3.2.1.80 Variable Reporting for NSA
Allowing variable reporting
People can be allowed to lodge their notification statements at intervals other than fortnightly. This is known as variable reporting.
Where a person fails to return the form (for extended lodgement periods only) a debt under the social security law may occur.
Before people can be placed on variable reporting, the Secretary must be satisfied that:
- the person may be reasonably expected to satisfy the qualification requirements of NSA, AND
- it is reasonable to expect that NSA will be payable to the person for the period, AND
- the person will comply with the Act during the period.
Factors to consider
People can be placed on variable reporting provided:
- they meet ONE or more of the allowable eligibility situations, AND
- they are NOT ruled ineligible on the basis of ANY of a group of situations that may cast doubt on their ability to meet the variable reporting requirements.
Situations that apply to both of these types of eligibility factors are described in the rest of this topic.
Allowable eligibility situations
People may be eligible for variable reporting if:
- they satisfy the activity test (1.1.A.40) by means other than undertaking paid work (see example 1), OR
- they are taking reasonable steps to comply with an EPP (1.1.E.103) that requires full-time unpaid voluntary work (1.1.V.70), OR
- they are incapacitated for work and are exempt from, or not required to satisfy the activity test, OR
- the person is aged 55 or over and the Secretary considers that the person's income is not likely to change while on variable reporting, OR
- the person is part of a discretionary category because of their:
- location, OR
- recent employment history, OR
- the state of the labour market, OR
- other reasons (see example 2).
Example 1: By undertaking a full-time approved training course instead of study.
Example 2: Defence force reservists attending training camps or on overseas service, people caring for relatives, and people on jury duty.
Situations of doubtful eligibility
People may NOT be eligible for variable reporting if they:
- are required to provide additional evidence that they satisfy the activity test (see example 1), OR
- have been unemployed and receiving NSA for less than 12 weeks unless they are aged over 55 (see exception 1),
- have incurred overpayments through failing to comply with provisions of the Act (see example 2), OR
- have contravened the Act (see example 3), OR
- have changed address in circumstances likely to affect their qualification for NSA (see example 4), OR
- have had changes in domestic circumstances that are likely to affect their qualification for NSA (see example 5), OR
- are enrolled in part-time study, OR
- are indebted to the Commonwealth under the Act (see exception 2).
Example 1: The person has current ECCs to present.
Example 2: A history of debts from non-compliance.
Example 3: A history of non-compliance.
Example 4: A person may have difficulty accepting or attending full-time training.
Example 5: Their partner's income may affect the rate payable.
Exception 1: Most people would not be approved for variable reporting before the 12-week point. However, where they meet the other requirements, the following are exceptions to the rules if the person is:
- incapacitated, OR
- aged 55 and over, OR
- transfers from a pension, benefit or allowance, OR
- lives in a remote community.
Exception 2: The following are exceptions to the rules regarding debts to the Commonwealth:
- the debts were incurred by another person, such as a partner, OR
- a systems fault produced dual entitlement, OR
- the debts were other Australian Government department debts, CDEP debts, or fully repaid.
Act reference: SSAct section 600(1-7) Prospective determinations for some allowance recipients
Policy reference: SS Guide 3.2.1.70 Notification & Recipient Obligations for NSA
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Last reviewed: 1 March 2010
