❓ Question regarding the eligibility criteria for the WA Seniors Card, specifically why it's based on working hours rather than income. The Minister defends the non-means-tested approach and cites HILDA survey data to justify the working hours threshold.
AnsweredQoN 5480Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Why is the eligibility of the Seniors Card based on the amount of hours a person works rather than the amount of income they earn? (2) Is the Minister aware that a lawyer earning $150 an hour but working 24 hours a week can access a seniors card, but a person on the minimum wage working 27 hours a week isn't entitled to the card?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 August 2016
Responded by
Minister for Seniors and Volunteering
Response time
63 days
(1) The WA Seniors Card is not means-tested. Means-testing requires assessment of any resources a person may have available to support themselves and, as such, requires comprehensive documentation on income and assets from various Commonwealth Government databases.
All other State Seniors Card programs are not means tested. New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania require an applicant to work less than 20 hours per week, while Victoria and Queensland require less than 35 hours per week.
The WA Seniors Card criteria for working hours has been derived from the results of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, which collects a range of socio-economic information on individuals. According to the HILDA survey, the majority of seniors worked less than 25 hours per week.
(2) The WA Seniors Card is not means-tested and is available to anyone who meets the age, residency and working hours criteria.
All other State Seniors Card programs are not means tested. New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania require an applicant to work less than 20 hours per week, while Victoria and Queensland require less than 35 hours per week.
The WA Seniors Card criteria for working hours has been derived from the results of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, which collects a range of socio-economic information on individuals. According to the HILDA survey, the majority of seniors worked less than 25 hours per week.
(2) The WA Seniors Card is not means-tested and is available to anyone who meets the age, residency and working hours criteria.
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