{"id":"F2019L00285","name":"Social Security (Special Circumstances Exemption to Youth Allowance Activity Test Guidelines) Instrument 2019","slug":"social-security-special-circumstances-exemption-to-youth-allowance-activity-test-guidelines-instrume","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":439975,"registerId":"F2019L00285-fast-fetch-1775955788074","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Social Security (Special Circumstances Exemption to Youth Allowance Activity Test Guidelines) Instrument 2019","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![Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia](image.001.jpeg)\n\n \n\nSocial Security (Special Circumstances   Exemption to Youth Allowance Activity Test Guidelines) Instrument 2019\n\nI, KELLY O’DWYER, Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations, make the following Instrument.\n\nDated 7 March 2019   \n\nKELLY O’DWYER\n\nMinister for Jobs and Industrial Relations\n\n \n\nContents\n\n \n\nPart 1 Preliminary\n\n1  Name\n\n2  Commencement\n\n3  Authority\n\n4  Definitions\n\n5  Schedules\n\nPart 2 Guidelines\n\n6  Guidelines for Secretary relating to special circumstances\n\n7  Major disruption to a person’s home\n\n8  Major personal crisis\n\n9  Carer duties\n\n10  Serving on a jury\n\n11  Refugees\n\n12  Community Service orders\n\nSchedule 1—Repeals\n\nYouth Allowance (Activity Test Exemption Guidelines) Determination 1998\n\n \n\n \n\nPart 1 Preliminary\n\n1  Name\n\n  This instrument is the Social Security (Special Circumstances Exemption to Youth Allowance Activity Test Guidelines) Instrument 2019.\n\n2  Commencement \n\n (1) Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.\n\n \n\n- Commencement information\n- Column 1 Column 2 Column 3\n- Provisions Commencement Date/Details\n- 1. The whole of this instrument The day after this instrument is registered. 14 March 2019\n\n\nNote:  This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.\n\n (2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.\n\n3  Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under subsection 542H(1B) of the Act.\n\n4  Definitions\n\nNote: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:\n\n(a) family member;\n\n(b) member of a couple.\n\n  In this instrument:\n\nAct means the Social Security Act 1991.\n\n5  Schedules\n\n  Each instrument that is specified in Schedule 1 to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule.\n\nPart 2 Guidelines\n\n6  Guidelines for Secretary relating to special circumstances  \n\n  This Part sets out guidelines for the exercise of the Secretary’s power in subsection 542H(1) of the Act. Under subsection 542H(1) a person has a special circumstances exemption in respect of a period if the Secretary is satisfied that:\n\n (a) special circumstances, beyond the person’s control, exist; and\n\n (b) in those circumstances, it would be unreasonable to expect the person to satisfy the activity test for that period.\n\n7  Major disruption to a person’s home\n\n  Special circumstances\n\n (1) Special circumstances, beyond a person’s control, exist if:\n\n (a) a major disruptive event affects the person’s home; and\n\n (b) the event has a major disruptive consequence for the person.\n\n  Examples of a major disruptive event\n\n (2) A major disruptive event includes, but is not limited to, each of the following:\n\n (a) a flood;\n\n (b) a fire;\n\n (c) an earthquake;\n\n (d) vandalism;\n\n (e) burglary.\n\n  Examples of a major disruptive consequence for a person\n\n (3) A major disruptive consequence for a person includes, but is not limited to, each of the following:\n\n (a) the person needs to arrange alternative accommodation;\n\n (b) the person needs to arrange to replace significant household items;\n\n (c) the person needs to organise major home repairs;\n\n (d) the person needs to make insurance claims for damage to household items or the home.\n\n  Maximum exemption period\n\n (4) In the special circumstances mentioned in subsection (1), it may be unreasonable to expect the person to satisfy the activity test for a period of up to 2 weeks, starting when the major disruptive event occurs.\n\n8  Major personal crisis\n\n  Special circumstances\n\n (1) Special circumstances, beyond a person’s control, exist if:\n\n (a) the person is experiencing a major personal crisis; and\n\n (b) the experience has a major disruptive consequence for the person.\n\n  Examples of a major personal crisis\n\n (2) A major personal crisis includes, but is not limited to, each of the following:\n\n (a) the death of a family member;\n\n (b) for a person who is a member of a couple, the breakdown of that relationship;\n\n (c) the person is homeless and unable to obtain stable accommodation;\n\n (d) domestic violence.