Examples of income assessment
A married client (with no children) is getting Jobseeker Support, and their partner works for 2 weeks earning $390.53 gross in the first week and $795.00 gross in the second week.
To work out the income deduction:
Week 1 | Week 2 | |
Gross income (excluding cents) | $390.00 | $795.00 |
Less income allowed before benefit is affected | $160.00 | $160.00 |
Equals income | $230.00 | $635.00 |
Amount benefit reduced on account of income (Income over $160.00 reduces benefit by 70 cents per $1.00) | ($230 x 0.7) $161.00 | ($635 x 0.7) $444.50 |
To work out the benefit rate payable:
Week 1 | Week 2 | |
Maximum benefit (net as at 1 April 2026) | $633.94 | $633.94 |
Less reduction due to income | $161.00 | $444.50 |
Benefit rate payable | $472.94 | $189.44 |
Example 2
A client is getting Jobseeker Support (with no children) at the half married, civil union or de facto rate as their partner has a voluntary unemployment stand-down imposed.
The client also works and is earning $220.00 gross a week on a regular basis.
To work out the income deduction:
Gross income (excluding cents) | $220.00 |
Less income allowed before benefit is affected | $160.00 |
Equals income | $60.00 |
Amount benefit reduced on account of income (Income over $160.00 reduces benefit by 35 cents per $1.00) | ($60 x 0.35) $21.00 |
To work out the benefit rate payable:
Maximum net benefit (as at 1 April 2026) | $316.97 |
Less reduction due to income | $21.00 |
Benefit rate payable | $295.97 |
Example 3
A sole parent getting Jobseeker Support is working and earning $300.00 gross per week.
To work out the income deduction:
Gross income (excluding cents) | $300.00 |
Less income allowed before benefit is affected | $160.00 |
Equals income | $140.00 |
Amount benefit reduced on account of income Income over $160.00 reduces benefit by 30 cents per $1.00 ($90.00 x 0.30) = $27.00 Income over $250.00 reduces benefit by 70 cents per $1.00 over $250.00 ($50.00 x 0.70) = $35.00 | $62.00 |
To work out the benefit payable:
Maximum net benefit (as at 1 April 2026) | $521.52 |
Less reduction due to income | $62.00 |
Benefit rate payable | $459.52 |
Note sole parent and grandparented Jobseeker Support clients whose benefit commenced (or last commenced) before 1 July 2025 may be able to have their income charged annually.
For more information see:
For more information see:
Legislation
- How weekly income calculated clause 13, schedule 3 Social Security Act 2018
- Jobseeker support part 1, schedule 4 Social Security Act 2018
