Income test

Clients whose weekly income is over $160 gross per week will have their benefit reduced by 70 cents for every $1.00 of income that is over $160 gross per week.

If a client is getting a half-married rate of benefit because their partner is:

• granted a main benefit in their own right, or
• not entitled to get a benefit because they have a 13-week non-entitlement period, have a financial sanction imposed, or they are on strike.

Then, their benefit will be reduced by 35 cents for every $1.00 of the total combined income that is over $160 gross per week.

Sole parents and grandparented clients whose weekly income is over $160 gross per week will have their benefit reduced by:

• 30 cents for every $1.00 of income that is between $160 and $250 gross per week
• 70 cents for every $1.00 of income that is more than $250 gross per week.

Sole parents 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. This is a transitional arrangement.

These clients move to weekly income charging, and the 26 week expiry and reapplication cycle, when they complete the 26 week reapplication process before their final 52 week expiry date and have their Jobseeker Support regranted.

By 30 June 2026 all Jobseeker Support clients will have moved to weekly income charging.

For more information see:

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