Initial stand-down

This is a period of up to a maximum of 2 weeks when the client cannot receive 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 clients 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 stand-down.

For more information on the initial stand-down see:

• Average weekly income
• Number of dependent children
• Employment during stand-down
• Self-imposed stand-down
• Initial stand-down procedure
• Assistance during an initial stand-down and/or benefit application process
• No stand-down applies
• Voluntary unemployment stand-down
• Deskfile Initial stand-down