JobSeeker payment rates from 20 March 2022.
JobSeeker is the Australian Unemployment benefit payment and is paid every two weeks, to eligible applicants.
Fortnightly Payment rate.
$642.70 Single, 22 or over, no children (increase from $629.50).
$691.00 Single, 22 or over, with children (increase from $676.80).
$691.00 Single, 60 or over, after nine months (increase from $676.80).
$585.30 Partnered each. (increase from $573.30).
JobSeeker Income test
You can earn up to $150 per fortnight before tax, before your payment is affected.
Any earnings between $150 and $256 will reduce your payment by 50 cents per dollar and any earnings over $256 will reduce your payment by 60 cents per dollar.
Example:
- If you earn $150 you will keep $150.
- If you earn $200, you will lose $25, meaning you effectively only keep $175.
- If you earn $300, you will lose $53 from the $106 between $150 and $256, plus $26.40 from the $44 between $256 and $300, meaning you effectively only keep $220.60, before tax.
The following were the figures during the Covid-19 rule changes.
You can earn up to $300 per fortnight before tax, before your payment is affected.
Any earnings above $300 per fortnight, will reduce your payment by 60 cents for each dollar over this amount.
Example:
If you earn $300 you will keep $300.
If you earn $400, you will lose $60, meaning you effectively only keep $340.
If you earn $500, you will lose $120, meaning you effectively only keep $380.
servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-much-jobseeker-payment-you-can-get