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Diagnosed with a drug addiction or dependence

A good and sufficient reason for failing a drug test obligation includes when a client is diagnosed with a drug addiction or dependence.

Drug addiction or dependence, for the purposes of the drug test requirements, means a person who has been diagnosed with:

  • severe substance abuse or
  • dependency or drug addiction issues

The client can be asked to provide verification from a registered health practitioner or by a registered AOD practitioner who will have completed a formal assessment and given the diagnosis of drug dependency.

The verification should also state the duration or time that the client will need to address their drug issue dependency.

There is a Drug test obligations verification form [no link find out why] that MSD can provide to the client.

For more information see:

Legislation

  • Good and sufficient reason for failure to comply with drug-testing obligation section 250 Social Security Act 2018
  • Good and sufficient reason for specified failures to comply: ground specified regulation 85 Social Security Regulations 2018
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AOD practitioners are alcohol and other drug practitioners who are Registered Practitioners and members of DAPAANZ.

They complete assessments to help determine drug dependency.

Note there are AOD counsellors who are not registered AOD practitioners. AOD counsellors do not complete dependency assessments.

A health practitioner is a person who is registered with an authority as a practitioner of a particular health profession under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. All health practitioners have a unique identifying number called a Health Practitioners Index number (HPI number).

MSD may require information from a registered health practitioner to help determine a person's eligibility for some types of financial assistance.

Note unless specifically mentioned otherwise, most medical ...