Mobility Allowance assists people with disability to pay for transport costs when they are unable to use public transport without substantial assistance.
Eligibility
You may qualify for Mobility Allowance if you are:
- aged 16 or over
- unable to use public transport without substantial assistance either permanently or for an extended period due to a mental or physical disability
- undertaking an approved activity, such as employment, vocational training or job search, and required to travel to and from home as part of your activity.
The standard rate of Mobility Allowance
The standard rate of Mobility Allowance is $83.00 per fortnight*. To be eligible for the standard rate, you must be:
- engaged in any of the following, or a combination of the following, for at least 32 hours every four weeks:
- paid work (either in the open labour market or in sheltered employment)
- self employment
- voluntary work
- vocational training
- independent living/life skills training, or
- in receipt of Newstart Allowance, Austudy, or Youth Allowance and satisfy the activity test connected to these payments, or
- participating in a Disability Employment Services—Disability Management Service, or
- undertaking job search activities under an agreement with an Employment Services Provider such as Job Services Australia or Disability Employment Services.
You do not have to be in receipt of another income support payment to receive the standard rate of Mobility Allowance.
* Payment rates are correct as at 16 September 2011. To obtain the most up-to-date payment rates, please contact Centrelink on 13 27 17.
The higher rate of Mobility Allowance
The higher rate of Mobility Allowance is $116.20 per fortnight*. To qualify for the higher rate of Mobility Allowance, you must be in receipt of Disability Support Pension, Newstart Allowance, Parenting Payment or Youth Allowance and satisfy the conditions below.
Activity tested recipients of Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance or Parenting Payment need to be:
- working 15 hours or more per week in the open labour market for wages at or above the relevant minimum wage, or
- working for 15 hours or more per week in the open labour market for wages set in accordance with the Supported Wage System,or
- looking for such work under an agreement with an Employment Services Provider, or
- undertaking activities in preparation to look for such work under an agreement with an Employment Services Provider.
Non-activity tested recipients of Disability Support Pension or Parenting Payment need to be:
- working 15 hours or more per week in the open labour market for wages at or above the relevant minimum wage, or
- working for 15 hours or more per week in the open labour market for wages set in accordance with the Supported Wage System, or
- looking for such work under an agreement with an Employment Services Provider.
If you move off income support into employment you will be able to continue receiving this higher rate of Mobility Allowance.
* Payment rates are correct as at 16 September 2011. To obtain the most up-to-date payment rates, please contact Centrelink on 13 27 17.
How do I claim Mobility Allowance?
Contact Centrelink either by telephoning 13 27 17 or visiting a Centrelink Customer Service Centre.
If you are currently receiving the standard rate of Mobility Allowance and wish to test your eligibility for the higher rate, Centrelink can also assist you.
For further information on Mobility Allowance, visit the Centrelink website (see our Related Links).