11.1.3.50 Priority Needs under Income Management

Priority needs

Priority needs are defined in the SS(Admin)Act section 123TH. The Minister may expand on the list by making a legislative instrument. A person's priority needs are:

• food,
• non-alcoholic beverages,
• clothing,
• footwear,
• basic personal hygiene items,
• basic household items,
• housing including:
  • rent,
  • home loan repayments,
  • repairs,
  • maintenance,
• household utilities including:
  • electricity,
  • gas,
  • water,
  • sewerage,
  • garbage collection,
  • fixed line telephone,
• rates and land tax,
• health including:
  • medical, nursing, dental or other health services,
  • pharmacy items,
  • the supply, alteration or repair of artificial teeth,
  • the supply, alteration or repair of an artificial limb (or part of a limb),
  • artificial eye or hearing aid,
  • the supply, alteration or repair of a medical or surgical appliance,
  • the testing of eyes,
  • the prescribing of spectacles or contact lenses,
  • the supply of spectacles or contact lenses,
  • the management of a disability,
• child care and development,
• education and training,
• toys,
• items required for the purposes of the person's employment, including:
  • a uniform or other occupational clothing,
  • protective footwear,
  • tools of trade,
• funerals,
• public transport services, where services are used wholly or partly for purposes in connection with any of the above needs, and
• the acquisition, repair, maintenance or operation of:
  • a motor vehicle,
  • a motor cycle, or
  • a bicycle,
  • that is used wholly or partly for purposes in connection with any of the above needs.

Note: This list is not a hierarchy. All priority needs are equal in status for the purposes of income management.

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act section 123TH Priority needs

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Last reviewed: 2 August 2010