JobSeeker Payment

From 20 March 2020, JobSeeker Payment replaces Newstart Allowance as the main income support payment for recipients aged between 22 years to Age Pension qualification age who have capacity to work.

As part of the working age payment reforms which introduced JobSeeker Payment, the following payments will progressively cease.

  • Newstart Allowance (closed on 20 March 2020)
  • Widow B Pension (closed on 20 March 2020)
  • Wife Pension (closed on 20 March 2020)
  • Bereavement Allowance (closed to new entrants on 20 March 2020 and ceases completely when all currently recipients have completed their bereavement period)
  • Sickness Allowance (closed to new entrants on 20 March 2020 and ceases on 20 September 2020)
  • Widow Allowance (closed to new entrants on 1 July 2018 and ceases on 1 January 2022)
  • Partner Allowance (ceases on 1 January 2022)

These changes were announced in the 2017-18 Budget and legislation for the reforms was passed by the Parliament in March 2018, and granted Royal Assent in April 2018.

JobSeeker Payment was designed to simplify the income support system and maintaining incentives for people to support themselves to the greatest extent possible. JobSeeker Payment is available to people who are looking for work, who temporarily cannot work or study because of an injury or illness, or bereaved partners in the period immediately following the death of their partner, subject to meeting eligibility requirements.

The fact sheets below provide additional information about JobSeeker Payment and each of the affected payments.

Further information on eligibility, payment rates and how to make a claim for JobSeeker Payment, please go to Services Australia or call 132 850.

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