Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697637742145.pdf (Australia)
Response to: Purpose, intent and adequacy of the Disability Support Pension.

To whom it may concern, I am writing regarding the Senate inquiry into the purpose, intent and adequacy of the Disability Support Pension.

I am a 51 year-old ex-teacher who has been negatively affected by the disability support payments system.

In 2013 I was given a diagnosis of vicarious-PTSD by several qualified psychologists and psychiatrists.
Understanding that I was unable to return to my previous profession in the Education sector, and realising that it would take a long time to recover from the complex trauma, I applied for the DSP.

The application process itself was very long, stressful and unwieldy – including requiring me to change psychologists in order to get a report written – as the department only recognises one form of mental health support (in this case, not psychotherapists).
There are many modalities that can assist with healing, yet only the very basic ‘clinical psychology’ is included.

I’d encourage a broadening of the types of clinicians able to write reports for DSP applications.

The whole way through the process of applying for the DSP I was consistently told by staff: ‘don’t expect to get it’; ‘the government has made it very difficult to get now’; ‘it’s really hard to get the DSP’, etc.
Coupled with a very lengthy wait for outcomes, this negative talk did absolutely nothing for my mental health (but it turns out, they were right!).

I’d suggest cutting wait times for applicants, as well as better training for staff so they can support their Centrelink clients throughout the process.

It honestly felt like there was zero support for me/ my application during the entire process.
The intent of the staff – which obviously trickles down from the leaders in government who make these decisions – was clearly negative and often unhelpful.

There was a lot of talk of ‘getting enough points’ to qualify for the DSP, but no-one was able to tell me what the points represented, how many were ‘enough’, or how I could make sure that my documents supported my application in order to ensure that I was eligible.

It felt like I was up against a wall before I even began.
There needs to be a lot more transparency in the DSP application system, as well as flexibility in the decision making process.

(Otherwise, it seems like it’s another ‘Robo-Debt’ debacle, where computer programs are making what should be humane decisions.)
1 Purpose, intent and adequacy of the Disability Support PensionSubmission 125 Ironically, I needed to use some of my Mental Health Plan discounted sessions in order to help me to cope with the stress of the DSP application process (a large factor of PTSD is cortisol overload).

A system that should be designed to help people who are unable to work actually made me more unable to work, because of the stress.
As I understand it, there are a lot of people like me – who are deemed ‘not sick enough’ for the DSP, yet are unable to work ‘properly’ – and so we are forced to comply with the usual Jobseeker requirements, with no extra support.

One psychologist told me that she used to work for the government and that there used to be an ‘interim step’.

It sat between Jobseeker and the DSP – and offered extra mental health support for those who fell between the cracks.

I’d highly recommend reviving something similar.


I used to be a capable professional and for decades had no problems at work – however I can say that encountering the DSP system and the gross failings of its application process, as well as the cultural pressure/ propaganda against those who need extra support, and subsequently having to survive on Jobseeker/ below the poverty line, (and the appalling Job Network Providers who purport to be specialised Disability Services!
), has definitely made my health a lot worse.

I truly hope that this inquiry actually makes some solid changes that will assist the people who need the most support in our society.

The current system is terrible and is making people sicker.

Please take this opportunity to fix it properly.

Thanks for your time.

Yours, 2 Purpose, intent and adequacy of the Disability Support PensionSubmission 125