11.4.2.20 Indicators of Vulnerability

Indicators of vulnerability

An indicator of vulnerability is one of the following:

• financial hardship.
• financial exploitation.
• failure to undertake reasonable self-care.
• homelessness or risk of homelessness.

Financial hardship

For the purposes of a determination under SS(Admin)Act subsection 123UGA(1), a person is defined as experiencing financial hardship where they are unable to purchase goods, access services or engage in activities to meet their priority needs (11.1.3.50) due to a lack of financial resources. The receipt of income support is not, by itself, sufficient evidence that a person is experiencing financial hardship. There must be some additional consideration, such as a lack of skills or an inability to manage limited resources, which are contributing to a person's financial difficulties.

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act section 123UGA(1) Determination by Secretary

Financial exploitation

Financial exploitation occurs when a person is subject to undue pressure, harassment, violence, abuse, deception or exploitation for financial resources by another person or people, including other family members and community members.

Failure to undertake reasonable self-care

A failure to undertake reasonable self-care applies if a person is engaged in conduct that threatens their physical or mental wellbeing and the Secretary is satisfied that the person has not taken sufficient steps to address the conduct. This conduct may include, for example, substance abuse issues or problem gambling.

Homelessness or risk of homelessness

A person may be considered to be homeless or at risk of homelessness where the person does not have, or is at risk of not having, access to safe, secure and adequate housing. Examples of these circumstances include:

• where the person is at risk of eviction from accommodation,
• where advice has been received from a state housing authority that a person is at risk of homelessness,
• where a person is sleeping outdoors (sleeping rough) or is sleeping in an abandoned or untenanted building (squatting),
• where a person lives in, or moves between, temporary accommodation with friends or family, or temporary accommodation provided by a charitable organisation,
• where the person's accommodation damages, or is likely to damage, their health,
• where the person's accommodation threatens, or is likely to threaten, their safety, and
• where the person's accommodation does not provide the person with access to a reasonable level of personal amenities.

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Last reviewed: 2 January 2013