What your commitments are

There are things you must do to keep getting your JobSeeker Payment.

We have information in different languages about What your commitments are

Call our Multilingual Phone Service to speak with us in your language about your Centrelink payments and services.

Mutual obligation requirements

Mutual obligation requirements are tasks and activities you agree to do while getting JobSeeker Payment from us.

If you live in an area with lockdown restrictions

Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), we’ve temporarily paused mutual obligation requirements for job seekers and participants that live in the following areas only:

State Location Duration of suspension period
Victoria

Metropolitan Melbourne

Metropolitan Melbourne LGAs

Banyule, Bayside, Boroondara, Brimbank, Cardinia, Casey, Darebin, Frankston, Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Kingston, Knox, Manningham, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Melbourne, Melton, Monash, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Mornington Peninsula, Nillumbik, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Whitehorse, Whittlesea, Wyndham, Yarra Ranges, Yarra

 6 October 2021 to 28 October 2021
Mitchell Shire Local Government Area 6 October 2021 to 28 October 2021
Mildura Rural City Council Local Government Area 9 October 2021 to 26 October 2021

During this period, no payment suspensions or financial penalties will apply if you don’t meet your mutual obligation requirements.

You should continue to check when your requirements are due after the temporary pause of mutual obligation requirements end. If you’re unable to meet your job search requirements after the temporary pause ends, you need to call either:

You can find more information about:

If you live in NSW

All mutual obligation requirements for participants living in NSW are resuming.

For more information about your mutual obligation requirements you can:

  • contact your provider
  • check your dashboard in your jobactive account
  • call us on your regular payment line if you don’t have a provider or you’re not in online employment services.

If you live in ACT

All mutual obligation requirements for participants living in ACT are resuming after an extended period in lockdown.

For more information about your mutual obligation requirements you can:

  • contact your provider
  • check your dashboard in your jobactive account
  • call us on your regular payment line if you don’t have a provider or you’re not in online employment services.

If you live in other parts of Australia

You must meet all of your mutual obligation requirements.

This means doing the tasks and activities in your Job Plan. Suspensions and penalties apply if you don’t.

If you’re in online employment services, you need to do the tasks on your dashboard.

You must attend all appointments with your provider.

Read about mutual obligation requirements.

When penalties apply

There are demerits and financial penalties for not meeting your mutual obligation requirements.

This applies to you if you’re with one of these:

If you’re in the Community Development Program, the penalties are different.

When exemptions apply

You may be exempt from mutual obligation requirements in certain circumstances. This includes if you’re impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19).

Read about what exemptions may apply.

Report employment income

If you get an income support payment from us, you must report any income you and your partner get. You need to report every 2 weeks, even if it’s $0. This is so we pay you the right amount.

Before you get your first payment, you need to report your and your partner’s income.

You can report your income by:

You can check your reporting dates through your Centrelink online account.

When you report your income each fortnight, you’re confirming you’re meeting your mutual obligation requirements.

Read about income reporting and get help using our Centrelink online account guides.

If you want to report your partner’s income online, you’ll need permission to enquire or have a nominee arrangement.

Change of circumstances

You must tell us if things change as it may affect your JobSeeker Payment.

You can tell us using the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app or your Centrelink online account through myGov.

Read about what you need to tell us.

Next: How to claim

Complete the following steps to claim JobSeeker Payment. Before you start, check if you can get it.

Page last updated: 21 October 2021