Skip to navigation Skip to content

Special Disability Trust (SDT) - initial contact 043-04070000

This document outlines information to support initial contact about Special Disability Trusts (SDT).

Enquiries about potential eligibility

Step	Action
1	Initial contact The proposed sole beneficiary must be assessed to decide if they are eligible when a person contacts: to see if a new trust (yet to be established) or an existing trust will be considered an SDT, or to request a beneficiary assessment for the sole purpose of seeking a land tax exemption If the person is making general enquiries, refer them to a Financial Information Service Officer (FISO) who can discuss any potential impacts on social security entitlements, as well as broader financial implications. If a person is considering a contribution to an SDT, recommend they seek professional advice from their financial advisor, solicitor and/or accountant. There could be tax implications involved in this decision and the person needs to carefully consider the effect it may have on their financial security. Does the person want to discuss an SDT with a Financial Information Service (FIS) Officer? Yes, see Referring customers to FIS No: Refer general questions to the Services Australia website. Publications are also available at Department of Social Services If contact is to check potential eligibility for either an SDT or to seek a land tax exemption, or about the progress of an outstanding assessment of a beneficiary or Trust, go to Step 2
2	Is the person calling as an individual or in a professional capacity? If the person who has made contact is: an individual, go to Step 3 a professional, such as a financial adviser, solicitor, accountant, go to Step 4
3	Contact by an individual Check if the person who made contact has a customer record (CRN). If they do not, go to Step 5. If they do have a CRN and the enquiry is for more in-depth information about eligibility, requesting assessment of the beneficiary or enquiring about the progress of a Special Disability Trust assessment: Tell them a specialist will: return their call from a private number, and complete an authentication process with them to establish their identity Refer to a Complex Assessment Officer (in the SDT team) using Fast Note - select Auto Text, use Complex Assessment > Request for CAO action > CAO Special Disability Trust Include contact details and general notes about the enquiry including potential beneficiary's name, as per Online Document Recording (ODR) Do not close the DOC Procedure ends here
4	Contact in a professional capacity Check if the person has an organisation record (CRN). If they do not, go to Step 5. If they do: Tell them a specialist will: return their call from a private number, and complete an authentication process with them to establish their identity Refer to a Complex Assessment Officer (in the SDT team) using Fast Note - select Auto Text, use Complex Assessment > Request for CAO action > CAO Special Disability Trust Include contact details and general notes about the enquiry including potential beneficiary's name, as per Online Document Recording (ODR) Do not close the DOC Procedure ends here
5	Contact person does not have a customer record If the person who made contact does not have a customer or organisation record (CRN): Check for potential beneficiary details Staff can create a Fast Note on the beneficiary record if they can find the beneficiary CRN Has the beneficiary CRN been found? Yes: Authenticate the person and check they have the relevant permission to enquire. Do not discuss any personal information from the record until this occurs Tell them a specialist will return their call from a private number Refer to a Complex Assessment Officer (in the SDT team) using Fast Note - select Auto Text, use Complex Assessment > Request for CAO action > CAO Special Disability Trust Include contact details and general notes about the enquiry, as per Online Document Recording (ODR) Procedure ends here No: Tell them a specialist will return their call from a private number Send an email to the Complex Assessments Service Delivery Support Team with an overview of the enquiry. Include the person’s full name, and the details of the organisation from which they are calling. This includes the organisation’s name, address and contact number Procedure ends here.