\n\n  Examples of a major disruptive consequence for a person\n\n (3) A major disruptive consequence includes, but is not limited to, each of the following:\n\n (a) the person needs to arrange a funeral for a deceased family member or make arrangements for the property of the deceased family member;\n\n (b) the person needs to arrange alternative accommodation;\n\n (c) the person needs to move belongings away from his or her present accommodation;\n\n (d) the person needs to arrange care for his or her child;\n\n (e) the person needs to attend counselling.\n\n  Maximum exemption period\n\n (4) In the special circumstances mentioned in subsection (1), except where the person is homeless and unable to obtain stable accommodation, it may be unreasonable to expect the person to satisfy the activity test:\n\n (a)  for a period of up to 2 weeks, starting when the person begins to experience the major personal crisis; or\n\n (b) for a period of up to 4 weeks, if the special circumstances are extremely traumatic for the person, starting when the person begins to experience the major crisis.\n\n (5) In the circumstance where the person is homeless and unable to obtain stable accommodation, it may be unreasonable to expect the person to satisfy the activity test for a period of up to 13 weeks, starting at the beginning of that circumstance.\n\n9  Carer duties\n\n  Special circumstances\n\n (1) Special circumstances, beyond a person’s control, exist where:\n\n (a) a family member of the person is temporarily incapacitated due to illness or accident; and\n\n (b) the family member needs full-time care during the incapacity; and\n\n (c) the person provides the care; and\n\n (d) other ways of providing the care are not reasonably available; and\n\n (e) the person does not qualify for a carer payment under section 198 of the Act; and\n\n (f) the person is unable to satisfy the activity test because the person is providing the care.\n\n  Definition of care\n\n (2) In this section, care includes the following:\n\n (a) attention;\n\n (b) supervision.\n\n  Maximum exemption period\n\n (3) In the special circumstances mentioned in subsection (1), it may be unreasonable to expect the person to satisfy the activity test:\n\n (a) for a period of up to13 weeks, starting when the person begins to provide the care; and\n\n (b) for a further period of up to 13 weeks, if, at the end of the initial 13 week period the special circumstances remain unchanged.\n\n10  Serving on a jury\n\n  Special circumstances\n\n (1) Special circumstances, beyond a person’s control, exist if the person is serving on a jury and, under the laws of the Commonwealth, State or Territory, as the case may be, the person:\n\n (a) is eligible to serve on the jury; and\n\n (b) is not exempt from liability to serve on the jury; and\n\n (c) is not disqualified from serving on the jury.\n\n  Maximum exemption period\n\n (2) In the special circumstances mentioned in subsection (1), it may be unreasonable to expect the person to satisfy the activity test:\n\n (a) for the period for which the person is empanelled on the jury or for a period of up to 13 weeks, whichever is the shorter; and\n\n (b) for a further period of up to 13 weeks if, at the end of the initial period, the special circumstances remain unchanged.\n\n11  Refugees\n\n  Special circumstances\n\n (1) Special circumstances, beyond a person’s control, exist if the person is a refugee.\n\n  Definition of refugee\n\n (2) In this section, refugee has the meaning in subsection 7(6B) of the Act.\n\n  Maximum exemption period\n\n (3) In the special circumstances mentioned in subsection (1), it may be unreasonable to expect the person to satisfy the activity test for a period of up to 13 weeks, starting when the person enters Australia.\n\n12  Community Service orders\n\n  Special circumstances\n\n (1) Special circumstances, beyond a person’s control, exist if the person is subject to a community service order requiring the person to perform more than 20 hours of community service for each week that the order has effect.\n\n (2) In the special circumstances mentioned in subsection (1), it may be unreasonable to expect the person to satisfy the activity test:\n\n (a) for the duration of the community service order or for a period of up to 13 weeks, whichever is the shorter; and\n\n (b) for a further period of up to 13 weeks, if, at the end of the initial 13 week period the special circumstances remain unchanged.\n\n \n\n\n\n\nSchedule 1—Repeals\n\nYouth Allowance (Activity Test Exemption Guidelines) Determination 1998\n\n1  The whole of the instrument\n\nRepeal the instrument\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"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":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument repeals the earlier Youth Allowance (Activity Test Exemption Guidelines) Determination 1998 (Schedule 1) and replaces it with a set of updated, category‑based guidelines (see Schedule 1 repeal; s6 guidance under the Secretary’s power). Mechanically, it formalises specified categories, conditions and time caps for exemptions and centralises decision authority with the Secretary under subsection 542H(1) of the Act (s3 Authority; s6). The source text does not provide a direct comparison of how each category’s reach differs from the 1998 instrument, only that the earlier instrument is repealed."