Coding income and assets for Centrelink payments and services 108-04010000
This document outlines how to record and update:
- income and asset details for new and existing income support payment customers
- aged care means test assessments, and
- certain concession cards
It covers general information and processes for coding changes of circumstances and new claims. For help with assessing and coding a specific asset or type of income, see the relevant Operational Blueprint. Some are listed in Related links below.
Staff trained in Process Direct and activity type able to be actioned in Process Direct, select the Process Direct tab. Staff not trained in Process Direct or activity type unable to be actioned in Process Direct, select the Customer First tab.
Process Direct
On this page:
Coding various types of income and assets
Coding financial assets and cryptocurrencies
Updating income and assets
Table 1
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Income and assets update advisedSee Verifying income and assets or Documents required for Centrelink new claims to determine if further verification is required. Income and asset updates:
Note: for a change of circumstances, refer to small change to asset values to determine whether the customer is required to notify. Service Officers should promote the use of self service when appropriate, for most customers these channels are the quickest and easiest options. For more information see, Income and assets options online. Service Officers without the appropriate skill tags must refer the update to a specialised team to complete. For example, updates to a private trust need a referral to a Complex Assessment Officer (CAO). See Identifying and making suitable referrals to the Complex Assessment Officer (CAO). | |
Updating income and assets for a change of circumstances (CoC)For updates
Note: if the Manage My Payment review (MMP) and Savings (SVDI/SVS) are pre-selected in the task selector and the customer has an outstanding MMP review, see Manage My Payment. Is there an existing item to be updated?
Note: if an error is identified from previous coding and corrective action is needed, select the Edit icon to update information. For updates made by customers online, the process is the same as above, but with the following differences:
For updates where multiple documents are provided for a current customer and/or partner (e.g., several bank statements covering past periods):
Clearly document details including the event dates and decision for applying the updated balances. | |
Updating income and assets for a new claim
If a new entry was entered into the new claim activity, ensure any provisional data for the same item is deleted to prevent duplication when finalising the claim. For example, an online claim defaults Superannuation as MIUS and Service Officer correctly codes product via MIP, the provisional MIUS coding created by the claim declaration must be deleted. Check all income and asset categories and, where applicable, remove (zero) any income and assets that no longer exist. | |
Assessing and coding income and assetsReview the relevant procedure to determine assessment and coding of the income/asset changes declared by the customer.
Check that the income/asset has been declared as the appropriate type. If not, make sure that details are recorded using the correct available options. This includes where details are declared using ‘other’ options and there is a more appropriate income/asset type. For multiple updates, staff can only process updates when all information, including any related source, is provided. For example:
Note: staff must use the date of receipt the agency first became aware of the event, see Date of receipt for coding a reassessment. Is additional information required to complete the update?
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Requesting informationSee Requesting information (CLK). If there is an existing change of circumstances (CoC) transaction:
Procedure ends here until the information is available. | |
Finalising an income and asset updateFor unfavourable decisions, see Advising verbally of an unfavourable decision. Confirm assessment results are correct and as expected prior to finalising. Refer to the following for further details, depending on results:
New claims Once all income and asset updates are completed, return to the relevant Operational Blueprint for the claim type being processed. Change of circumstances (CoC) update Once all updates are completed:
The transaction completes and Notes replicate to the Document List (DL). Note: for a failed Online update, make sure the status of the transaction is set to Completed. In:
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Coding various types of income and assets
Table 2
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Other government paymentsSelect required information: Details needed to code this
Coding
Parent on approved DVA payment Make sure the correct details are coded on the Veterans' Affairs Pension (DVA, DVAS) screen on the parent's record. This is for the Parental Income Test (PIT) exemption for dependent YA, ABSTUDY and AIC customers. Coding payments from DVA Payments are coded on the DVA screen and require referral to DVA Clearance Team (SCS). See Payments from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) and referrals to the DVA Clearance Team). To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. | |
Cash on handCash on hand is subject to deeming. Income support recipients are not required to advise Centrelink of reasonable amounts which they are holding to meet day-to-day living expenses or pay outstanding bills. Judgement will need to be exercised in determining what is reasonable. Details needed to code this
Code the Balance Amount: field with the amount advised by the customer. CodingGo to Direct Investment Accounts (SVDI):
To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. | |
Money held in solicitors' trust accountsMoney held in solicitors’ trust accounts, such as pending property settlements, is subject to deeming once the customer has legal access to the funds. Details needed to code this
For property settlements due to separation see Assessment of assets. CodingGo to Direct Investment Account (SVDI) and insert the following information:
To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. | |
Uncleared chequesAn uncleared cheque (held by the customer) is available money and is subject to deeming. Details needed to code this
If the customer cannot provide these details, see Table 1 > Step 5. CodingGo to the Savings Summary (SVS, SVP, SVDI). Does the customer already have cash on hand recorded in the Direct Investment Account (SVDI) table?
