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Table 1 is used to assess functional impairment when performing activities requiring physical exertion or stamina.
The diagnosis of the medical condition causing the impairment must be made by an appropriately qualified medical practitioner. This includes a general practitioner or medical specialists such as a cardiologist, oncologist, or other specialist physician.
Act reference: Social Security (Tables for the Assessment of Work-related Impairment for Disability Support Pension) Determination 2011 Table 1 - Functions requiring Physical Exertion & Stamina
When determining which impairment rating applies to a person the rating that best describes the person's abilities or difficulties must be applied. To determine how the descriptor is to be applied, careful consideration must be given to each point within the descriptor.
For example, to be eligible for 20 points under Table 1 a person must experience symptoms, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, cardiac pain or chronic pain, when performing light physical activity and be unable to do at least one of the activities listed under point (1)(a). The person must also satisfy point (b).
Determination of the descriptor that best fits the person's impairment level must be based on the available medical evidence including the person's medical history, investigation results and clinical findings. A person's self-reported symptoms must not solely be relied on. It would be inappropriate to apply an impairment rating based solely on a person's self-reported functional history if this level of functional impairment is not consistent with the medical evidence available.
In determining the level of functional impact, care should be taken to distinguish between activities that the person does not do as opposed to activities that they have difficulty performing because of their impairment.
The 0 point descriptor specifies the person is able to undertake exercise appropriate to their age. To meet this descriptor, it would not be expected that an older aged person is able to undertake the same level of intensity in exercise as someone aged in their 20's due to reduced stamina or loss of flexibility. Consideration should be given to the level of exercise a generally healthy person of the equivalent age would reasonably be expected to undertake.
Where descriptors refer to the activity of mobilising in a wheelchair, this includes either an electric or a manual wheelchair, depending on what the person has and usually uses.
Although the descriptors do not always specifically indicate the length of time that each activity is performed when determining if symptoms occur, it is taken that they are performed for more than a few minutes but not for excessively prolonged periods. An activity listed under a descriptor is not taken to have been performed if it can only be done once or rarely.
If a person requires oxygen treatment such as the use of an oxygen concentrator during the day or to move around, consideration should be given as to whether this person meets the 30 point descriptor.
Act reference: Social Security (Tables for the Assessment of Work-related Impairment for Disability Support Pension) Determination 2011 Table 1 - Functions requiring Physical Exertion & Stamina
These include but are not limited to:
When assessing chronic pain under Table 1, please refer to 3.6.3.05 (B) Assessing functional impact of pain.
Example 1: A 45 year old man is diagnosed as morbidly obese. The medical evidence states that this impacts on his ability to perform activities which require physical exertion and stamina. He finds it difficult to walk up stairs or complete lawn mowing without taking a break to rest due to shortness of breath. He is able to perform most work-related tasks, except work which would require heavy manual labour.
Under Table 1, the man's impairment would be rated as 5 points, as the impact on his ability to perform tasks is only mildly affected.
Example 2: A 49 year old woman has been diagnosed with chronic obstructive airways disease. Lung function tests indicate that the condition is causing low airflow to and from the lungs and impacts on the woman's ability to undertake physical activities. The woman experiences shortness of breath when undertaking day to day activities such as sweeping or walking very far outside her home. For example, she is not able to walk to her local shop and return home with a bag of shopping. She can perform light household tasks, such as cooking and doing dishes, and can read, pay bills and use a computer without experiencing shortness of breath.
Under Table 1, the woman would receive an impairment rating of 10 points for the moderate impact the condition has on her ability to function.
Act reference: Social Security (Tables for the Assessment of Work-related Impairment for Disability Support Pension) Determination 2011 Table 1 - Functions requiring Physical Exertion & Stamina,
Restriction of physical activity due to musculoskeletal (e.g. severe arthritis, spinal problems) or neurological (e.g. paresis, paralysis or neuropathic chronic pain) conditions should be rated under the relevant Tables (e.g. Table 2, 3, 4 or 7) depending on the functional loss.
Non-pathological causes such as lack of fitness that is not associated with a diagnosed medical condition.
Act reference: Social Security (Tables for the Assessment of Work-related Impairment for Disability Support Pension) Determination 2011
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Last reviewed: 9 February 2012