},"complexity_factors":["Secretary’s discretionary decision-making standard under the Act and these guidelines (see s3 Authority; s6 Guidelines for Secretary relating to special circumstances) creates administrative judgment calls on subjective facts.","Multiple distinct categories with differing eligibility conditions and maximum periods (s7–s12), increasing rules management: short caps (e.g. up to 2 weeks for home disruption, s7(4)) versus longer caps (e.g. up to 13 weeks for refugees, s11(3) and homelessness, s8(5)).","Extension mechanics and staged time limits: initial periods with possible further 13‑week extensions in several categories (see s9(3)(b); s10(2)(b); s12(2)(b)), requiring ongoing reassessment.","Interplay with other benefits and eligibility tests (e.g. exemption conditioned on not qualifying for carer payment, s9(1)(e)) introduces cross-program verification.","Broad, example-based definitions of qualifying events and consequences (e.g. lists of illustrative events and consequences in s7(2)–(3) and s8(2)–(3)) leave room for case‑by‑case interpretation and evidentiary requirements.","Operational verification burden on the agency to assess timing, onset and continuity of circumstances (various start-date rules such as s7(4), s8(4)–(5), s11(3)) increases administrative workload.","Repeal of prior instrument (Schedule 1) creates transition and interpretation tasks for caseworkers and systems."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument gives the Secretary formal guidelines to grant temporary exemptions from the Youth Allowance activity test where a young person faces defined “special circumstances” (for example: major home disruption, a major personal crisis including homelessness, carer duties, jury service, refugee arrival, or heavy community service). It specifies the qualifying conditions and maximum exemption periods for each category and repeals the prior 1998 guidelines. The Secretary decides eligibility; affected recipients may be excused from activity obligations for set periods while the department verifies the circumstances."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument maintains the same scope as its predecessor (the 1998 Determination it repeals). It continues to provide guidelines for special circumstances exemptions to the Youth Allowance activity test. While it updates and restructures the content, it does not expand beyond the original purpose of specifying when the Secretary may grant exemptions due to circumstances beyond a person's control."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument: only 12 substantive sections plus preliminary matters","Simple structure: six discrete categories of exemption with parallel formatting","Minimal cross-referencing: only references to Social Security Act 1991 (subsections 542H(1) and 542H(1B), and section 198)","Limited defined terms: only two explicit definitions ('Act' and 'care'), plus inherited definitions from the parent Act","Clear conditional logic: each exemption follows a consistent pattern of (a) defining special circumstances, (b) giving examples, (c) stating maximum exemption period","No nested exceptions: each category stands alone without sub-exceptions or complex provisos","Straightforward temporal calculations: fixed week-based periods (2, 4, or 13 weeks) with simple extension mechanisms"],"plain_english_summary":"This law lets Centrelink grant temporary exemptions from the Youth Allowance \"activity test\" when young recipients face serious disruptions—e.g., disasters, domestic violence, caring emergencies, jury service, recent refugee arrival, or court-ordered community work. It provides time-limited breaks (with possible extensions) so vulnerable young people don’t lose income support while unable to meet study, training or job-search requirements, and replaces the 1998 guidelines."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/social-security-special-circumstances-exemption-to-youth-allowance-activity-test-guidelines-instrume","history":"/api/acts/social-security-special-circumstances-exemption-to-youth-allowance-activity-test-guidelines-instrume/history","analysis":"/api/acts/social-security-special-circumstances-exemption-to-youth-allowance-activity-test-guidelines-instrume/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/social-security-special-circumstances-exemption-to-youth-allowance-activity-test-guidelines-instrume/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/social-security-special-circumstances-exemption-to-youth-allowance-activity-test-guidelines-instrume/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/social-security-special-circumstances-exemption-to-youth-allowance-activity-test-guidelines-instrume/documents"}}