The Law Handbook 2024

1250 Index prisoners not entitled to benefits 227 recent reforms 314 Rent Assistance 315, 329, 330, 336, 338 review see social security appeals same-sex couples 290–1 Seniors Health Card 335 single parents 282–3, 286, 288 Social Security Guide 325 Special Benefit 321–2 Stillborn Baby Payment 331 targeted compliance framework 325 taxation 337–8 unemployment failure 325 Widow Allowance, end of 314 Work Bonus 317 work refusal failure 325 working life residence 336 Youth Allowance 322–4 social security appeals 339–42 AAT review 291, 339–42 access to information 340 application for review 291, 340 authorised review officer (ARO) 339 compensation from Centrelink 342 continuation of payment pending 341–2 first review hearing 340–1 hearings 340–1 non-reviewable decisions 340 online application 341 powers of AAT 341 requesting 339, 340, 341 review by AAT 291, 339–42 review by ARO 339 second review 341 SSAT, merger with AAT 23 terms of reference 340 time limits 340 Social Security Rights Victoria (SSRV) 91, 343, 387, 389, 794 solicitors see lawyers solicitors’ trust funds 547 sources of law 2–4 South-East Monash Legal Service 92 South West Advocacy Association 794 Southern Disability Advocacy 794 SouthPort Community Legal Service 92 Southside Justice 92 Sex Worker Legal Program 171 spam 744, 1103 Special Benefit 321–2 declared program participants 326 eligibility 321–2 Employment Pathway Plan 322 mutual obligation requirements 324–7 non-payment periods 327 participation failures 325–7 Pensioner Concession Card 335 portability 338 rate 322 Rent Assistance 322, 329 taxation 338 special circumstances (fines) see infringements system specialist disability accommodation (SDA) 464, 534–7 agreements 535 applications 535 bond prohibited 474 breach of duty notice 535 compliance orders 535 eligibility 534 entry by provider 536 extreme functional impairment (EFI) 534 notice of entry 536 notice to vacate 536–7 rent arrears, notice to vacate 537 increases 535–6 repayment plans 537 rental providers’ duties 535 repairs 535 Residential Tenancies Act 464 residents’ duties 535 SDA dwellings 534 SDA residents 534–5 temporary relocation notice 536, 537 grounds for 536 very high support needs (VHSN) 534 Specialist Family Violence Service 300 specific performance 686, 718, 728 speech impaired people National Relay Service 63 Victorian legal aid services 63 speeding see driving offences spent convictions 241–7, 1111–12 adults 245–6 children and young people 243–4 Commonwealth Scheme 1111–12 complaints of breach 1112, 1114 exclusions 1112 convictions automatically spent 247 expiry of crime-free conviction period 247 convictions becoming spent 242 convictions immediately spent 242 definition 242, 1111 discrimination on basis of 247, 248–9, 986 complaint to AHRC 249 irrelevant criminal record 249 police check not showing 241 exemptions 241 serious convictions, application for 247 state and territory schemes 1112 Victorian scheme 242–7, 1112 adults 245–6 children and young people 243–4 sperm donor see assisted reproductive treatment sport discrimination 989 exceptions 992, 1004 spousal maintenance 268–9 bankruptcy, provable debt 374, 376 squatters 467–8 stalking binding over 304 criminal offence 301 cyber-stalking 301, 742 intervention order 73, 301, 742 personal safety intervention order 301 stamp duty 406–7 cars 629, 632 concessions/exemptions 549–50 community organisations 619 first home buyer 549 off-the-plan sales 543, 549 pensioners 549–50 principal place of residence 549 transfer of property 545, 549–50 buyer paying 545, 547, 552 concessions 549–50 foreign corporations 560 foreign trusts 560 lender deducting 547 vendor terms buyers 548 standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt 85 criminal 85, 297 drug possession 133 drug trafficking 135 intervention order breach 297 OHS offences 1078 STAR Victoria 794 state constitutions 4, 5, 6 changing 6 legislative powers 5 State Library of Victoria 12, 79 contact details 12, 87 State Revenue Office (SRO) 406, 548 contact details 407, 562, 627 First Home Owner’s Grant 548 foreign land purchases, duty on 559 land tax certificate from 558 stamp duty paid to 547 website 407, 547, 562 State Trustees 74, 895 administrator, appointment as 854 contact details 74, 895 costs 914 drawing up wills 900, 902 duty officer at VCAT 852 statutory declaration 27 consumer dispute witness 725 victim impact statement 37 Stillborn Baby Payment 331 strata title 542 owners corporation see owners corporation stratum title 542 strikes (workers) 1061 strip search 178 prisoners 224 student legal services 74, 94 Student Start-Up Loan (SSL) 324 subdivision 542 lot entitlement, determining 593 lot owners’ duties and rights 605–6 owners corporation see owners corporation plan 542 procedure 542 two-lot subdivision 597 subpoena divorce proceedings 259 produce documents, to 259 witness 81 SuicideLine Victoria 239 summary case conference 83, 214, 217 adjournment of case for 217 Criminal Procedure Act 2009 214 not guilty plea, where 217 self-representation 83