Income test for JobSeeker Payment
Your income can reduce how much we pay you.
We’re extending some temporary changes to our payments we made because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Read some important information about your income support payments.
How your income changes your payment
We use your and your partner’s fortnightly income to work out your payment.
If you get both JobSeeker Payment and JobKeeper Payment
If you get both payments you need to report your JobKeeper Payment to us as income. This may mean you’re no longer eligible for JobSeeker Payment or another income support payment.
If 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 $300 | $0 |
Over $300 | 60 cents for each dollar over $300 |
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 younger than 16.
Your income per fortnight | Amount your payment reduces |
---|---|
Up to $106 | $0 |
Over $106 | 40 cents for each dollar over $106 |
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 $300 | $0 |
Over $300 | 60 cents for each dollar over $300 |
If you have a partner who doesn't get a payment from us
Your income per fortnight | Amount your payment reduces |
---|---|
Up to $300 | $0 |
Over $300 | 60 cents for each dollar over $300 |
Your payment will reduce by 27 cents for every dollar your partner earns over $1,165 per fortnight. This amount over which your payment reduces may change if they get 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. | $1,257.50 |
Single, 60 or older, on a payment from us for at least 9 months continuously. | $1,346.17 |
Single, principal carer of a dependent child younger than 16. | $1,675.25 |
Single, principal carer of a dependent child younger than 16, no mutual obligation requirements. | $2,134.25 |
Single, with a dependent child younger than 16 but not the principal carer. | $1,335.84 |
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. |
$1,164.50 – your income |
You have a partner who doesn’t get a pension and your income is less than $300. This is a temporary increase to the partner excess income threshold from 27 April 2020 due to coronavirus (COVID-19). |
$3,086.11 – your partner’s income |
You have a partner who gets a pension. |
$2,329 – combined income |
Page last updated: 5 January 2021
This information was printed 13 January 2021 from https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/topics/income-test-jobseeker-payment/29411. It may not include all of the relevant information on this topic. Please consider any relevant site notices at https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/site-notices when using this material.