{"id":"F2018L01106","name":"Adult Disability Assessment Determination 2018","slug":"adult-disability-assessment-determination-2018","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":439721,"registerId":"F2018L01106-fast-fetch-1775955635259","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Adult Disability Assessment Determination 2018","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n\n\n \n\nAdult Disability Assessment Determination 2018\n\nI, Kathryn Campbell, Secretary of the Department of Social Services, make the following instrument.\n\nDated 9 August 2018\n\nKathryn Campbell\n\nSecretary of the Department of Social Services\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nContents\n\nPart 1—Preliminary \n\n1.1 Name\n\n1.2 Commencement\n\n1.3 Authority\n\n1.4 Definitions\n\n1.5 Treating health professional..................................1\n\n1.6 Disability assessment components..............................1\n\n \n\nPart 2—Adult Disability Assessment Tool 3\n\n2.1 Questionnaires..........................................3\n\n2.2 Testing method..........................................3\n\n2.3 Rating method..........................................3\n\n \n\nSchedule 1—Questionnaires 5\n\n Part 1 Claimant questionnaire........................................5\n\n Part 2 Professional questionnaire.....................................11\n\n \n\nSchedule 2—Rating method 15\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n1.1 Name\n\n This instrument is the Adult Disability Assessment Determination 2018.\n\n1.2 Commencement\n\n This instrument commences on 1 October 2018.\n\n1.3 Authority\n\n This instrument is made under section 38C of the Social Security Act 1991.\n\n1.4 Definitions\n\nNote: Some expressions used in this instrument are defined in sections 5 and 23 of the Act, including the following:\n\n1. dependent child;\n2. officer;\n3. Secretary.\n\n\n In this instrument:\n\nAct means the Social Security Act 1991.\n\nadult means a person aged 16 or more.\n\nclaimant means a person mentioned in subsection 2.1(2).\n\nclaimant questionnaire means the questionnaire mentioned in subsection 2.1(1).\n\nprofessional questionnaire means the questionnaire mentioned in subsection 2.1(3).\n\ntreating health professional means a person approved under section 1.5.\n\n1.5 Treating health professional\n\n1. The Secretary may approve a person as a treating health professional.\n2. The Secretary may also approve a class of persons as treating health professionals.\n\n\n \n\nNote A treating health professional is the only person who can complete the questionnaire set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (see subsections 2.1(3) and (4)).\n\n1.6 Disability assessment components\n\n Part 2 of this instrument sets out the Adult Disability Assessment Tool.\n\n \n\nNote Under subsection 38C(1) of the Act, the Secretary may, by legislative instrument (the determination):\n\n(a) devise a test for assessing the disability, emotional state, behaviour and special care needs of a person aged 16 or more; and\n\n(b) provide a method for rating the person by giving him or her, on the basis of the results of the test, a score in accordance with a scale.\n\n \n\nUnder subsection 38C(3) of the Act, the part of the determination setting out the test and the rating method is the Adult Disability Assessment Tool.\n\n\n\n\nPart 2—Adult Disability Assessment Tool\n\n2.1 Questionnaires\n\n1. Part 1 of Schedule 1 sets out a questionnaire (the claimant questionnaire) about disability, emotional state, behaviour and special care needs of an adult.\n2. The claimant questionnaire may be completed only by a person (the claimant) wishing:\n 1. to claim a carer allowance or carer payment, or both, under the Act for the care of an adult; or\n 2. to continue to be qualified for receiving carer allowance or carer payment, or both, under the Act for the care of an adult.\n3. Part 2 of Schedule 1 sets out another questionnaire (the professional questionnaire) about the disability, emotional state, behaviour and special care needs of an adult.\n4. The professional questionnaire may only be completed by a treating health professional.\n\n\n2.2 Testing method\n\n1. The test for assessing a person’s disability, emotional state, behaviour and special care needs is the assessment, under this Part, of the answers given in relation to the person in the 2 questionnaires mentioned in section 2.1.