functional impact… |
|---|---|
| Table 1: Functions requiring Physical Exertion and Stamina | when performing activities requiring physical exertion or stamina. Conditions assessed under Table 1 are commonly associated with cardiac or respiratory impairments, fatigue or exhaustion, or other conditions affecting physical exertion or stamina. |
| Table 2: Upper Limb Function | when performing activities requiring the use of the upper limbs. The upper limbs extend from the shoulder to the fingers. There is functional impact to a person's ability to pick up, handle, manipulate and use objects encountered in everyday life, including but not limited to, coins, pencils, cartons of liquid, zippers, computer keyboards, or touchscreens of electronic devices. |
| Table 3: Lower Limb Function | when performing activities requiring the use of lower limbs. The lower limbs extend from the hips to the toes. There is functional impact to a person's ability to move around, including walking, kneeling, squatting, standing, standing up from a seated position, using stairs, using public transport or using a motor vehicle, and (where applicable) their ability to mobilise with the use of wheelchairs or walking aids. |
| Table 4: Spinal Function | when performing activities involving spinal function. Spinal function involves bending or turning the back, trunk or neck. |
| Table 5: Mental Health Function | of a diagnosed mental health condition (including recurring episodes of mental health impairment). |
| Table 6: Functioning related to Alcohol, Drug and Other Substance Use | of a diagnosed condition resulting from excessive use of alcohol, drugs or other harmful substances (such as glue or petrol) or the misuse of prescription drugs. |
| Table 7: Brain Function | of a diagnosed condition related to neurological or cognitive function. |
| Table 8: Communication Function | of a diagnosed condition affecting communication functions. |
| Table 9: Intellectual Function | of a diagnosed condition resulting in low intellectual function (a meaningful intelligence quotient (IQ) score of 70 to 85), which originated before the person turned 18 years of age. |
| Table 10: Digestive and Reproductive Function | of a diagnosed condition related to digestive or reproductive system functions. |
| Table 11: Hearing and other Functions of the Ear | of a diagnosed condition when performing activities involving hearing function or other functions of the ear (such as balance). |
| Table 12: Visual Function | of a diagnosed condition when performing activities involving visual function. |
| Table 13: Continence Function | of a diagnosed condition related to incontinence of the bladder or bowel. |
| Table 14: Functions of the Skin | of a diagnosed condition related to disorders of, or injury to, the skin. |
| Table 15: Functions of Consciousness | of a diagnosed condition due to involuntary loss of consciousness or altered state of consciousness, such as epilepsy, some forms of migraine, transient ischaemic attacks, or brain tumours. |
More information
- Visit the Federal Register of Legislation(Opens in a new tab/window) for the full legislative instrument.
- Read the Social Security Guide(Opens in a new tab/window) for more information and clarification for assessors applying the Tables.
- Visit data.gov.au(Opens in a new tab/window) for information about Disability Support Pension Payments Data.