To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. | |
Assurance of Support (AoS) bond lodged by customer for family memberAn AoS bond is a financial investment and is taken into account when assessing income and assets. Note: different rules apply when assessing liquid assets. For more information, see Liquid Assets Waiting Period (LAWP). Note: the value of the AoS bond may change if the assuree (the family member) claims Special Benefit (SpB). Update the AoS bond as an investment. See either:
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Paid Parental Leave scheme paymentsFor children born or entrusted to care on or after 1 October 2016, Parental Leave Pay (PPL) is counted as ordinary income for income support payments. Service Officers do not have to code the PPL income to the customer's record. It will be automatically included for assessment when the PPL claim is actioned.
In Customer First, PPL income details display on the P1CS screen and RCA Income Assessment Summary (RIAS). The PPL amounts will not display as Other Income (OIN). Do not code the amount to OIN. | |
Single investments held in trust (including Children’s bank accounts)Bank accounts and investments which are held in trust are covered by the assessment of private trusts from 1 January 2002. The delegation for the attribution decision rests with the Complex Assessment Officer (CAO). See Trusts. |
Coding financial assets and cryptocurrencies
Table 3
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Savings accounts - new bank accounts including term depositsSelect required information: Details needed to code thisCode the update if the customer can provide:
When information is missing, or clarification is needed about the claim or change of circumstance, staff should attempt to obtain information verbally. If this is not possible or practical, a written request will need to be sent, see Requesting information (CLK). Verification of bank accounts is only required for:
If supporting documents from a financial institution (bank, building society or credit union) are required, they must show:
Exceptions: online/digital only banks that do not provide bank statements. These accounts may have splitter or sub accounts where screenshots do not display a name or account number. Supporting documents that do not include the account holder(s) name or account number are acceptable where the delegate is satisfied the information supplied is true and correct. Note: an ATM receipt is not acceptable. The decision to accept the supporting documents should be recorded on a DOC. See Recording reasons for decisions. Credit union and building society account holders who have member shares, ask the customer for details of their member shares. See Adding shares and securities. If unable to locate the financial institution for the new account, check the FINS Bulletin first. If not found there, seek support via the Technical Support Model. CodingGo to the Savings Bank Account (SVP). Prior to coding the new bank account, to prevent potential duplication, ensure that it is not already coded on the Savings Summary (SVS, SVDA or SVDI) screens.
When a credit card or a line of credit account has a positive balance exceeding the credit limit, this positive balance amount is a financial asset and subject to deeming. Ensure to subtract the cost of items bought with the card that have not yet been included in the balance. Code via SVDI, see Step 4. See the Resources page for an example. If a customer advises they have a bank account or a line of credit with a negative balance, code the details as a savings account with a nil balance. If a customer advises the account is a mortgage saver or loan offset account, code the available balance of the account, as outlined above for savings accounts. A mortgage with a positive available balance redraw facility is not considered an asset, and coding is not required. To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. | |
Savings accounts - updating existing and closed accountsSelect required information: Details needed to code this
When information is missing, or clarification is needed about the claim or change of circumstance, staff should attempt to obtain information verbally. If this is not possible or practical, a written request will need to be sent, see Requesting information (CLK). Verification of bank accounts is only required for:
If supporting documents from a financial institution (bank, building society or credit union) are required, they must show:
Exception: online/digital only banks that do not provide bank statements. These accounts may have splitter or sub accounts where screenshots do not display a name or account number. Supporting documents that do not include the account holder(s) name or the name of the financial institution are acceptable where the delegate is satisfied the information supplied is true and correct. Note: an ATM receipt is not acceptable. For cases where bank statements cover past periods, see Table 1 > Step 2 The decision to accept the supporting documents should be recorded on a DOC. See Recording reasons for decisions. CodingPrior to updating bank accounts, check for any duplication of accounts on the SVDA or SVDI screens, if so, remove the duplicated bank account. Closed accounts - If the customer or their partner close a bank account/investment, do not delete the record. Update the balance to zero with the event date, and code 'Yes' in the Account Closed (Y/N): field. From Savings Summary (SVS):
For details on how to assess and record bank accounts or investments held in trust, see Trusts. Change in account ownership - If the customer has indicated a change in ownership of a bank account:
To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. | |
Bullion - gold, silver and platinumBullion is an asset often held for investment purposes as one of the following:
These financial investments are deemed and coded on the Direct Investment (SVDI). See FINS Bulletin - Bullion. The Resources page has a link. The following items are not bullion and are not subject to deeming provisions. they are to be included on the Other Assets (OASS) screen:
CodingGo to Direct Investment Account (SVDI) and insert the following information for bullion:
As these products are excluded from the bulk updates for listed share and unitised managed investments each March and September, see Table 3 > Step 3 on the Customer First tab to set up a Manual Follow-up (MFU) review reason INV for 'Bullion'. Note: for bullion held overseas, code on the SVDI screen as investment type OSA. See Table 3 > Step 4. To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. | |
Other savings and investment income (other than managed investments) - new accounts, overseas savings and foreign currency accounts, betting accounts, travel money cards and credit cards or a line of credit with a positive balanceAlso including bonds, debentures, loans, and church development funds, refer to Deeming exemptions for further information on church and charitable organisations prior to January 2010. See Resources page for an example of credit cards with a positive balance. Details needed to code this
If the customer cannot provide the above details, see Table 1 > Step 5. For Public Trustee cash accounts, where no units have been issued, check the FINS Bulletin first. For unitised Public Trustee investments see Managed investments - adding a new investment Table 1 > Step 3. If not found there, seek support via the Technical Support Model. Lines of credit may be attached to normal accounts. If they have a positive balance, they are financial assets and must be recorded as per savings accounts, see , see Step 1 or as below. A redraw facility is not coded. Betting accounts and credit cards with a positive balance are coded as Direct investment as the positive balance is a financial asset. However, for credit cards, subtract the cost of items already bought on the card which have not yet been included in the balance. See the Resources page for an example. Share trading accounts owned by customers, who are not considered self employed share traders, are subject to deeming provisions. Cash components of these accounts are to be coded under SVDI. If unable to locate the financial institution, check the FINS Bulletin first. If not found there, seek support via the Technical Support Model. CodingGo to Direct Investment Account (SVDI) and code:
Updates before 20 March or 20 September or CPI events If the bulk update for 20 March, 20 September or any other CPI event has been actioned, the Event Date may show as a date in the future when updating foreign bank accounts. For example, today’s date is 15 March and Event Date for the overseas bank account shows 20 March. In these cases, follow the Workaround for MIS/SIS/SVS updates immediately prior to 20 March or 20 September To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. | |
Other savings and investment income (other than managed investments) - updating existing or closed accountsFor details on how to assess and record bank accounts or investments held in trust, see Trusts. Details needed to code thisCode the update if the customer can provide:
If the customer cannot provide the above details, see Table 1 > Step 5. This does not include savings accounts. It does include bonds, debentures, loans, church development funds, overseas savings accounts, bullion, and accounts with an attached line of credit with a positive balance. It can also include credit cards if the positive balance exceeds any amount already spent on the card that has not yet been included in the balance. See the Resources page for an example. CodingFrom Savings Summary (SVS, SVP, SVDI):
To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. | |
SharesFor assessment details for adding shares and securities, see Adding shares and securities. For assessment details for updating shares and securities, see Updating shares and securities. | |
Managed InvestmentsIncluding Afforestation/plantation projects. For assessment details for adding a new managed investment, see Managed investments - adding a new investment. For assessment details for updating managed investments, see Managed investments - updating existing investments. | |
SuperannuationFor assessment details for adding or updating superannuation, see Assessing superannuation | |
Income StreamsFor assessment details for adding or updating income streams, see Income Streams. Note: if a Service Officer is not trained to assess income streams, adjust the workload management capabilities of the work item for allocation to an appropriately skilled officer. To reallocate the work item: In Process Direct:
In Work Optimiser:
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Insurance for household damagesIf the customer receives money to compensate for the loss of or damage to their buildings or personal effects, or to repay debt (for example, consumer credit insurance), the payment is not treated as income and is an exempt asset for social security purposes. For assessment details, see Exempt lump sums. | |
Cryptocurrencies or virtual currenciesCrypto or digital currency is a system of value. People invest in cryptocurrency with the hope of the asset increasing in value in the future, the same as how investors in the stock market purchase shares in the hope that share prices will increase. Common types of cryptocurrency include:
Cryptocurrency does not meet the definition of a financial asset and is not subject to the deeming provisions. Crypto holdings are however an assessable asset. While not considered a financial asset, cryptocurrency is included in the assessment of a Liquid Assets Waiting Period (LAWP). Manual calculation of the LAWP is required for customers with cryptocurrency. See Liquid Assets Waiting Period (LAWP). Customers are not able to update the value of their cryptocurrency assets online. If the customer regularly buys and sells cryptocurrencies with a view to making a profit, they may be considered self-employed and operating a business. See Sole Traders or Partnerships. Details needed to code thisCode the update if the customer can provide:
If the customer cannot provide the above information, see Table 1 > Step 5. Verification of cryptocurrencies is based on information on the value from any trading index or exchange. If the only price is available from the company website, this must be used. Finally, if there is no price on the website, then a statement can be sought, preferably from the company. If the cryptocurrency is in a foreign currency, convert it to Australian dollars. See Converting foreign currencies. Coding the Other Assets (OAS) screenTo record details of a new asset:
Code any income generated from the virtual currency on the OINS screen. Coding the Other Income (OIN) screenCode any income generated from the virtual currency on the OIN screen as type 'OTH' - Other. See Recording other income on the Other Income (OIN) screen. To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. |
Coding other assets
Table 4
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Household and personal effectsHousehold contents and personal effects includes:
Household contents and personal effects does not include:
Details needed to code thisVerification is not required for household and personal effects. Customers must provide the net market value of their total household and personal effects. This is not replacement or insured value. It is the amount likely to be received by selling the asset. If the value provided by the customer appears to be overstated, understated or not reasonable, clarify how they arrived at the value provided and assist the customer to provide a more reasonable value where appropriate. See Valuation of real estate and other assets if a valuation is appropriate. Factors to consider in determining whether the estimate is overstated or understated include:
If a customer provides an estimate of less than $10,000 this estimate should be accepted unless it appears that they have underestimated the value. The market value may be reduced if there is a loan or liability against the asset. See Loans and liabilities against assets. CodingTo record details of a new asset on Other Assets (OAS):
Note:
To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. | |
Motor vehicles, boats and caravansMotor vehicles includes cars, trucks, motor cycles, scooters, etc. Boats and caravans do not include those currently assessed as the person’s principal home. Details needed to code thisFor motor vehicles on finance lease or operating lease, supporting documentation should be requested.
Customers must provide the net market value of their motor vehicle, boat or caravan. This is not replacement or insured value. It is the amount likely to be received by selling the asset. If the customer is unsure of the value, Service Officers can access the Redbook website to locate a reasonable value. See the Resources page for a link. If the value provided by the customer appears to be understated or not reasonable, clarify how they arrived at the value provided and assist the customer to provide a more reasonable value where appropriate. See Valuation of real estate and other assets if a valuation is appropriate. The market value may be reduced if there is a loan or liability against the asset. CodingTo record details of a new asset on Other Assets (OAS):
Note:
To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. | |
LivestockLivestock which is not involved in the operation of a business is recorded as an other asset. If the livestock is part of a business structure, see Assets and liabilities of a business. Details needed to code thisVerification is not required for personal livestock unless the customer cannot provide accurate details or there is reason to doubt the customer’s declaration. Customers must provide the net market value of their personal livestock. If the value provided by the customer appears to be understated or not reasonable, clarify how they arrived at the value provided and assist the customer to provide a more reasonable value where appropriate. See Valuation of real estate and other assets if a valuation is appropriate. CodingTo record details of a new asset on Other Assets (OAS):
Note:
To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. | |
Asset value of life insuranceSelect required information: Details needed to code thisOnly policies with an investment component are assessable as an asset. These include whole of life insurance or endowment insurance. Products such as term insurance, disability, trauma or income protection insurance do not have a surrender value, so have a nil value for assets test purposes. The assessable value of a person's life assurance or insurance policy is the surrender (withdrawal) value of the policy unless:
In the above situation, the value of the life insurance policy is the higher of:
Example: Age Pensioner purchases a policy on 20 September 2019 via a $100,000 lump sum. The death benefit is equal to 120% of the lump sum, $120,000 and surrender value 80% of the death benefit $96,000. The assessable value is the higher $100,000 premium. If the customer cannot provide the details, the following formula is used to calculate the asset value: CodingTo record details of a new asset on Other Assets (OAS):
Note:
To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. | |
Other assetsOther assets include those which do not fit into the other categories of Household and personal effects, Motor vehicles, Boats, Caravans, Livestock or Life insurance. Examples of other assets may include:
If the asset is part of a business structure, see Assets and liabilities of a business. Details needed to code thisDepending on the type of asset, supporting documentation may be required to assist in determining the value of the asset. See Valuation of real estate and other assets. If the value provided by the customer appears to be understated or not reasonable, clarify how they arrived at the value provided and assist the customer to provide a more reasonable value where appropriate. See Valuation of real estate and other assets if a valuation is appropriate. The market value may be reduced if there is a loan or liability against the asset. CodingTo record details of a new asset on Other Assets (OAS):
Note:
To finalise the Change of Circumstances (CoC) update, see Table 1 > Step 6. |
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