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This topic explains the main types and causes of income (section 8(1)-'income') and asset (1.1.A.290) reviews. This topic covers the following matters:
Act reference: SSAct section 8(1)-'income'
Centrelink conducts income and assets reviews to ensure that recipients continue to receive their correct pension entitlement. A review generally involves reassessing a recipient's circumstances in the same way as the original claim was assessed, although in some cases other provisions are specified.
A review is conducted when a person's circumstances change. Centrelink initiates a review when it becomes aware of a person's changed circumstances from one of the following sources:
Example: Through information, from say the Australian Federal Police, or through public denunciation.
Policy reference: SS Guide 6.1.2 Change in Circumstance Reviews, 6.5 Profiling Reviews
The following table shows the 2 main types of reviews conducted when a person's circumstances change and when each type is used.
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A review of a person's… |
Occurs with a change in their… |
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income, |
income ONLY, |
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TOTAL income and assets, |
asset value that approaches the relevant asset limit. Explanation: Asset changes that do NOT affect a person's asset value limit are usually only recorded, with no review action taken. |
A review can be conducted immediately and/or at a specified date in the future.
The following table shows which reviews are generated automatically by the system, or manually by staff. A subsequent manual review is coded for a later date whenever any outstanding issues need to be clarified or reviewed.
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A review is issued… |
For… |
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automatically by the system, |
- asset reviews, for recipients (with the exception of Age, WP and WidB recipients) paid under the assets test, AND - asset value reviews of financial investments (1.1.F.135), although these can also be requested on the system, AND - AVO reviews, although these can also be requested on the system, AND - pensioners (Age, WP, WidB and PPS recipients) identified through profiling, AND
- 6-month overseas reviews. |
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automatically by the system, AFTER action by staff, |
- asset reviews of hardship and PLS recipients, AND - tax return reviews for sole traders and partnerships, AND - reviews of future entitlement to a lump sum or assets from superannuation, compensation (1.1.C.240), or a deceased estate, AND - principal home (1.1.P.420) reviews for sale of the home or absence due to nursing home (1.1.N.140) admission. |
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manually, after a system prompt, |
- data matching reviews of the records of the ATO, DIAC, and state corrective services departments, AND - National Selective Review System (NSRS) -reviews for local initiatives, office referrals, public information, and profiling reviews. |
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manually by staff, as needed, |
- recipient requested reviews, AND - qualification (1.1.Q.10) reviews, AND - fluctuating income or casual earnings reviews. |
Once a recipient's circumstances have been re-assessed, there may or may not be an effect on their payment. This will depend on the qualification and payability rules for the specific payment.
Policy reference: SS Guide Part 3 Qualification & Payability, 4.2.1.10 Pensions Income Test & Limits, 4.2.3 Pensions & Benefits Assets Tests & Limits, 6.5 Profiling Reviews
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Last reviewed: 1 July 2010
