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How your income changes your payment
We use your and your partner’s fortnightly income to work out your payment.
We’ll start to reduce your payment once your income is over $150 per fortnight.
If you get JobSeeker Payment, and you don’t report it to us you may end up with an overpayment. You could get a debt that you will need to pay us back.
Working credits
Your working credits help you keep more of your payment. You can build credits when your income is less than $48 per fortnight. We can use your credits in the fortnights when your income is higher, so you may still get some of your payment.
If you’re single and not a principal carer
These are the income rules if you’re single and not a principal carer of a dependent child younger than 16.
Use this table to see how your income affects your payment.
| Your income per fortnight | Amount your payment reduces by |
|---|---|
| Up to $150 | $0 |
| Over $150 to $256 | 50 cents for each dollar between $150 and $256 |
| Over $256 | 60 cents for each dollar over $256 |
If you’re single and a principal carer
These are the income rules if you’re single and a principal carer of at least one dependent child younger than 16.
Use this table to see how your income affects your payment.
| Your income per fortnight | Amount your payment reduces by |
|---|---|
| Up to $150 | $0 |
| Over $150 | 40 cents for each dollar over $150 |
If you have a partner who gets a pension payment from us
We add your income and your partner’s income. Your combined income is halved, and we assess:
- your half of the income under the income test for JobSeeker Payment
- your partner’s half of the income under the income test for pension payments.
Use this table to see how your share of the combined income affects your payment.
| Half of your combined income per fortnight | Amount your payment reduces by |
|---|---|
| Up to $150 | $0 |
| Over $150 to $256 | 50 cents for each dollar between $150 and $256 |
| Over $256 | 60 cents for each dollar over $256 |
If you have a partner who doesn’t get a pension payment from us
We assess your income and your partner’s income separately.
How your income reduces your payment
Use this table to see how your income affects your payment.
| Your income per fortnight | Amount your payment reduces by |
|---|---|
| Up to $150 | $0 |
| Over $150 | 50 cents for each dollar between $150 and $256 then |
| Over $256 | 60 cents for each dollar over $256 |
How your partner’s income reduces your payment
We reduce your payment by 60 cents for each dollar of income your partner has over this amount.
Use this table to find the income limit that applies to your partner.
| Your partners situation | Amount your payment reduces by |
|---|---|
| Your partner is between 22 and Age Pension Age | 60 cents for each dollar over $1,415.00 |
| Your partner is under 22, no children | 60 cents for each dollar over $1,307.00 |
| Your partner is under 22, with children | 60 cents for each dollar over $1,402.00 |
The point at which your payment reduces may also be different if your partner is on a payment from us and getting Pharmaceutical Allowance or Rent Assistance.
Maximum income before your payment reduces to $0
If you earn more than the maximum income in a fortnight, we won’t pay you for that fortnight.
If you have working credits, we use these first. This may help you keep some payment.
Your maximum income may be higher if you get the Pharmaceutical Allowance or Rent Assistance.
Maximum income per fortnight if you’re single
Use this table to find the maximum income for your situation.
| Your situation | Maximum income before your payment reduces to $0 |
|---|---|
| Single, no children. | $1,530.17 |
| Single, 55 or older, on a payment from us for at least 9 months continuously. | $1,638.50 |
| Single, assessed as having a partial capacity to work of less than 15 hours a week. | $1,638.50 |
| Single, principal carer of a dependent child younger than 16. | $2,356.25 |
| Single, principal carer of a dependent child younger than 16, no mutual obligation requirements. | $2,815.75 |
| Single, with a dependent child younger than 16, but not the principal carer. | $1,626.84 |
Maximum income per fortnight if you’re partnered
Use this table to find the maximum income based on your partner’s situation.
| Your situation | Maximum income before your payment reduces to $0 |
|---|---|
| You have a partner who doesn’t get a pension. | $1,414.67 - your income |
| You have a partner who doesn’t get a pension and your income is less than $150. | $2,662.00 - your partner’s income |
| You have a partner who gets a pension. | $2,829.34 - combined income |
You can use the Centrelink payment finder to check if you meet the income test and can get JobSeeker Payment.