JobSeeker Payment Australia 2026: Current Rate, Income Test and How to Apply
JobSeeker Payment is Australia’s main income support payment for people between 22 and Age Pension age who are looking for work, studying full-time in approved circumstances, or temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury. From 20 March 2026, the rate increased as part of the regular CPI indexation cycle.
This guide covers the current 2026 fortnightly rates for every situation, how the income and assets tests work, what supplements you may also be entitled to, and how to apply through myGov — all sourced from Services Australia.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only. Payment amounts depend on your personal circumstances. Check your entitlements through myGov or contact Services Australia on 132 850 for advice specific to your situation.
Current JobSeeker Payment rates — March 2026
JobSeeker Payment rates from 20 March 2026, including the Energy Supplement:
| Situation | Fortnightly rate | Per year (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | $808.70 | $21,026 |
| Single, with dependent children | $874.40 | $22,734 |
| Single, aged 55–59 (9+ months on payment) | $862.10 | $22,415 |
| Single, aged 60+ (9+ months on payment) | $862.10 | $22,415 |
| Partnered (each) | $738.60 | $19,204 |
| Single, principal carer exempt from activity test | $967.30 | $25,150 |
Note: Different sources report slightly varying figures depending on which supplements are included. The rates above are based on the March 2026 indexation. Always verify your specific rate through myGov or by contacting Services Australia on 132 850.
The next scheduled indexation is 20 September 2026, when rates will be reviewed against the Consumer Price Index.
What changed on 20 March 2026?
The March 2026 indexation brought increases across all Centrelink payment types, aligned with cost of living adjustments and CPI increases. JobSeeker single increased by approximately $12.50 to reach the current rate. Deeming rates also changed to 1.25% (lower) and 3.25% (upper).
JobSeeker Payment is indexed using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) only — unlike pension payments such as the Age Pension which are also benchmarked against wages. This means allowances like JobSeeker tend to fall behind pensions over time as wages grow faster than prices.
What supplements can you get on top of JobSeeker?
The base JobSeeker rate is not the only money you may be entitled to. Several supplements can significantly increase your total payment — and many recipients miss them because they are not automatically added.
Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA)
If you pay rent privately — including board, lodging or site fees — you may be entitled to Commonwealth Rent Assistance on top of your JobSeeker Payment. The maximum Commonwealth Rent Assistance rate is $184.80 per fortnight for singles without children. This is not automatically applied — you must add your rent details through myGov.
According to analysis of Services Australia data, 67% of JobSeeker recipients eligible for rent assistance don’t claim it in their first 3 months — representing thousands of dollars in missed entitlements annually. If you are renting, check your myGov account immediately to confirm whether CRA is included in your payment.
| Situation | Maximum CRA (fortnightly) |
|---|---|
| Single, no children | $184.80 |
| Single, with children | $219.72 |
| Couple, no children | $174.00 |
Energy Supplement
The Energy Supplement is included in the rates table above. Singles receive $8.80 per fortnight as part of their base JobSeeker rate. This is automatically applied.
Pharmaceutical Allowance
A small additional payment to help with prescription medicine costs. Applied automatically and included within the total payment amount.
Maximum total payment example
For a single person without children who pays rent, the maximum total fortnightly payment in 2026 — combining JobSeeker base, rent assistance and energy supplement — is up to $975.40 per fortnight.
The income test: how much can you earn?
You can work while receiving JobSeeker Payment, but earnings reduce your payment according to the income test. Understanding exactly how it works helps you plan whether part-time or casual work affects your payment.
Income-free area
The income-free area is $150 per fortnight. You can earn up to this amount before your payment starts to reduce.
How payments reduce above $150
Between $150 and $256 per fortnight, your payment reduces by 50 cents for every dollar earned. Above $256 per fortnight, it reduces by 60 cents for every dollar.
Example — single person earning $300 per fortnight:
- First $150: no reduction
- Next $106 (from $150 to $256): reduced by 50 cents per dollar = $53 reduction
- Final $44 (above $256): reduced by 60 cents per dollar = $26.40 reduction
- Total reduction: $79.40
- Payment received: $808.70 − $79.40 = $729.30 per fortnight
This means most part-time and casual work still leaves you better off financially than receiving JobSeeker alone — the income test is designed to make working always worthwhile.
Partner income test
Partners can earn up to $994 per fortnight before your payment reduces. Above this threshold, your payment reduces by 60 cents for every dollar your partner earns above the limit.
Working credits
Working credits allow you to accumulate unused income-free amounts during periods when you earn nothing, which you can then draw on in periods when you earn more. Working credits protect your payment rate when you get casual or irregular work — up to a maximum of $11,800 in accumulated credits. These are tracked automatically by Centrelink.
The assets test
The assets test is a hard cutoff — if your assets exceed the limit, you receive $0 in JobSeeker Payment.
| Situation | Assets limit (homeowner) | Assets limit (non-homeowner) |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $314,000 | $566,000 |
| Couple (combined) | $470,000 | $722,000 |
Your primary home — regardless of its value — does not count as an asset. Superannuation below Age Pension age does not count. Financial investments, vehicles above a threshold, and non-primary real estate all count as assets.
Who is eligible for JobSeeker Payment?
