Jobseeker Payment has Not Increased or Reduced

Update and Reminder.

The rate of JobSeeker payments was not increased or reduced,  it is still (in December 2020) at the same rate as it was in March 2020.

  • $565.70 Single no children, or
  • $510.80 Partnered (Each).

The extra money that some people have been receiving is the Coronavirus Supplement.

This is paid, not 0nly to those on JobSeeker but also, to many other welfare benefit recipients.

That supplement began at $550 per fortnight, but was reduced to $250 per fortnight from September.  It will be further reduced in January 2021 to $150 per fortnight, and is intended to end in March 2020.  Coronavirus Supplement from January

When some media reports say that the Jobseeker benefit is being reduced, they should be saying “the Coronavirus Supplement is being reduced”.


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However,  they prefer to identify just ONE benefit affected by this.

If the media do not wish to specify the “Coronavirus Supplement”, they should identify all the benefits being reduced, not just one, and in doing so, ignore the other people also affected.

IE: In January the Partner Allowance, Widow Allowance, Sickness Allowance, Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Parenting Payment, Farm Household Allowance, Special Benefit and JobSeeker Payment will all be reduced. 

Note: None of the above rates are actually being changed, it is only the Coronavirus Supplement, that is being reduced. 

It is easier to say: “the Coronavirus Supplement is being changed to...”

 

.. Original:

A lot is being said about the Jobseeker payment, (formerly Newstart), being reduced in September 2020. However, it is not actually changing.

The amount of Jobseeker payment is intended to remain the same after this emergency period.

This is a recent headline..

Jobseeker payment to drop sparking fears.

But, the Jobseeker amount was never increased from the often stated $40 per day.

It is the Coronavirus supplement of $550 per fortnight that is scheduled to end in late September 2020.

The Coronavirus supplement is payable with the following payments, not only Jobseeeker.

  • Partner Allowance
  • Widow Allowance
  • Sickness Allowance
  • Youth Allowance
  • Austudy
  • ABSTUDY Living Allowance
  • Parenting Payment
  • Farm Household Allowance
  • Special Benefit
  • JobSeeker Payment

The Coronavirus supplement is an extra payment, in addition to the above payments,  as part of the government’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Coronavirus supplement – Who can get it

Jobseeker Payments

From late April 2020, your maximum payment rate each fortnight includes your JobSeeker Payment and the $550 Coronavirus Supplement. Your payment will change back to just your normal JobSeeker Payment when the supplement stops.

March 2020 Jobseeker Rates.

$565.70 Single, no children.
$612.00 Single, with a dependent child or children.
$612.00 Single, aged 60 or over, after 9 continuous months on payment.
$510.80 Partnered (Each).

March 2019 Newstart Rates.

$555.70 Single, no children.
$601.10 Single, with a dependent child or children.
$601.10 Single, aged 60 or over, after 9 continuous months on payment.
$501.70 Partnered (Each).

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