How Much Is JobSeeker Payment in 2026? Current Rates & Income Test
Find out the current JobSeeker Payment rates for 2026, including fortnightly amounts for singles and couples, how the income test works, and when rates next increase.
Current JobSeeker Payment Rates (March 2026)
The JobSeeker Payment is the main income support payment for Australians aged 22 to Age Pension age who are looking for work or unable to work due to a temporary medical condition. As of March 2026, the base rate for a single person with no children is $762.70 per fortnight ($381.35 per week). If you are single with dependent children, the rate increases to $816.90 per fortnight. For partnered recipients, the base rate is $698.30 per fortnight each. These rates include the Energy Supplement, which is automatically added to your payment. Rates are indexed twice a year — on 20 March and 20 September — in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The March 2026 indexation saw a modest increase of approximately 1.8% across all payment categories, reflecting the slowing inflation environment compared to the sharp increases seen in 2023 and 2024.
JobSeeker Payment Supplements and Add-Ons
On top of the base rate, you may be entitled to additional supplements that can significantly increase your total payment. Rent Assistance adds up to $188.20 per fortnight for singles or $177.20 per fortnight for couples combined, depending on how much rent you pay. The Pharmaceutical Allowance is $6.40 per fortnight for singles. If you are over 60 and have been receiving income support for nine or more continuous months, you may qualify for the higher single rate of $816.90 per fortnight even without children. The Energy Supplement is $9.30 per fortnight for singles. Remote Area Allowance provides an extra $18.20 per fortnight if you live in a designated remote area. When you add Rent Assistance and all supplements together, a single renter on JobSeeker could receive over $960 per fortnight. Use our JobSeeker Calculator to work out your exact entitlement based on your personal circumstances.
How the JobSeeker Income Test Works
The income test determines how much your JobSeeker Payment is reduced when you earn money from employment or other sources. You can earn up to $150 per fortnight before your payment is affected — this is called the income free area. For every dollar you earn between $150 and $256 per fortnight, your payment reduces by 50 cents. For every dollar you earn above $256 per fortnight, your payment reduces by 60 cents. This means your payment cuts out entirely at around $1,408.83 per fortnight for a single person with no children ($36,629 per year). The Working Credit system allows you to build up credits of up to 1,000 points during fortnights where you earn less than $48. These credits can then offset employment income in future fortnights, effectively increasing your income free area. Partner income is also assessed — if your partner earns above the partner income free area of $1,256 per fortnight, your payment may be reduced.
JobSeeker Asset Test Thresholds
In addition to the income test, your assets must fall below certain thresholds to qualify for JobSeeker Payment. As of March 2026, homeowners can have assets up to $301,750 (single) or $451,500 (couple combined) before losing eligibility. Non-homeowners have higher thresholds: $543,750 (single) or $693,500 (couple combined). Assets include bank accounts, shares, managed funds, investment properties, vehicles (above the first $10,350 of each vehicle), superannuation if you are over Age Pension age, and any other property or investments you own. Your principal home is not counted as an asset. Personal effects and household contents are generally assessed at their sale value, not replacement value. If your assets exceed the threshold even slightly, you will lose the entire payment — there is no tapering for the asset test on JobSeeker, unlike the Age Pension. It is important to get an accurate valuation of all your assets before applying.
Who Is Eligible for JobSeeker Payment
To receive JobSeeker Payment, you must meet several eligibility criteria set by Services Australia. You must be aged between 22 and Age Pension age (currently 67 years). You must be an Australian resident and living in Australia. You need to be unemployed or working fewer than your assessed capacity of hours, and actively looking for suitable work. You must also satisfy the income and asset tests described above. If you have a temporary illness or injury preventing you from working, you can still receive JobSeeker with a temporary incapacity exemption supported by a medical certificate — this exempts you from mutual obligations for the period specified. People with a partial capacity to work (assessed at 15 to 29 hours per week) may receive JobSeeker with modified requirements. Principal carers of dependent children may also qualify with reduced mutual obligation requirements. You cannot generally receive JobSeeker if you are a full-time student, as Youth Allowance or Austudy may be more appropriate.
How to Apply for JobSeeker Payment
Applying for JobSeeker Payment is done online through your myGov account linked to Centrelink. Start by signing into myGov at my.gov.au and selecting your Centrelink link. If you do not have a myGov account, you will need to create one first and verify your identity. Once in Centrelink online, go to Payments and Claims, then Make a Claim, and select the category for working-age payments. The online claim form will ask for details about your personal circumstances, income, assets, housing, and job search efforts. You will need your Tax File Number, bank account details, and identification documents. Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, though it can be longer during peak periods. You may be subject to waiting periods including the Ordinary Waiting Period (one week), the Liquid Assets Waiting Period (up to 13 weeks if you have significant liquid assets), and the Income Maintenance Period if you received leave or redundancy payments. Your payment start date is generally the date you submit your completed claim.
When Do JobSeeker Rates Increase Next?
JobSeeker Payment rates are adjusted twice per year through indexation, which occurs on 20 March and 20 September. The March 2026 increase has already been applied to the rates listed above. The next scheduled increase will take effect from 20 September 2026, and the amount of the increase will depend on the CPI figures for the relevant quarter (published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics). In recent years, indexation increases have ranged from around 1.5% to 4.5% per period, reflecting the variable inflation environment. Beyond regular indexation, the government can also make one-off increases to payment rates through budget measures — for example, the $40 per fortnight increase announced in the 2023-24 Budget. The May 2026 Federal Budget may announce further changes to JobSeeker rates or settings. It is worth checking Services Australia's website after each indexation date and budget announcement for the most current figures.
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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
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