1
Name
1 Name
This instrument is the Social Security (Special Disability Trust – Discretionary Spending) Determination 2017.
//
© 2026 Zoe. All rights reserved.
Zoe is a legal information platform. Always consult the Federal Register of Legislation for authoritative text.
Commonwealth legislation
This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.
This determination sets the annual cap on discretionary spending from a Special Disability Trust — funds families use for non‑core but beneficiary‑focused items (holidays, entertainment, personal goods). For 2017–18 the limit is $11,750. Spending above this may be assessed under social security means tests and could reduce the beneficiary’s pension or benefits.
Want the full deep dive?
Zoe can write the in-depth analysis on top of the summary above: how it works, who it affects and what each part actually does.
Direct links to the current provisions in Social Security (Special Disability Trust – Discretionary Spending) Determination 2017.
This instrument is the Social Security (Special Disability Trust – Discretionary Spending) Determination 2017.
This instrument commences on 1 July 2017.
The Social Security (Special Disability Trust ‑ Discretionary Spending) Determination 2016 is revoked on the commencement of this determination.
In this Determination:
Act means the Social Security Act 1991.
special disability trust has the meaning given by section 1209L of the Act.
For subsection 1209RA(3) of the Act, the maximum value of income and assets that can be applied by a special disability trust for other purposes that are primarily for the benefit of the principal beneficiary (other than purposes that are the primary purpose of the special disability trust) is $11,750 for the 2017‑2018 financial year.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
This instrument is the Social Security (Special Disability Trust – Discretionary Spending) Determination 2017.
This instrument commences on 1 July 2017.
The Social Security (Special Disability Trust ‑ Discretionary Spending) Determination 2016 is revoked on the commencement of this determination.
In this Determination:
Act means the Social Security Act 1991.
special disability trust has the meaning given by section 1209L of the Act.
For subsection 1209RA(3) of the Act, the maximum value of income and assets that can be applied by a special disability trust for other purposes that are primarily for the benefit of the principal beneficiary (other than purposes that are the primary purpose of the special disability trust) is $11,750 for the 2017‑2018 financial year.