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Below is Chapter 5 of our ‘Special Disability Trusts’ booklet. To read the other chapters of our booklet, click the links below:
- Chapter 1 – What is an SDT?
- Chapter 2 – What are the requirements of an SDT?
- Chapter 3 – What can an SDT pay for?
- Chapter 4 – What are the eligibility criteria of an intended beneficiary?
- Chapter 6 – What are the advantages of an SDT?
- Chapter 7 – What is the effect of the gifting concession?
- Chapter 8 – What is the effect of the assets test assessment exemption?
- Chapter 9 – Are there beneficial taxation consequences?
- Chapter 10 – What are the administrative requirements of an SDT?
- Chapter 11 – Are there investment restrictions on an SDT?
- Chapter 12 – What are the ongoing obligations of an SDT?
- Chapter 13 – Summary
Please note that the information in this booklet is current as at the 2026/2027 financial year.
In short, if the beneficiary is not already receiving disability-related Services Australia payments, medical evidence will be required.
The Services Australia Special Disability Trust Assessment team
will assess the beneficiary against the legislated criteria for medical impairment, care needs and work capacity. If Services Australia does not already have the relevant information (because the intended beneficiary is not receiving benefits from Services Australia), evidence needs to be supplied by their medical practitioner. Alternatively, Services Australia will arrange for a work capacity assessment to be carried out by Services Australia.
Services Australia encourages people who are interested in setting up an SDT to contact the Special Disability Trust Assessment team for advice on what information must be provided so that the beneficiary assessment can be conducted.
The information contained in this post is current at the date of editing – 28 July 2026.