Business Service Wage Assessment Tool (BSWAT) payments 008-02030000

The Business Service Wage Assessment Tool (BSWAT) payment scheme provided a one-off payment to eligible customers with an intellectual impairment whose wages were assessed and paid using BSWAT. The scheme commenced on 1 July 2015 and ceased in December 2018.

To be eligible for the payment scheme, a person needed to have:

• an intellectual impairment, which includes an intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, dementia, or impaired intellectual function as a consequence of an acquired brain injury
• had their wages assessed using BSWAT, or a training wage while waiting for a BSWAT wage assessment, and
• required daily support within an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) workplace to maintain employment

The payment scheme was voluntary, and participants were required to seek independent financial counselling and legal advice, paid for by the Australian Government to help them make an informed choice.

The BSWAT payment was a taxable payment, reportable to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

If the customer was receiving a payment administered under the Social Security Act 1991 (such as Disability Support Pension), the BSWAT payment was exempt from the income test. However, it may have affected customers due to the Assets test or Income Deeming.

If the customer was receiving payments under other Acts (for example A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999) they may have been impacted because BSWAT payments were treated as income. Further, if they had Child Support requirements, the BSWAT payment may have effected their child support obligations.

The BSWAT Payment Scheme measure was delivered through the Department of Social Services (DSS).