Clients investigating self-employment options
Jobseeker Support may be paid to clients investigating self-employment options if they continue meeting their job search requirements.
There are several types of assistance available to clients investigating self-employment options. These are:
Pacific Island Employment Development Scheme (PIEDS)
Pacific Island Employment Development Scheme loans are offered to small businesses to encourage employment creation by the Pacific Island Employment Development Board.
Jobseeker Support cannot be paid to clients who have received this loan.
Flexi-wage Self Employment
A Flexi-wage Self Employment subsidy is paid by MSD to eligible clients who are starting a small business.
The subsidy is paid for a set period of 28 weeks. In exceptional circumstances it can be extended up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
In most cases Jobseeker Support cannot be paid to clients who are getting this assistance.
The only exception is a work obligated partner of a Jobseeker Support client getting Flexi-wage Self Employment.
In these cases it is charged as income against Jobseeker Support.
Up to $5,000 of the Flexi-wage Self Employment can be capitalised. This amount is not charged as income.
Business Training and Advice Grant
A one-off Business Training or Advice Grant of up to $5,000 per client per project is also available.
This amount is considered a capital payment and is not charged as income against Jobseeker Support.
For more information see:
- Employment assistance Assistance to enter self-employment