\n2. The following steps are carried out for the test:\n 1. the Secretary must be satisfied that a completed professional questionnaire is an accurate reflection of the disability, emotional state, behaviour and special care needs of the person concerned;\n 2. a score must be calculated:\n 1. using the rating method mentioned in section 2.3; and\n 2. on the basis of the answers given in the questionnaire.\n3. If the Secretary is not satisfied that the professional questionnaire is an accurate reflection of the person’s disability, emotional state, behaviour and special care needs, the Secretary must ask for a replacement professional questionnaire to be completed by another treating health professional.\n\n\n2.3 Rating method\n\n1. Steps 1 to 5 in Schedule 2 set out the method for rating a person, on the basis of the answers given in each questionnaire completed in relation to the person.\n2. The method gives the person a score:\n 1. in accordance with the scale mentioned in subsection 38C(2) of the Act; and\n 2. that determines whether the person is a care receiver to which subparagraph 197D(1)(a)(i), paragraph 198(2)(a), subparagraph 198(2)(d)(i), paragraph 954(1)(c) or paragraph 954A(1)(c) of the Act applies.\n\n\n\n\n\nSchedule 1—Questionnaires \n\n (section 2.1)\n\nPart 1—Claimant questionnaire\n\n \n\nDivision A\n\n \n\nFor each question, the claimant must tick only the response code that best describes how well the person in care usually manages. Help means any physical assistance, guidance or supervision. Without help means that the person initiates and completes activities without assistance or supervision.\n\nDoes the person in care:\n\n| 1 | Move around the house (may use walking stick, frame, wheelchair etc)? | Response code |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| | Without help | a |\n| | With help of one person | b |\n| | With help of two people | c |\n| | Is confined to bed | d |\n| | | |\n| 2 | Fall over indoors or outdoors (or from wheelchair)? | Response code |\n| | Often | a |\n| | Sometimes | b |\n| | Never | c |\n| | | |\n| 3 | Move to and from bed, chair, wheelchair and walking aids? | Response code |\n| | Without help | a |\n| | With some help | b |\n| | With a lot of help | c |\n| | Cannot do this | d |\n| | | |\n| 4 | Have difficulty hearing others (even with hearing aids)? | Response code |\n| | Always | a |\n| | Often | b |\n| | Sometimes | c |\n| | Never | d |\n\n\n \n\n| 5 | Have difficulty seeing clearly (even with glasses)? | Response code |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| | Always | a |\n| | Often | b |\n| | Sometimes | c |\n| | Never | d |\n| | | |\n| 6 | Need help or attention during the night? | Response code |\n| | Always | a |\n| | Often | b |\n| | Sometimes | c |\n| | Never | d |\n| | | |\n| 7 | Have loss of bladder control or bowel control or both (incontinence)? | Response code |\n| | Always | a |\n| | Often | b |\n| | Sometimes | c |\n| | Never | d |\n| | | |\n| 8 | Use continence aids or equipment (eg colostomy, catheter, pads)? | Response code |\n| | Without help | a |\n| | With some help | b |\n| | With a lot of help | c |\n| | Does not use aids | d |\n| | | |\n| 9 | Use the toilet? | Response code |\n| | Without help | a |\n| | With some help | b |\n| | With a lot of help | c |\n| | Cannot use a toilet | d |\n| |
| |\n\n\n \n\n| 10 | Eat their food (does not include meal preparation)? | Response code |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| | Without help | a |\n| | With some help | b |\n| | With a lot of help | c |\n| | Cannot feed themselves | d |\n| | | |\n| 11 | Shower or bathe themselves? | Response code |\n| | Without help | a |\n| | With some help | b |\n| | With a lot of help | c |\n| | Cannot do this | d |\n| | | |\n| 12 | Dress themselves? (eg buttons, zips, etc) | Response code |\n| | Without help | a |\n| | With some help | b |\n| | With a lot of help | c |\n| | Cannot do this | d |\n| | | |\n| 13 | Look after their grooming (eg shaving, caring for hair, and teeth)? | Response code |\n| | Without help | a |\n| | With some help | b |\n| | With a lot of help | c |\n| | Cannot do this | d |\n| | | |\n| 14 | Take care of their own medication (eg takes the right tablet at the right time)? | Response code |\n| | Without help | a |\n| | With some help | b |\n| | With a lot of help | c |\n| | Cannot do this | d |\n| | Does not take medication | e |\n| |
