Jobseeker Rate Discussions, February 2021

---

---

ai1

How much is the Jobseeker rate?

A news article today (16 Feb 2021) stated the following.

• The old rate of JobSeeker was frozen for decades, leaving hundreds of thousands of people trapped in poverty,’ Anglicare Australia executive director Kasy Chambers said.
  ‘When the government raised the rate last year, it righted that wrong.’

That statement might be confusing to some people, as the Jobseeker payment rate has risen every year, for many years, albeit under the old name of Newstart Allowance. The next rise is due in March 2021.

The Australian JobSeeker Allowance, previously called Newstart, is a welfare benefit for the Unemployed.  It is increased in line with CPI every year.

ai11

Last years rise was nothing special, just an extra $10 per fortnight for a single person.

The current Jobseeker Rates are as shown below, last changed in March 2020, and the March 2019 are shown below that.

March 2020 Jobseeker Rates.

$565.70 Single, no children.
$612.00 Single, with a dependent child or children.
$612.00 Single, aged 60 or over, after 9 continuous months on payment.
$510.80 Partnered (Each).

---

These Adverts help to pay for this site.

---

March 2019 Newstart Rates.

$555.70 Single, no children.
$601.10 Single, with a dependent child or children.
$601.10 Single, aged 60 or over, after 9 continuous months on payment.
$501.70 Partnered (Each)

Jobseeker Payment has Not Increased or Reduced

The March 2021 rate revision is under discussion at the moment.

Previous Newstart rates

March 2018 Newstart Rates.
$545.80 Single, no children

March 2017 Newstart Rates.
$535.60 Single, no children

March 2016 Newstart Rates.
$527.60 Single, no children

Newstart Allowance Rates March 2019