Income test for JobSeeker Payment

Your income can reduce how much we pay you.

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 from 27 April 2020

Your payment will reduce by 25 cents for every dollar your partner earns over $996 per fortnight. This amount may change if they get Pharmaceutical Allowance or Rent Assistance.

If you get both JobSeeker Payment and JobKeeper Payment you need to report your JobKeeper Payment to us as income. This may mean you’re no longer eligible for JobSeeker Payment or another Centrelink income support payment.

If you don’t report it to us you may end up with an overpayment and you could get a debt.

If you’re single and not a principal carer

Your income per fortnight Amount your payment reduces
up to $106 $0
$106 to $256 50 cents for each dollar over $106
over $256 $75 plus 60 cents for each dollar over $256

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 $106 $0
$106 to $256 50 cents for each dollar over $106
over $256 $75 plus 60 cents for each dollar over $256

If you have a partner who doesn't get a payment from us

Your income per fortnight Amount your payment reduces
up to $106 $0
$106 to $256 50 cents for each dollar over $106
over $256 $75 plus 60 cents for each dollar over $256

Your payment will reduce by 25 cents for every dollar your partner earns over $996 per fortnight. This amount may change if they get Pharmaceutical Allowance or Rent Assistance.

If you’re single and a principal carer

These are the income rules if you’re single and a principal carer of at least 1 dependent child.

Your income per fortnight Amount your payment reduces
up to $106 $0
over $106 40 cents for each dollar over $106

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
You're single, no children. $1,088.50
You're single, 60 or older, on a payment from us for at least 9 months continuously. $1,177.17
You're single, principal carer of a dependent child. $1,675.25
You're single, principal carer of a dependent child, no mutual obligation requirements. $2,126.75
You're single, 60 or older, and principal carer of a dependent child. You must have been on a payment from us for at least 9 months continuously. $1,675.25
You're single, with a dependent child but not the principal carer. $1,166.84

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.

$995.50 – your income

You have a partner who doesn’t get a pension and your income is less than $106.

This is a temporary increase to the partner excess income threshold from 27 April 2020 due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

$3,070.80 – your partner’s income

You have a partner who gets a pension.

$1,991 – combined income

Page last updated: 21 July 2020