| |\n\n\n \n\n| 15 | Take care of their own treatment (eg oxygen, wound care, gastric feeding)? | Response code |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| | Without help | a |\n| | With some help | b |\n| | With a lot of help | c |\n| | Cannot do this | d |\n| | Does not have treatment | e |\n\n\n \n\nDivision B\n\n \n\nFor each question, the claimant must tick only the response code that best describes how well the person in care usually manages.\n\nDoes the person in care:\n\n \n\n| 1 | Understand what you, the carer, say? | Response code |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| | Always | a |\n| | Usually | b |\n| | Sometimes | c |\n| | Never | d |\n| | | |\n| 2 | Understand what other people say? | Response code |\n| | Always | a |\n| | Usually | b |\n| | Sometimes | c |\n| | Never | d |\n| | | |\n| 3 | Let others know how they feel and what they want (eg by speaking, using sign, or a communication aid)? | Response code |\n| | Always | a |\n| | Usually | b |\n| | Sometimes | c |\n| | Never | d |\n| |
| |\n\n\n \n\n| 4 | Know where they are? | Response code |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| | Always | a |\n| | Usually | b |\n| | Sometimes | c |\n| | Never | d |\n| | | |\n| 5 | Know whether it is morning, afternoon, or night? | Response code |\n| | Always | a |\n| | Usually | b |\n| | Sometimes | c |\n| | Never | d |\n| | | |\n| 6 | Remember things that happened today? | Response code |\n| | Always | a |\n| | Usually | b |\n| | Sometimes | c |\n| | Never | d |\n\n\n \n\nDivision C\n\n \n\nFor each question, the claimant must tick only the box that best describes how the person in care usually behaves.\n\nDoes the person in care:\n\n \n\n| 1 | Wander away or ‘run away’ from home? | Response code |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| | Never | a |\n| | Sometimes | b |\n| | Often | c |\n| | | |\n| 2 | Shout, scream at or threaten other people? | Response code |\n| | Never | a |\n| | Sometimes | b |\n| | Often | c |\n| | | |\n\n\n \n\n| 3 | Physically harm other people? | Response code |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| | Never | a |\n| | Sometimes | b |\n| | Often | c |\n| | | |\n| 4 | Damage furniture, possessions or objects? | Response code |\n| | Never | a |\n| | Sometimes | b |\n| | Often | c |\n| | | |\n| 5 | Laugh or cry without apparent reason? | Response code |\n| | Never | a |\n| | Sometimes | b |\n| | Often | c |\n| | | |\n| 6 | Withdraw from contact with other people, or appear depressed, worried or fearful? | Response code |\n| | Never | a |\n| | Sometimes | b |\n| | Often | c |\n| | | |\n| 7 | Deliberately harm themselves (e.g. by biting, scratching skin, hitting or banging their head)? | Response code |\n| | Never | a |\n| | Sometimes | b |\n| | Often | c |\n| | | |\n| 8 | Have unusual, inappropriate, or repetitive behaviours (eg uncontrolled eating, spinning objects, hand flapping, rocking, calling out or saying the same thing over and over again)? | Response code |\n| | Never | a |\n| | Sometimes | b |\n| | Often | c |\n\n\nPart 2—Professional questionnaire\n\nDivision A\n\n \n\nThis is an assessment of personal activities of daily living. For each function, the treating health professional must tick only the box that best describes the person receiving care.\n\nThe information under each function should be used as a record of what a person does, not as a record of what a person could do.\n\nThe main aim is to establish degree of independence from any help, physical or verbal, however minor and for whatever reason.\n\nThe need for supervision renders the person not independent.\n\nA person’s performance should be established using the best available evidence. Asking the person, friends or relatives or both, and nurses will be the usual source, but direct observation and common sense are also important. However, direct testing is not needed.\n\nUsually the performance over the preceding 24-48 hours is important, but occasionally longer periods will be relevant.\n\nMiddle categories imply that the person supplies more than 50% of the effort.\n\nUse of aids to be independent is allowed.