Annual income for sole parent and grandparented clients before 30 June 2026

Sole parent and grandparented Jobseeker Support clients whose benefit commenced (or last commenced) before 1 July 2025 can have their income charged annually until they reach their next 52 week expiry date.

Clients who have their income charged annually can get up to $8,320 gross per year before their income will affect their benefit.

Clients whose annual income is over $8,320 gross per year will have their benefit reduced by:

• 30 cents for every $1.00 of income that is between $8,320 and $13,000 gross per year
• 70 cents for every $1.00 of income that is more than $13,000 gross per year.

Note from 30 June 2026 all sole parent and grandparented Jobseeker Support clients will have moved to weekly income charging and will have had their final Review of Annual Income.

Generally, any income a client receives should be charged against the benefit for the period in which the income was earned or represents.

However, for sole parent and grandparented clients with annual income charging, MSD will estimate the prospective income the client is likely to receive over the next 52 weeks and update income from the first available date.

If the client indicates their income is likely to vary week to week and prospective income cannot be estimated then income should be charged for the actual period it was earned or represents.

This reduces the likelihood of debt when they complete their final Review of Annual Income.

Sole parent and grandparented clients move to weekly charging from:

• their next commencement date, this is when:
  • a client moves to the 26 week expiry and reapplication cycle because they completed the 26 week reapplication process before their final 52 week expiry date, and their Jobseeker Support has been regranted or
  • a client transfers to another main benefit and then back to Jobseeker Support or
  • their benefit is cancelled for any reason and they later apply for and are granted Jobseeker Support
• when they have a change in circumstances that means they are no longer a sole parent or grandparented client, for example:
  • if a sole parents only dependent child leaves their care or
  • a grandparented client has their benefit cancelled for any reason and they later apply for and are granted Jobseeker Support

If a sole parent or grandparented client has a change in circumstances other than the kind listed above, they can continue to have their income charged annually until they move to the 26 week expiry and reapplication cycle.

For example, when a client has had their benefit temporarily suspended at any time before their final 52 week expiry date.

For more information see:

• Completing the 26 week reapplication process

When a client has commenced full-time employment they no longer qualify for Jobseeker Support. However, there is an exception for some clients.

For more information see:

• Temporary employment period for sole parent and grandparented clients before 30 June 2026