JobSeeker Rates 2026: How Much Can You Get?

Updated April 2026 · General information only

TL;DR

JobSeeker Payment is the Australian Government's main income support payment for people aged 22 to Age Pension age (67) who are looking for work or unable to work due to a temporary medical condition. The payment is both income-tested and assets-tested, meaning how much you receive depends on your financial circumstances. As of March 2026, the approximate total rate for a single person with no children is $808.70 per fortnight — but your actual payment may differ based on your situation.

What Is JobSeeker Payment?

JobSeeker Payment is a fortnightly income support payment administered by
on behalf of the Australian Government. It's designed for people who are actively looking for work, preparing for work, or temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury.

JobSeeker Payment replaced the former Newstart Allowance on 20 March 2020 as part of a broader overhaul of the social security system. While the core eligibility criteria remained largely similar, the transition brought changes to payment structures and mutual obligation requirements. If you previously received Newstart, you were automatically moved to JobSeeker Payment.

Unlike the
, which is available to people aged 67 and over, JobSeeker Payment is specifically for working-age Australians. Recipients are generally expected to meet mutual obligation requirements — such as actively searching for jobs, attending appointments with employment services providers, and participating in approved activities — in exchange for receiving the payment.

Eligibility

To be eligible for JobSeeker Payment, you need to meet all of the following criteria:

Who Can't Get JobSeeker Payment?

• People under 22 — you may be eligible for
instead

• People aged 67 or older — you may be eligible for the

• Full-time students —
or Youth Allowance (student) may apply instead

• People with a permanent disability affecting their ability to work —
may be more appropriate

How Much Can You Get?

JobSeeker Payment rates are indexed twice a year, on 20 March and 20 September, in line with changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Base Fortnightly Rates (as of 20 March 2026)

This works out to approximately:

• Single, no children: $21,026 per year

• Single, with children: $22,516 per year

• Partnered (each): $19,214 per year

Important Notes on Rates

• The Energy Supplement is generally available to recipients who were on an eligible payment before 20 September 2016, or who meet certain conditions after that date.

• If you're assessed as a principal carer parent, you may receive the higher rate regardless of the age of your children.

• Rates for single people aged 55 and over who have been on payment for 9 or more continuous months are the same as the single-with-children rate.

• You may also receive additional amounts such as
, Pharmaceutical Allowance, or Remote Area Allowance depending on your circumstances.

Income Test

The income test determines whether and how much your JobSeeker Payment is reduced based on what you earn. This includes employment income, self-employment income, and other sources of ordinary income.

Income Test Thresholds (as of 20 March 2026)

How It Works — Example

Suppose you're a single person with no children earning $300 per fortnight from part-time work:

1. First $150: No reduction (income free area)

2. From $150 to $256: $106 x 50 cents = $53.00 reduction

3. From $256 to $300: $44 x 60 cents = $26.40 reduction

4. Total reduction: $79.40 per fortnight

5. Payment received: $794.60 - $79.40 = approximately $715.20 per fortnight (plus any Energy Supplement)

Partner Income Test

If you have a partner, their income also affects your payment. Your partner's income above a certain threshold reduces your payment. The partner income free area is $1,192 per fortnight, and your payment reduces by 60 cents for every dollar your partner earns above that amount.

Assets Test

The assets test sets upper limits on the value of assets you can hold while still receiving JobSeeker Payment. Your principal home is generally not counted.

Assets Test Thresholds (as of 20 March 2026)

If your assets exceed these thresholds, you are not eligible for JobSeeker Payment. Unlike the Age Pension (which has a gradual taper), the JobSeeker assets test operates as a hard cut-off — you either pass it or you don't.

What Counts as an Asset?

Note: If you're under Age Pension age, your superannuation is generally not counted as an asset. This is a significant distinction compared to the Age Pension assets test.

How to Apply

1. Check your eligibility. Use the
to get a preliminary indication of whether you may be eligible.

2. Set up a myGov account. If you don't already have one, create an account at
and link it to Centrelink.

3. Submit an intent to claim. Contact Services Australia (phone 132 850) or log into your myGov account to register your intent to claim. This is important because your payment start date is generally based on when you first contact them, not when you submit the full claim.