\n\n \n\n| 1 | Bowels - Assess preceding week. If needs enema, then ‘incontinent’. | Response code |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| | Incontinent (or needs to be given enema) | a |\n| | Occasional accident (once a week) | b |\n| | Continent | c |\n| | | |\n| 2 | Bladder - Assess preceding week. Occasional = less than once a day. A catheterised person who can completely manage the catheter alone is registered as ‘continent’. | Response code |\n| | Incontinent or catheterised and unable to manage | a |\n| | Occasional accident (once a week) | b |\n| | Continent | c |\n| | | |\n| 3 | Grooming - Assess preceding 24-48 hours. Refers to personal hygiene including cleaning teeth, fitting false teeth, doing hair, shaving, washing face. Implements can be provided by helper. | Response code |\n| | Needs help with personal care: face, hair, teeth | a |\n| | Independent (implements provided) | b |\n\n\n \n\n- 4 Toilet use - Should be able to reach toilet or commode, undress sufficiently, clean self, dress and leave. With help = can wipe self, and could do some of the above. Response code\n- Dependent a\n- Need some help but can do some things alone b\n- Independent (on and off, wiping, dressing) c\n- 5 Feeding - Able to eat any normal food (not only soft food). Food cooked and served by others, but not cut up. Help = food cut up, person feeds self. Response code\n- Unable a\n- Needs help in cutting, spreading butter etc b\n- Independent (food provided within reach) c\n- 6 Transfer - From bed to chair and back. Unable = no sitting balance (unable to sit), 2 people to lift. Major help = 1 strong or skilled or 2 normal people. Can sit up. Minor help = 1 person easily, or needs any supervision for safety. Response code\n- Unable - no sitting balance a\n- Major help (physical, 1 or 2 people), can sit b\n- Minor help (verbal or physical) c\n- Independent d\n- 7 Mobility - Refers to mobility about house or indoors. May use aid. If in wheelchair, must negotiate corners or doors or both unaided. Help = by 1 untrained person, including supervision, moral support. Response code\n- Immobile a\n- Wheelchair independent, including corners etc (i.e. uses wheelchair without assistance) b\n- Walks with help of 1 person (verbal or physical) c\n- Independent d\n- 8 Dressing - Should be able to select and put on all clothes which may be adapted. Half = requires help with buttons, zips etc but can put on some garments alone. Response code\n- Dependent a\n- Needs help but can do about half unaided b\n- Independent (including buttons, zips, laces etc) c\n- 9 Stairs - To be independent must be able to carry any walking aid used. Response code\n- Unable a\n- Needs help (verbal, physical, carrying aid) b\n- Independent up and down c\n- 10 Bathing - Usually the most difficult activity. Bath: Independent = must get in and out unsupervised, and wash self. Shower: Independent = unsupervised or unaided or both. Response code\n- Dependent a\n- Independent b\n\n\n \n\nDivision B\n\n \n\n- 1 In your opinion is the person cognitively impaired? Response code\n- No, please go to Division C a\n- Yes, please answer question 2 b\n- 2 Cognitive Function Response code\n- This is an assessment of cognitive function. Ask the person receiving care for the following information. Tick box () to indicate if the person’s answers were right or wrong.\n- Right Wrong\n- Time (to nearest hour) a\n- Memory Phrase: Repeat this phrase after me and remember it for later - 42 West Street\n- Name of institution or suburb where the person lives b\n- Recognition of 2 persons in the room (doctor, nurse, carer etc) c\n- Date of birth (day, month and year) d\n- Name of present Prime Minister of Australia e\n- Count backwards from 20 to 1 f\n- Repeat the memory phrase g\n- 3 Unable to administer Abbreviated Mental Test because: Response code\n- Person unable to communicate a\n- Person refuses to participate b\n\n\n \n\nDivision C\n\n \n\nFor each question tick () the response code that best describes the person’s usual state.\n\n \n\nDoes the person:\n\n \n\n| 1 | Show signs of depression? | Response code |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| | Never | a |\n| | Sometimes | b |\n| | Most of the time | c |\n| | | |\n| 2 | Shows signs of memory loss? | Response code |\n| | Never | a |\n| | Sometimes | b |\n| | Most of the time | c |\n| | | |\n| 3 | Withdraw from social contact? | Response code |\n| | Never | a |\n| | Sometimes | b |\n| | Most of the time | c |\n| | | |\n| 4 | Display aggression towards self or others? | Response code |\n| | Never | a |\n| | Sometimes | b |\n| | Often | c |\n| |
