JobSeeker Payment 2026: Current Rates, Income Test and How to Apply
Losing a job is stressful enough without having to navigate a government payments system that seems designed to be confusing. JobSeeker is Australia's main income support for people who are out of work or temporarily unable to work — but a surprising number of people either don't apply when they should, or get less than they're entitled to because they didn't understand the income test properly.
This guide covers the current 2026 rates, exactly who qualifies, how the income test works, and what you need to do to apply.
What Is JobSeeker Payment?
JobSeeker Payment is the primary Centrelink payment for working-age Australians who are unemployed, actively looking for work, or temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury. It's paid fortnightly by Services Australia and is means-tested — meaning the amount you receive depends on your income, assets, and personal circumstances.
It replaced the old Newstart Allowance in 2020 and has been indexed twice yearly (March and September) ever since. The most recent increase took effect on 20 March 2026.
Current Rates — March 2026
| Situation | Fortnightly rate | Per year (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | $808.70 | ~$21,026 |
| Single, with dependent children | $866.00 | ~$22,516 |
| Single, aged 55 or older | $882.50 | ~$22,945 |
| Single, principal carer (mutual obligation exemption) | $1,066.30 | ~$27,724 |
| Partnered (each) | $740.30 | ~$19,248 |
These rates include the Energy Supplement. Depending on your circumstances, you may also be entitled to additional payments on top of the base rate — including Rent Assistance (up to $184.80/fortnight), Pharmaceutical Allowance, and Remote Area Allowance. These are not automatic — you need to provide the relevant details through myGov.
Who Can Get JobSeeker?
To be eligible, you need to meet all of the following:
- Be aged between 22 and Age Pension age (67)
- Be an Australian resident and physically in Australia
- Be unemployed, or temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury (with a medical certificate)
- Meet mutual obligation requirements — actively looking for work, attending appointments with your employment services provider, and completing required job search activities each fortnight
- Pass both the income test and the assets test
The Income Test — How It Actually Works
This is where most people get confused. JobSeeker uses a two-band taper system:
- Income free area: You can earn up to $150 per fortnight with no reduction to your payment
- First taper (50c per dollar): For every dollar you earn above $150 up to $256 per fortnight, your payment reduces by 50 cents
- Second taper (60c per dollar): For every dollar above $256 per fortnight, your payment reduces by 60 cents
Your payment cuts to zero once your income reaches a level where the reductions equal the maximum rate — roughly $1,400–$1,500 per fortnight for a single person depending on your exact circumstances.
💼 JobSeeker Payment Calculator — 2026
Estimate your fortnightly payment based on your income and situation. Rates from 20 March 2026.
Base JobSeeker payment
$808.70
per fortnight
Income reduction
$0.00
from income test
Rent assistance (est.)
$0
if paying private rent
Estimated total payment
$808.70
per fortnight
Estimate only. Based on March 2026 rates. Does not include all supplements or partner income test. For an exact figure, use the Centrelink Payment Finder at servicesaustralia.gov.au.
The Assets Test
The assets test is a hard cut-off — if your assets exceed the threshold, your payment reduces to zero with no partial payment. Unlike the income test, there's no taper.
| Situation | Assets limit (homeowner) | Assets limit (non-homeowner) |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $321,500 | $579,500 |
| Partnered (combined) | $480,000 | $738,000 |
Your primary home is not counted as an asset regardless of its value. Superannuation below Age Pension age is also generally not counted. Financial investments, vehicles above a threshold, investment properties, and other non-primary real estate are all assessed.
Mutual Obligation Requirements
Most JobSeeker recipients are required to actively look for work and meet regular requirements with their employment services provider. What this looks like in practice:
- Applying for a set number of jobs each month (your provider sets the target based on your circumstances)
- Attending regular appointments with your Workforce Australia provider
- Completing any required activities or training
- Reporting your income and any changes to your circumstances every fortnight through myGov
Failing to meet these requirements without a valid reason can result in your payment being suspended or reduced. If you have a medical condition, caring responsibilities, or other circumstances that make it difficult to meet requirements, tell Centrelink — exemptions are available in genuine cases.
How to Apply
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1Set up myGov and link Centrelink Go to my.gov.au, create or log into your myGov account, and link it to Centrelink if you haven't already. You'll need identity documents to verify yourself.
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2Submit a claim as soon as possible Apply on the day you become unemployed or stop work — not after. Centrelink generally can't backdate payments to before your claim date, so delaying costs you money.
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3Complete the online claim Through myGov → Centrelink → "Make a claim" → JobSeeker Payment. Have your bank details, tax file number, employment history, and income and asset information ready.
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4Serve the waiting period (if applicable) Depending on your circumstances, you may need to serve a waiting period before payments begin — including a liquid assets waiting period if you have savings above a threshold, or an income maintenance period if you received a redundancy payout.
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5Report fortnightly Once approved, you must report your income every fortnight through myGov or the Express Plus Centrelink app. Missing a report can suspend your payment.
Common Questions
Related Articles
Sources: Services Australia — JobSeeker Payment, Income and assets tests
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