JobSeeker payment rates from 20 September 2022.
JobSeeker is the Australian Unemployment benefit payment and is paid every two weeks, to eligible applicants.
JobSeeker will increase on 20 September 2022.
Single rate: $668.40, an increase of $25.70 per fortnight from $642.70.
Partnered rate: $608.70, an increase of $23.40 from $585.30
Fortnightly Payment rate.
$668.40 Single, 22 or over, no children (increase from $642.70).
$718.60 Single, 22 or over, with children (increase from $691.00).
$718.60 Single, 60 or over, after nine months (increase from $691.00).
$608.70 Partnered each. (increase from $585.30).
JobSeeker Income test
You can earn up to $150 per fortnight before tax, before your payment is affected.
Any earnings between $150 and $256 will reduce your payment by 50 cents per dollar and any earnings over $256 will reduce your payment by 60 cents per dollar.
Example:
- If you earn $150 you will keep $150.
- If you earn $200, you will lose $25, meaning you effectively only keep $175.
- If you earn $300, you will lose $53 from the $106 between $150 and $256, plus $26.40 from the $44 between $256 and $300, meaning you effectively only keep $220.60, before tax.
The following were the figures during the Covid-19 rule changes.
You can earn up to $300 per fortnight before tax, before your payment is affected.
Any earnings above $300 per fortnight, will reduce your payment by 60 cents for each dollar over this amount.
Example:
If you earn $300 you will keep $300.
If you earn $400, you will lose $60, meaning you effectively only keep $340.
If you earn $500, you will lose $120, meaning you effectively only keep $380.
servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-much-jobseeker-payment-you-can-get