| |\n| 5 | Display disinhibited behaviour? | Response code |\n| | Never | a |\n| | Sometimes | b |\n| | Often | c |\n\n\nSchedule 2—Rating method \n\n (section 2.3)\n\nSTEP 1\n\n If a medical practitioner has certified that the care receiver is in the terminal phase of a terminal illness and is not expected to live for more than 3 months, add a value of 30 to the professional questionnaire component of the total final score.\n\n No further steps are relevant where the relevant qualification provisions of the Act state that the final total score to qualify for carer payment or carer allowance is 30 or less.\n\nSTEP 2\n\n (1) Calculate a score for each question in the claimant questionnaire of the Adult Disability Assessment Tool set out in Part 2 of this instrument. If a claimant has marked more than 1 answer to any question in division A, B or C, accept only the answer which gives the highest score.\n\n (2) Calculate the total score for each division by adding the score for each answer in that division.\n\n (3) Calculate the total claimant questionnaire score by adding the total score from each division of the Adult Disability Assessment Tool.\n\n \n\n Division A\n\n \n\n| Question | Answer | Value | Score |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 3 | |\n| | c | 6 | |\n| | d | 9 | |\n| 2 | a | 2 | |\n| | b | 1 | |\n| | c | 0 | |\n| 3 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 3 | |\n| | c | 6 | |\n| | d | 9 | |\n| 4 | a | 3 | |\n| | b | 2 | |\n| | c | 1 | |\n| | d | 0 | |\n| 5 | a | 3 | |\n| | b | 2 | |\n| | c | 1 | |\n| | d | 0 | |\n| 6 | a | 9 | |\n| | b | 6 | |\n| | c | 3 | |\n| | d | 0 | |\n| 7 | a | 3 | |\n| | b | 2 | |\n| | c | 1 | |\n| | d | 0 | |\n| 8 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 1.5 | |\n| | c | 3 | |\n| | d | 0 | |\n| 9 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 1.5 | |\n| | c | 3 | |\n| | d | 4.5 | |\n| 10 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 2.5 | |\n| | c | 5 | |\n| | d | 7.5 | |\n| 11 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 1.25 | |\n| | c | 2.5 | |\n| | d | 3.75 | |\n| 12 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 1.25 | |\n| | c | 2.5 | |\n| | d | 3.75 | |\n| 13 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 2 | |\n| | c | 4 | |\n| | d | 6 | |\n| 14 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 1 | |\n| | c | 2 | |\n| | d | 3 | |\n| | e | 0 | |\n| 15 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 1 | |\n| | c | 2 | |\n| | d | 3 | |\n| | e | 0 | |\n\n\nTotal A =\n\nDivision B\n\n \n\n| Question | Answer | Value | Score |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 0.5 | |\n| | c | 1 | |\n| | d | 1.5 | |\n| 2 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 0.5 | |\n| | c | 1 | |\n| | d | 1.5 | |\n| 3 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 1 | |\n| | c | 2 | |\n| | d | 3 | |\n| 4 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 1.5 | |\n| | c | 3 | |\n| | d | 4.5 | |\n| 5 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 1.5 | |\n| | c | 3 | |\n| | d | 4.5 | |\n| 6 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 1.5 | |\n| | c | 3 | |\n| | d | 4.5 | |\n\n\nTotal B =\n\n \n\n Division C\n\n \n\n| Question | Answer | Value | Score |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 3 | |\n| | c | 6 | |\n| 2 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 3 | |\n| | c | 6 | |\n| 3 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 3 | |\n| | c | 6 | |\n| 4 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 2 | |\n| | c | 4 | |\n| 5 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 2 | |\n| | c | 4 | |\n| 6 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 2 | |\n| | c | 4 | |\n| 7 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 3 | |\n| | c | 6 | |\n| 8 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 2 | |\n| | c | 4 | |\n\n\nTotal C =\n\n \n\nTotal A +\n\nTotal B +\n\nTotal C __________\n\n Total claimant questionnaire score \n\nSTEP 3\n\n (1) Calculate a score for each question in the professional questionnaire of the Adult Disability Assessment Tool. If a treating health professional has marked more than 1 answer to any question in division A or C, accept only the answer which gives the highest score. In division B, question 2, no score is given for a right answer; each wrong answer by the care receiver is allocated the score indicated. Where all answers to question 2 are left blank because the care receiver is unable to communicate, no points should be awarded for the question but points should be allocated in accordance with question 3.