1.1.P.235 Personal effects & household contents

Usage

This definition applies to all payments subject to assets testing provisions.

Definition

'Personal effects and household contents' include:

• clothing,
• jewellery,
• hobby collections (e.g. stamps and coins),
• furniture,
• paintings and works of art,
• soft furnishings (e.g. curtains),
• electrical appliances other than fixtures such as stoves and built-in items.
  • Explanation: Permanent fixtures are regarded as part of the home and not as household contents.

Exclusions

The following are NOT personal effects and household items:

• vehicles (e.g. cars, boats, trailers, caravans and motor cycles),
• bullion,
• unmounted gems, and
• collections held for other than purely personal purposes.

Policy reference: SS Guide 4.6.5.10 Assessing Personal Effects, Household Contents, Vehicles & Cash

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Last reviewed: 16 May 2011