Mutual obligation requirements

You’ll have mutual obligation requirements if you get any of the following payments:

• JobSeeker Payment
• Youth Allowance for job seekers
• Parenting Payment single after your youngest child turns 6
• Special Benefit for Nominated Visa Holders.

What mutual obligation requirements are

Mutual obligation requirements are tasks and activities you agree to do, to help you find a job. Your Job Plan includes these details.

How to meet your requirements

To keep getting your payment, you need to do all of the following:

• agree to a Job Plan
• meet the requirements of your Job Plan
• participate in appointments with your employment services provider, if you have one
• apply for jobs, if your provider requires this.

You must meet your requirements to keep your payment. If you don’t meet your requirements, demerits and financial penalties may apply.

To make sure this doesn’t happen, find out how to meet your requirements.

You can also find out about:

• what activities you can do
• what to do when your personal circumstances change
• what exemptions may apply.

Different mutual obligation requirements for certain circumstances

You’ll have different requirements if you’re:

• a principal carer
• 55 or older
• a job seeker getting Carer Allowance
• assessed as having a partial capacity to work
• in the Remote Australia Employment Service
• a newly arrived refugee.

Under 35 and getting Disability Support Pension

You’ll have participation requirements instead of mutual obligation requirements if all of the following apply:

• you get Disability Support Pension (DSP)
• you're under 35 and meet other rules.

Find out more about meeting participation requirements if you’re under 35 and getting DSP.