\n\n (2) Calculate the total score for each division by adding the score for each answer in that division.\n\n (3) Calculate the total professional questionnaire score by adding the total score from each division of the Adult Disability Assessment Tool.\n\n \n\n Division A\n\n \n\n| Question | Answer | Value | Score |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | a | 3 | |\n| | b | 1.5 | |\n| | c | 0 | |\n| 2 | a | 3 | |\n| | b | 1.5 | |\n| | c | 0 | |\n| 3 | a | 2 | |\n| | b | 0 | |\n| 4 | a | 3 | |\n| | b | 1.5 | |\n| | c | 0 | |\n| 5 | a | 5 | |\n| | b | 2.5 | |\n| | c | 0 | |\n| 6 | a | 9 | |\n| | b | 6 | |\n| | c | 3 | |\n| | d | 0 | |\n| 7 | a | 9 | |\n| | b | 4.5 | |\n| | c | 4.5 | |\n| | d | 0 | |\n| 8 | a | 5 | |\n| | b | 2.5 | |\n| | c | 0 | |\n| 9 | a | 4 | |\n| | b | 2 | |\n| | c | 0 | |\n| 10 | a | 2.5 | |\n| | b | 0 | |\n\n\nTotal A =\n\n \n\n Division B\n\n \n\n| Question | Answer | Value | Score |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | a | Nil | |\n| | b | Nil | |\n| 2 | a | 1.5 | |\n| Maximum | b | 1.5 | |\n| score for | c | 1.5 | |\n| question | d | 1.5 | |\n| 2 is 10.5 | e | 1.5 | |\n| | f | 1.5 | |\n| | g | 1.5 | |\n| 3* | a | 8.5 | |\n| | b | 8.5 | |\n\n\nTotal B =\n\n * If question 3 is answered, ignore any points awarded in question 2 of this division.\n\n \n\n Division C\n\n \n\n| Question | Answer | Value | Score |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 2 | |\n| | c | 4 | |\n| 2 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 1.5 | |\n| | c | 3 | |\n| 3 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 2 | |\n| | c | 4 | |\n| 4 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 3 | |\n| | c | 6 | |\n| 5 | a | 0 | |\n| | b | 2 | |\n| | c | 4 | |\n\n\nTotal C =\n\n \n\nTotal A +\n\nTotal B +\n\nTotal C _________\n\nTotal professional questionnaire score \n\nSTEP 4\n\n Add the claimant questionnaire total score (from step 2) and the professional questionnaire total score (from step 3) to achieve a final total score.\n\nTotal claimant questionnaire score +\n\nTotal professional questionnaire score _________\n\nTotal final score \n\nSTEP 5\n\n The minimum professional questionnaire score that must be achieved if an individual is to qualify for payments is as follows:\n\n1. a professional questionnaire score of 8 for carer payment under subparagraph 197D(1)(a)(i) of the Act;\n2. a professional questionnaire score of 10 for carer payment under subparagraph 198(2)(a)(i) of the Act;\n3. a professional questionnaire score of 32 where an individual care recipient is qualified to have more than one carer for carer payment under subparagraph 198(2)(a)(ii) of the Act;\n4. a professional questionnaire score of 8 for carer payment where the care is provided to an adult and that adult’s dependent child under subparagraph 198(2)(d)(i) of the Act;\n5. a professional questionnaire score of 12 for carer allowance (adult) under paragraph 954(1)(c) of the Act;\n6. a professional questionnaire score of 12 for carer allowance under paragraph 954A(1)(c) of the Act.\n\n\n \n\nNote: Satisfying the minimum professional questionnaire score does not automatically qualify a person for the relevant payment. Both the minimum professional questionnaire score and the minimum total final score must be satisfied to qualify for the relevant payment.\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: establishing a disability assessment tool for carers of adults. It implements the specific power in section 38C of the Social Security Act 1991 to create a test and rating method. The content covers exactly what the enabling legislation authorises—questionnaires for assessment and a scoring methodology—without expanding into unrelated areas."