3.2.1.70 Notification & Recipient Obligations for NSA

Notifiable events

In addition to the common notification obligations, NSA recipients MUST notify Centrelink on their Application for Payment form, if any of the following events occurs, or is likely to occur:

• the person or their partner:
  • starts work, OR
  • receives any money from investments, OR
  • changes investments, OR
  • has a change in their assets, OR
  • receives compensation, or claims compensation, OR
  • receives money from a superannuation or roll-over fund, OR
  • receives any other money, OR
  • receives any leave payments, OR
  • has a child under 16 come into their care, OR
  • has a child under 16 leave their care, OR
  • is imprisoned, OR
  • is intending to go overseas, even for a short period, OR
  • have been overseas, OR
• the person:
  • starts living with a partner, OR
  • separates from their partner, OR
  • starts a rehabilitation program, either private or with the Commonwealth rehabilitation program, OR
  • starts or ceases a course of full-time or part-time study, OR
  • changes enrolment from part-time or full-time, OR
  • applies for, or starts to receive ABSTUDY or another allowance.

Failure to comply with notification provisions could mean the imposition of a 6-month prison sentence. However, a compliance penalty is normally applied rather than a prison sentence.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.2.1.80 Variable Reporting for NSA

Statement reporters (1.1.S.350)

NSA recipients are usually required to lodge an Application for Payment form to request the continuation of their payment on a specified day each fortnight to allow their continued payability to be assessed. These forms require answers to questions about salient issues. Some NSA recipients who have a low risk of not complying with their obligations or accruing a debt can be allowed to lodge their Application for Payment forms at intervals other than fortnightly. This is known as variable reporting.

Example: Job search, study activities and income earned.

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act section 68 Person receiving social security payment or holding concession card

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.2.1.80 Variable Reporting for NSA

Late lodgement of statements

Where a person who is required to stimulate their payment by lodging an Application for Payment form does not do so by the due date, payment will not be generated. This delay may also affect the person's partner. A person who misses 2 lodgements will have their payment automatically cancelled, unless there are special circumstances that justify the late lodgement. Late lodgers may be asked to explain the circumstances that prevented them lodging on time to determine:

• whether or not the reason is acceptable,
• if special circumstances apply for lodging the form late, and
• if payment will be approved.

Example 1: Centrelink contributed in some way to the delay, by not giving necessary information when requested, or by giving incorrect information.

Example 2: Young people in unstable accommodation or whose personal circumstances have made lodgement difficult.

Exemption from personal lodgement of statements

NSA recipients should lodge their Application for Payment forms in person where they can reasonably be expected to do so. In certain circumstances, a personal lodgement exemption may be granted and the Application for Payment form may be lodged by post, faxed or lodged by another person on the recipient's behalf.

A person may be exempted from personal lodgement if the:

• person resides in an area remote from a Centrelink office,
• travelling time involved is generally in excess of one and a half hours each way by public or private transport,
• person is receiving bereavement payment,
• person is attending a Centrelink approved training course,
• person is participating in an approved activity as part of their EPP and the activity coincides with their due-to-lodge date,
• person is working part-time or casually on their due-to-lodge date,
• person lodges a medical certificate indicating a period of temporary incapacity, and/or
• cost of attending a Centrelink office exceeds 10 percent of the maximum basic payment each fortnight.

Explanation: If a person visits a centre where a Centrelink office is located, whether to shop or look for work, the person will be required to lodge personally regardless of cost.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.13 Compliance Framework for Participation Payments

Common provisions

Some notification and recipient obligations are common to MOST payments, and are explained in Chapter 1 of Part 3.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.3 Notification & Recipient Obligations

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Last reviewed: 7 September 2009