From 20 September 2026 JobSeeker Payment pays up to $824.90 a fortnight for a single person with no children and $755.10 for each member of a couple. Income over $150 a fortnight reduces the payment.
Key facts
- Single, no children: up to $824.90 a fortnight from 20 September 2026.
- Single with a dependent child, or 55 or older after 9 continuous months on income support: up to $883.30.
- Partnered: up to $755.10 a fortnight each.
- Income free area: $150 a fortnight. Then 50 cents per dollar up to $256 and 60 cents per dollar above $256 (singles without children).
- Payment stops at $1,557.17 a fortnight of income for a single person with no children.
- Rates change every 20 March and 20 September; the next change is 20 March 2027.
JobSeeker Payment rates
Maximum JobSeeker Payment a fortnight from 20 September 2026
| Your situation | Maximum a fortnight |
|---|---|
| Single, no children | $824.90 |
| Single, with a dependent child or children | $883.30 |
| Single, 55 or older, after 9 continuous months on an income support payment | $883.30 |
| Single, partial capacity to work of less than 15 hours a week | $883.30 |
| Partnered (each) | $755.10 |
| Single principal carer exempt from mutual obligations (foster carer, relative carer under a court order, home schooling, distance education or large family) | $1,068.20 |
Before tax. You may also get Energy Supplement, Rent Assistance and other extras on top.
Income test
Your income is assessed each fortnight. Working credits build up when you earn less than $48 a fortnight and can be used in fortnights when you earn more.
Single, not a principal carer
| Income a fortnight | Your payment reduces by |
|---|---|
| Up to $150 | $0 |
| Over $150 to $256 | 50 cents for each dollar between $150 and $256 |
| Over $256 | 60 cents for each dollar over $256 |
Single principal carer of a child under 16
| Income a fortnight | Your payment reduces by |
|---|---|
| Up to $150 | $0 |
| Over $150 | 40 cents for each dollar over $150 |
Partner's income (partner not on a pension)
| Your partner is | Your payment reduces by |
|---|---|
| Between 22 and Age Pension age | 60 cents for each dollar over $1,440.00 |
| Under 22, no children | 60 cents for each dollar over $1,307.00 |
| Under 22, with children | 60 cents for each dollar over $1,402.00 |
Your own income is assessed separately from a partner who isn't on a pension. If your partner gets a pension, your combined income is halved and your half goes through the JobSeeker test.
Income cut-offs
If your income in a fortnight is above the cut-off, nothing is paid for that fortnight (working credits are used first). Cut-offs are higher with Rent Assistance or Pharmaceutical Allowance.
Maximum income before JobSeeker reduces to $0
| Your situation | Income cut-off a fortnight |
|---|---|
| Single, no children | $1,557.17 |
| Single, 55 or older, on a payment for at least 9 months | $1,667.34 |
| Single, partial capacity to work under 15 hours | $1,667.34 |
| Single principal carer of a child under 16 | $2,399.50 |
| Single principal carer, no mutual obligation requirements | $2,868.00 |
| Single with a child under 16, not the principal carer | $1,655.67 |
| Partner doesn't get a pension | $1,439.34 minus your income |
| Partner doesn't get a pension, your income under $150 | $2,711.67 minus your partner's income |
| Partner gets a pension | $2,878.68 minus combined income |
Assets test
JobSeeker stops when assets are more than
| Family situation | Homeowner | Non-homeowner |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $333,000 | $600,000 |
| Couple, combined | $499,000 | $766,000 |
| One partner eligible, combined | $499,000 | $766,000 |
Your home isn't counted.
Common questions
How much is JobSeeker a fortnight?
From 20 September 2026, up to $824.90 a fortnight for a single person with no children, $883.30 for a single parent or someone 55 or older after 9 months on income support, and $755.10 for each member of a couple.
How much can I earn on JobSeeker?
Up to $150 a fortnight without your payment reducing. A single person with no children stops getting JobSeeker once income reaches $1,557.17 a fortnight.
When does JobSeeker go up?
Every 20 March and 20 September. The next increase is on 20 March 2027.
What assets can I have on JobSeeker?
Up to $333,000 for a single homeowner or $600,000 for a single non-homeowner. Your home isn't counted.
Other payments: Youth Allowance & Austudy · Parenting Payment · DSP · Carer Payment · Family Tax Benefit · Parental Leave Pay · Concession cards · Age Pension · Rent Assistance. Back to all Centrelink payment rates.
Source: Services Australia, How much JobSeeker Payment you can get, Income test for JobSeeker Payment, Income and assets tests for JobSeeker Payment (pages last updated 20 September 2026). Checked 21 October 2026. General information only; Services Australia works out your actual payment.