},"complexity_factors":["Two separate questionnaires with different scoring methodologies (claimant vs professional)","Mathematical scoring system with decimal values (1.25, 1.5, 2.5) and conditional logic (taking highest score when multiple answers marked)","Special handling for cognitive testing in Division B of professional questionnaire (wrong answers scored, maximum cap of 10.5, override rule if question 3 answered)","Six different minimum professional score thresholds depending on which specific payment provision applies (ranging from 8 to 32)","Terminal illness bypass provision that adds 30 points and potentially skips remaining steps","Cross-references to multiple sections of the Social Security Act 1991 (sections 197D, 198, 954, 954A) for qualification criteria","Defined terms and delegation powers (Secretary's approval of treating health professionals)"],"plain_english_summary":"This law creates a standardised assessment—the Adult Disability Assessment Tool—to measure how much care an adult with disability needs and to determine eligibility for Carer Payment and Carer Allowance. It affects carers applying for or maintaining payments, health professionals conducting assessments, and people with disability being assessed.\n\nBy replacing subjective judgments with scored questionnaires, the tool aims to allocate financial support to carers providing substantial, ongoing care across Australia."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument implements the Adult Disability Assessment Tool under section 38C of the Social Security Act (s 1.3; s 1.6). It prescribes how assessments are collected, scored and combined for eligibility decisions but does not itself alter which payments or recipients are within the statutory scheme. It defines 'adult' (16+) for the tool and sets procedural requirements (s 1.4; s 2.1; Schedule 2 Steps 1–5)."},"complexity_factors":["Dual-source assessment: combined claimant and professional questionnaires contribute to a final score (s 2.1; Step 4, Schedule 2).","Detailed numeric scoring including fractional values and multiple divisions increases calculation complexity (Step 2 and Step 3, Schedule 2).","Multiple conditional rules (terminal illness add-on in Step 1; highest-score rule when multiple answers marked in Step 2(1) and Step 3(1)).","Different minimum professional-questionnaire thresholds tied to specific Act paragraphs create decision branches for various payments (Step 5, Schedule 2).","Secretary discretion to approve treating health professionals and to require replacement professional questionnaires if accuracy is doubted (s 1.5; s 2.2(2)(a)–(3)).","Procedural compliance burden on claimants and on approved treating health professionals to complete forms accurately (s 2.1; Schedule 1).","Interaction with external certification (medical practitioner terminal-phase certification in Step 1) and with statutory eligibility rules in the Social Security Act (s 1.6 note).","Implementation risks from subjective judgments (eg cognitive assessments, behavioural ratings) producing materially different scores between assessors (Schedule 1 Part 2, Divisions B–C)."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument creates the Adult Disability Assessment Tool (ADAT): two questionnaires (a claimant form and a treating health professional form), a numerical scoring method and minimum professional-score thresholds that feed into eligibility for carer payment and carer allowance under the Social Security Act. It affects adults (16+) who receive care and the people who claim support for their care; the Secretary and approved treating health professionals decide how the responses are recorded and whether a professional questionnaire is accepted (see ss 2.1–2.3, Schedule 2)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/adult-disability-assessment-determination-2018","history":"/api/acts/adult-disability-assessment-determination-2018/history","analysis":"/api/acts/adult-disability-assessment-determination-2018/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/adult-disability-assessment-determination-2018/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/adult-disability-assessment-determination-2018/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/adult-disability-assessment-determination-2018/documents"}}