Medical Evidence Requirements

What do I need to know about medical evidence to qualify for a DSP?

The people reviewing your application need to be able to check your condition and your evidence shows you meet the required criteria including:

• Your condition is fully diagnosed
• Your condition is fully treated and stabilised
• Your level of impairment can be matched to the relevant DSP Impairment Table
• How your symptoms score 20 points of eligibility
• Your condition prevents you from working
• Supporting evidence from people who have observed your inability to work

Proof that your condition is fully diagnosed

Your letter(s) from your doctor(s) and specialist(s) are critical to your application. Letters should be on official letterhead, be dated and signed, include contact details and include their qualifications. In these letters, the status of your condition must be clearly outlined and classified as fully diagnosed. It is possible to apply with a combination of conditions as long as they are properly supported by medical evidence.

Proof that your medical conditions are fully treated and stabilised

A disability support pension is granted to people who have completed their treatments and their condition is medically considered stabilised. If you are unsure if you meet this criteria, you can book a free chat with a new claim specialist to discuss your status. If you are still undergoing treatment but know that your ability to work won’t return, it may make sense to start gathering evidence as the process can take months.

Your doctor’s/specialist’s opinion on your level of impairment per the DSP tables.

The Australian government has a public set of DSP Impairment Tables that are used to categorise and compare your level of impairment. Based on your expert’s opinions, they should rate you according to the tables that cover your symptoms and their severity.

Table 1 – Functions requiring Physical Exertion and Stamina

Table 2 – Upper Limb Function

Table 3 – Lower Limb Function

Table 4 – Spinal Function

Table 5 – Mental Health Function

Table 6 – Functioning related to Alcohol, Drug and Other Substance Use

Table 7 – Brain Function

Table 8 – Communication Function

Table 9 – Intellectual Function

Table 10 – Digestive and Reproductive Function

Table 11 – Hearing and other Functions of the Ear

Table 12 – Visual Function

Table 13 – Continence Function

Table 14 – Functions of the Skin

Table 15 – Functions of Consciousness

The government uses a 20 point system to calculate eligibility for a DSP

The four severity ratings for symptoms have a point value ranging from mild (5 points), to moderate (10 points), to severe (20 points) and extreme (30 points). If you don’t show 20 points of impairment, your application will be rejected. This total can be across all conditions and symptoms so your evidence must include details and support of all conditions that can help you reach 20 points.

Your inability to work must be documented by medical evidence

Medical evidence of how your condition(s) prevent you from working should be provided by your doctors and specialists. It can be hard to know what documentation is relevant but anything that outlines your inability to work can be included with your application. Working with a team that has experience building successful applications can help ensure that enough evidence is included with your application.

Supporting documentation of your inability to work

If your boss/manager/teacher has seen your condition develop to the point that you can no longer work or study, they can provide a letter in support of your application. Any letter should include their observations of your difficulties and attempts to reduce your hours of work or study.