Changes to income management legislation

Legislation passed to abolish the Cashless Debit Card in September 2022 and all participants moved off the program by 6 March 2023. 

The Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management Reform) Act 2023 (the Act) commenced 4 September 2023. The Act outlines criteria through legislative instruments to allow it to operate.  

Three legislative instruments enable the enhanced Income Management program. Enhanced Income Management program started to operate from 4 September 2023.  

The legislative instruments include operational elements for: 

• voluntary enhanced Income Management participation 
• state and territory-based referral measures (Supporting People at Risk and Child Protection) 
• compulsory measures (Long Term Welfare Payment Recipient, Disengaged Youth and Vulnerable Welfare Payment Recipient (VWPR) measures) and VWPR Principles. 

The new legislative instruments make the enhanced Income Management program available in existing Income Management program locations.  

The Income Management program is closed to new participants. Existing Income Management program participants can choose to move to the enhanced Income Management program.  

Read more about the enhanced Income Management program.