How your income changes your payment
We use your and your partner’s fortnightly income to work out your payment.
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.
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.
| Your income per fortnight | Amount your payment reduces |
|---|---|
| Up to $150 | $0 |
| Over $150 | 50 cents for each dollar between $150 and $256 then 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.
| Your income per fortnight | Amount your payment reduces |
|---|---|
| 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
| Half of your combined income per fortnight | Amount your payment reduces |
|---|---|
| Up to $150 | $0 |
| Over $150 | 50 cents for each dollar between $150 and $256 then 60 cents for each dollar over $256 |
If you have a partner who doesn’t get a pension payment from us
How your income reduces your payment
| Your income per fortnight | Amount your payment reduces |
|---|---|
| Up to $150 | $0 |
| Over $150 | 50 cents for each dollar between $150 and $256 then 60 cents for each dollar over $256 |
How your partner’s income reduces your payment
Your payment will generally reduce by 60 cents for each dollar of income your partner has over the income cut off.
| Your partners situation | Income cut off per fortnight |
|---|---|
| Your partner is between 22 and Age Pension Age | $1,373.00 |
| Your partner is under 22, no children | $1,284.00 |
| Your partner is under 22, with children | $1,377.00 |
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.
What the cut-off points are
If your income in a fortnight goes over specific cut-off points, we won’t pay you for that fortnight.
Your cut-off point may be higher if you get the Pharmaceutical Allowance or Rent Assistance.
Cut-off points per fortnight if you’re single
| Your situation | The income cut off point |
|---|---|
| Single, no children. | $1,484.17 |
| Single, 55 or older, on a payment from us for at least 9 months continuously. | $1,589.00 |
| Single, assessed as having a partial capacity to work of less than 15 hours a week. | $1,589.00 |
| Single, principal carer of a dependent child younger than 16. | $2,282.00 |
| Single, principal carer of a dependent child younger than 16, no mutual obligation requirements. | $2,725.75 |
| Single, with a dependent child younger than 16, but not the principal carer. | $1,577.67 |
Cut off points per fortnight if you’re partnered
| Your situation | The income cut off point |
|---|---|
| You have a partner who doesn’t get a pension. | $1,372.67 - your income |
| You have a partner who doesn’t get a pension and your income is less than $150. | $2,578.00 - your partner’s income |
| You have a partner who gets a pension. | $2,745.67 - combined income |