Income test for JobSeeker Payment

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