Have you heard about the BSWAT Payment Scheme
for people with intellectual impairment?

Thousands of people with intellectual impairment are entitled to a one-off payment through the Australian Government’s BSWAT Payment Scheme.

Medical practitioners can help make sure people receive a payment.

Between 2004 and 2014, the Business Services Wage Assessment Tool (BSWAT) was used to assess the wages of many supported employees of Australian Disability Enterprises.

Around 10,000 people with intellectual impairment who had their wages assessed using the BSWAT were not paid a fair and reasonable wage.

To remedy this, the Australian Government has set up the BSWAT Payment Scheme.

The scheme provides a one-off payment of $100 or more to an eligible person with intellectual impairment.

This money will make a big difference to people’s lives.

To receive a payment, a person must apply to the scheme before 30 April 2017.

Who is eligible for a payment?

To be eligible, a person must have (for at least one day between 1 January 2004 and 28 May 2014):

 had one or more of the following intellectual impairments:

  • intellectual disability
  • autism spectrum disorder
  • dementia
  • impaired intellectual function as a consequence of an acquired brain injury AND

 been employed and provided with employment support by an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) AND

 received a wage based on a BSWAT assessment or received a training wage while waiting for a BSWAT assessment.

Two ways that medical practitioners can help

One

Verifying that an applicant has intellectual impairment is part of assessing a person’s eligibility for the scheme.

The Department can verify medical information for most applicants.

Some applicants will need to provide certification from a medical practitioner.

If an applicant needs to provide the Department with more information about their medical condition, the applicant will bring along information about what evidence their medical practitioner needs to provide them.

Two

If you have a patient with intellectual impairment, ask them if they were a supported employee at an ADE between 2004 and 2014.

If they were, they may be eligible for the scheme.

You can encourage them to apply for a payment.

They can apply by phoning the BSWAT Payment Scheme hotline on 1800 799 515. Or, they can apply online at www.dss.gov.au/bswat-payment-scheme.

More information

For more information about the BSWAT Payment Scheme, visit www.dss.gov.au/bswat-payment-scheme.

If you have questions, please phone the BSWAT Payment Scheme hotline on
1800 799 515 or send an email to .