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 $994 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 $104 | $0 |
| $104 to $254 | 50 cents for each dollar over $104 |
| over $254 | $75 plus 60 cents for each dollar over $254 |
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 $104 | $0 |
| $104 to $254 | 50 cents for each dollar over $104 |
| over $254 | $75 plus 60 cents for each dollar over $254 |
If you have a partner who doesn't get a payment from us
| Your income per fortnight | Amount your payment reduces |
|---|---|
| up to $104 | $0 |
| $104 to $254 | 50 cents for each dollar over $104 |
| over $254 | $75 plus 60 cents for each dollar over $254 |
Your payment will reduce by 60 cents for every dollar your partner earns over $993.50 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 $104 | $0 |
| over $104 | 40 cents for each dollar over $104 |
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. | $1,086.50 |
| You're single, 60 or older, on a payment from us for at least 9 months continuously. | $1,175.17 |
| You're single, principal carer of a dependent child. | $1,673.25 |
| You're single, principal carer of a dependent child, no mutual obligation requirements. | $2,124.75 |
| 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. | $1,673.25 |
| You're single, with a dependent child but not the principal carer. | $1,164.84 |
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. |
$993.50 – your income |
|
You have a partner who doesn’t get a pension and your income is less than $104. This is a temporary increase to partner income from 27 April 2020 due to coronavirus (COVID-19). |
$3,068.80 – your partner’s income |
|
You have a partner who gets a pension. |
$1,987 – combined income |
Page last updated: 8 May 2020
This information was printed 30 May 2020 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.