Initial stand-down

This is a period of up to a maximum of 2 weeks where the client cannot get any benefit payment. The length of the stand-down depends on:

• the client's average weekly income (before tax) in the 26 or 52 weeks immediately before the client's entitlement date and
• the number of dependent children in their care at any time during the same period

The initial stand-down starts on the client's entitlement date.

Note clients can choose an income assessment period of either 26 or 52 weeks to calculate their average weekly wage for the initial stand-down.