Social Services Act (No. 4) 1973

2. Special treatment for people aged 75+ receiving an age pension People aged 75 and over who receive (or are eligible for) an age pension are given the same exemptions from the income and assets "means test" (a financial assessment to determine eligibility) as permanently blind people. This means they do not have to report income or property in the same way as younger pensioners.

3. New "Transitional Benefit for the Aged Blind" (Division 4b) A brand new payment is created — a "transitional benefit" of $156 per year — payable to permanently blind people of pension age who are already receiving an age or invalid pension. This is an additional top-up payment on top of their existing pension.

4. New "Double Orphans' Pension" (Part VIa) A completely new type of pension is introduced for children who have lost both parents (or both adoptive parents). The person or institution caring for such a child can receive $10 per week on top of any existing child endowment (a family payment). If the whereabouts of a surviving parent are simply unknown, that parent is treated as deceased for eligibility purposes — but the carer must notify authorities within 14 days if they later find out where that parent is.

5. Benevolent home residents — updated payment caps The maximum pension amount paid to people living in government-supported care homes is updated to $416 per year (or $468 if they also receive a carer's allowance).

6. Vocational training improvements People undergoing rehabilitation or vocational training (including widows) get:

• A higher training allowance for full-time training ($8/week, up from $4/week)
• Clearer rules about living-away-from-home allowances for trainees who must relocate
• An expanded definition of "child" for training support purposes — including full-time students up to age 16

7. Tax deductions from pension payments Previously, pension payments could not be touched or redirected (they were "inalienable" — meaning legally protected from being taken). A new exception is added allowing the Tax Commissioner to have tax deductions made directly from pension payments, at the pensioner's request or as required under tax law.

8. Funeral benefit rules updated The rules about who qualifies as a "pensioner" for funeral benefit purposes are updated to account for recent increases in pension rates — not just means-test changes.

9. Transitional payment rules Detailed rules are set out for when the new and increased payment rates take effect, so that people already receiving payments receive the benefit from the appropriate payment date.

Why does it matter?

This Act represents a meaningful expansion of the social safety net in 1973 Australia. It increases payment rates, creates new entitlements (particularly for blind pensioners and double orphans), and eases administrative obligations for older Australians aged 75 and over. It reflects a broader policy shift toward greater support for vulnerable Australians during the Whitlam Government era.