4. Gather your documents. You'll need:

• Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, driver's licence)

• Tax file number (TFN)

• Bank account details

• Details of your income and assets

• Employment separation certificate (if applicable)

• Medical certificate (if claiming due to illness or injury)

5. Lodge your claim online. Complete the full claim through your myGov account linked to Centrelink.

6. Attend your appointment. Services Australia will likely schedule an appointment (in person or by phone) to finalise your claim and set up your Job Plan.

7. Meet your mutual obligations. Once approved, you'll need to actively search for work, attend appointments, and report your income every fortnight to continue receiving the payment.

Tips for JobSeeker Recipients

1. Report Your Income Every Fortnight — On Time

You must report your income to Services Australia every two weeks, even if you earned nothing. Late or missed reports can result in your payment being suspended. Use the Centrelink app or your myGov account to report quickly. It typically takes only a few minutes.

2. Understand Working Credits

If you're working part-time or casually, the Working Credits scheme allows you to accumulate credits during fortnights when you earn little or no income. You build up 1 credit for every dollar below $48 per fortnight (up to a maximum of 1,000 credits). When you earn more, these credits are used to reduce the amount of income counted under the income test. This means more money in your pocket during higher-earning periods.

3. Check If You're Eligible for Rent Assistance

If you're renting privately, you may be eligible for
on top of your JobSeeker Payment. This is a non-taxable supplement that can add a meaningful amount to your fortnightly payment. You don't need to apply separately — it's assessed automatically when you provide your rent details to Services Australia.

Related Benefits You May Be Eligible For

Receiving JobSeeker Payment (or meeting certain income criteria) may give you access to additional government benefits and concessions:

•
— Additional fortnightly payments to help with rental costs, assessed based on how much rent you pay.

• Health Care Card — Automatically issued to JobSeeker Payment recipients, providing cheaper prescription medicines under the
, bulk-billed doctor visits (where available), and various state and territory concessions.

•
— Many states and territories offer energy bill concessions or rebates for Health Care Card holders. These can help reduce your electricity and gas costs.

• Telephone Allowance — A quarterly payment to help with phone and internet costs if you meet certain conditions.

• Education Entry Payment — A one-off annual payment of $208 if you start an approved course of education or training. Available once per calendar year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work part-time and still receive JobSeeker Payment?

Yes. JobSeeker Payment is designed to support people who are looking for work, including those who are working part-time but want more hours. If you earn below the income test cut-off, you can receive a partial payment. The income free area allows you to earn up to $150 per fortnight without any reduction to your payment. Above that, the payment reduces gradually (see the Income Test section above).

What are mutual obligation requirements?

Mutual obligations are activities you're required to do in exchange for receiving JobSeeker Payment. These typically include searching for a set number of jobs per month, attending appointments with your employment services provider, and participating in approved activities (such as training, study, or voluntary work). The specific requirements depend on your circumstances and are set out in your Job Plan. If you have a temporary medical condition, your obligations may be reduced.

What happens if I get a casual or short-term job?

Report the income in the fortnight you earn it. Your payment will be adjusted based on the income test. If you stop working, your payment returns to the full rate (assuming you still meet other eligibility criteria). If you start full-time ongoing work, your payment will cancel — but you can reclaim if you lose the job within a certain period without needing to go through the full application process again.

Can I receive JobSeeker Payment if my partner works full-time?

Possibly. Your partner's income is assessed under the partner income test. If your partner earns above $1,192 per fortnight, your payment reduces by 60 cents for each dollar above that threshold. If your partner's income is high enough, your payment may reduce to zero. However, it's worth checking — many people assume they're not eligible when they may still qualify for a partial payment.

Explore More Government Benefits

JobSeeker Payment is just one of many income support payments and concessions available to Australians. You may also be eligible for rent assistance, energy rebates, health care concessions, and more.

This is general information only, not personal financial advice. Rates are current as of April 2026, subject to change. Always verify your eligibility and payment rates with
(phone: 132 850). General information only, not personal financial advice.