To receive JobSeeker Payment in 2026 you must:
- Be aged 22 or over and below Age Pension age (currently 67)
- Be an Australian resident living in Australia
- Meet the income and assets tests described above
- Be unemployed and actively looking for work, or temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury (with a medical certificate), or be a principal carer of a dependent child in certain circumstances
- Meet mutual obligation requirements — including applying for jobs each fortnight and attending appointments with your employment services provider
You are not eligible if you are studying full-time (Youth Allowance or Austudy applies instead), receiving another income support payment such as the Disability Support Pension, or not an Australian resident.
Waiting periods
A Ordinary Waiting Period of one week applies to most new claimants before payments begin. An Income Maintenance Period applies if you received a redundancy, leave payout or similar payment from your employer — your JobSeeker start date is delayed proportionally based on the amount received. A Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period of four years applies to most new migrants.
Mutual obligation requirements
To keep receiving JobSeeker Payment you must meet mutual obligation requirements every fortnight. To keep getting JobSeeker Payment you need to report every 2 weeks and keep meeting your mutual obligation requirements.
These requirements typically include:
- Applying for a minimum number of jobs per fortnight (usually 4–20 depending on your Employment Services Provider assessment and your location)
- Attending appointments with your employment services provider — either Workforce Australia Online or a local provider depending on your circumstances
- Participating in any activities your provider requires — such as job skills training, work experience or volunteering
- Reporting your income to Centrelink at the end of each fortnight, even if you earned nothing
Failure to meet mutual obligation requirements — such as missing an appointment without a valid reason — can result in payment suspension. If your payment is suspended you must contact Services Australia to have it restored.
How to apply
Applications for JobSeeker Payment are made online through myGov linked to your Centrelink account.
Step 1 — Create or log into myGov. Go to my.gov.au. If you do not have a myGov account, create one. Link your Centrelink record to myGov — you will need your Customer Reference Number (CRN) or identity documents to complete this.
Step 2 — Start a new claim. In your myGov account, select Centrelink, then “Make a claim” and choose JobSeeker Payment. The online claim takes approximately 20–40 minutes.
Step 3 — Gather your documents. You will need: proof of identity (passport, birth certificate or driver’s licence), your Tax File Number, bank account details, and details of any income, assets or recent redundancy payout.
Step 4 — Submit your claim. Once submitted, Centrelink will contact you to confirm any additional information needed. You may be asked to attend an initial interview at a Services Australia service centre or via phone.
Step 5 — Report fortnightly. Once approved, report your income and job search activities at the end of each fortnight through the Express Plus Centrelink app or myGov to trigger each payment.
Claim backdating: Your payment can be backdated to the date you submitted your claim — not to the date it is approved. Submit your claim as soon as possible after becoming unemployed, even if you are still waiting on your final pay or a redundancy payout.
JobSeeker vs other Centrelink payments
| Payment | Who it’s for | Age range |
|---|---|---|
| JobSeeker Payment | Unemployed, looking for work | 22 to Age Pension age (67) |
| Youth Allowance | Students 16–24 or job seekers 16–21 | 16–24 |
| Austudy | Full-time students 25 and over | 25+ |
| Disability Support Pension | People with permanent disability | Any age |
| Age Pension | Older Australians in retirement | 67+ |
| Parenting Payment | Principal carers of young children | Any age |
For a full list of current rates across all Centrelink payments, see Australia Centrelink payments 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the JobSeeker payment rate for a single person in 2026?
$762.70 per fortnight for a single person with no children, including the Energy Supplement, from 20 March 2026 — with the total reaching up to $808.70 depending on the exact supplement combination included. Check your rate in myGov as the exact figure depends on your supplements.
How often is JobSeeker Payment paid?
Services Australia pays JobSeeker Payment every 2 weeks. The exact date depends on your reporting period and your Customer Reference Number.
Does rent assistance get added automatically?
No. You must add your rent details through myGov for Commonwealth Rent Assistance to be assessed. If you pay rent and have not added this information, you may be missing up to $184.80 per fortnight.
Can I get JobSeeker if I have a partner who works?
Yes, but your partner’s income is assessed through the partner income test. Partners can earn up to $994 per fortnight before your payment starts to reduce. Above that threshold, your payment reduces by 60 cents for every dollar your partner earns above the limit.
When does my payment date change around public holidays?
If a scheduled payment day falls on a public holiday, Centrelink processes the funds earlier so recipients are not left waiting. Check the Services Australia website or the Express Plus Centrelink app around public holiday periods.
What happens if I don’t report on time?
If you do not report your income by your reporting due date, your payment will not be released until you report. Late reporting does not result in suspension but it does delay your payment.
Is JobSeeker taxable?
You may have to pay income tax on your taxable Centrelink payments. JobSeeker Payment is assessable income and must be declared in your annual tax return. However, at standard JobSeeker rates most recipients are below the tax-free threshold. See tax free threshold Australia 2025–26 for whether you are likely to owe tax.
What is the next indexation date? The next scheduled indexation is 20 September 2026, based on CPI and wage growth.
This article is general information only. Payment rates and eligibility conditions are subject to change. For your exact entitlements, log into myGov or contact Services Australia on 132 850 (JobSeeker) or visit a Services Australia service centre.
Sources: Services Australia — JobSeeker Payment | Services Australia — how much JobSeeker you can get | DSP payment rates January 2026
