Newstart Allowance
Financial help if you are looking for work or participating in approved activities that may increase your chances of finding a job.
Eligibility basics
- aged 22 years or older but under age pension age
- looking for paid work
- prepared to meet the Mutual Obligation Requirements while you are looking for work
- meet an income and assets test
Eligibility & payment rates
Eligibility
You need to meet eligibility requirements to claim Newstart Allowance.
You may be eligible for Newstart Allowance if you:
- are aged 22 years or older but under age pension age
- are looking for suitable paid work
- are prepared to enter into a Job Plan
- are not involved in industrial action
- meet income and assets test requirements
- meet Mutual Obligation Requirements, and
- meet residence requirements
Payment rates
The payment rates for Newstart Allowance are updated on 20 March and 20 September each year and are a guide only.
| If you are: | Your maximum fortnightly payment is: |
|---|---|
| single, no children | $535.60 |
| single, with a dependent child or children | $579.30 |
| single, aged 60 or over, after 9 continuous months on payment | $579.30 |
| partnered | $483.60 (each) |
single principal carer granted an exemption from Mutual Obligation Requirements for either:
|
$748.10 |
Waiting periods
When you apply for a payment, you may not get it immediately. The time you have to wait is called a waiting period.
Income test
Income and assets tests are used to work out your payment rate. The test resulting in the lowest payment rate will apply.
Assets
Property and items you or your partner own or have an interest in, including assets held outside Australia, can affect your payment.
Working Credit
Working Credit lets you keep more of your income support payment and benefits while you're working.
Residence rules
On the day you claim Newstart Allowance, you must be:
- an Australian resident, and
- in Australia
To keep getting Newstart
To keep getting Newstart Allowance you must continue to be an Australian resident.
How long you need to have been a resident
You must be an Australian resident and be in Australia for 104 weeks before you can get Newstart Allowance.
What may be different
You may be exempt from serving the 104 week period if you:
- are an Australian citizen
- arrived in Australia as a refugee
- hold a specific visa subclass, or
- became a single parent during the most recent period of time you have spent living in Australia
If you’re a non-protected Special Category visa holder, and have lived in Australia for at least 10 years without a break since 27 February 2001, you may be able to get Newstart Allowance for 6 months. This can only happen once.
Claiming
Check if you are eligible for this payment before you start your claim.
Once you have read about eligibility, the next steps are:
- find out what you need before you start your claim
- begin your claim
- provide your supporting documentation
- submit your claim
- We will assess your claim and let you know the outcome
Managing your payment
Mutual Obligation Requirements
You need to do approved activities to keep getting your income support payment and increase your chances of finding work.
Change of circumstances
If you do not tell us when your circumstances change, you may be doing the wrong thing.
Try self service
Do your Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support business using self service options, including our Express Plus mobile apps, online accounts and phone self service.
Read more about using self service.
Owing money
If you owe us money, you will be sent an Account Payable letter telling you:
- why you owe the money
- the amount owed
- when the amount is due to be paid, and
- how you can make the payment
Read more about owing money and how to avoid a debt.
Advance payment options
You may be eligible to receive part of your income support payment in advance, depending on how long you have been getting it and the amount that you get.
While travelling outside Australia
To get your payment while outside Australia you must continue to meet the qualification rules for Newstart Allowance.
Read more about Newstart Allowance while travelling outside Australia
Weekly payment option
In certain circumstances you may be eligible to get your income support payment weekly, instead of fortnightly.
Income reporting
How much you or your partner earn affects your payment. We need to know what you and your partner earn each fortnight so you're paid the right amount.
When you reach age pension age
You should claim Age Pension in the 13 weeks before you get to age pension age.
If you already get income support from us, we write to you 9 weeks before you reach age pension age and tell you what to do to transfer to Age Pension.
Read about how to transfer to Age Pension.
Cashless debit card trial
The Australian government is trialling a new way of delivering welfare payments in some areas using a cashless debit card.
My bank account is overdrawn
You can get help to manage your money if your bank account is overdrawn.
Resources
JobSearch self service facilities
Self service computers and printers are available in your local service centre to help you identify employment opportunities and make contact with service providers who may assist you in your search for work.
Financial Information Services
A free, confidential service that provides education and information on financial and lifestyle issues to all Australians.
jobactive - helping you get work
If you have any questions, speak to your jobactive provider.
Read more about jobactive on the Department of Employment website or call their National Customer Service Line on 1800 805 260.
Help from social workers
Our social workers can help you during difficult times by providing counselling, support and information.
Improve your skills for education and employment
A program to improve your speaking, reading, writing or basic maths skills is available to help you get and keep a job.
Read more about Skills for Education and Employment.
Job seekers living in remote areas
If you are a job seeker living in a remote area of Australia, you can help your community and gain skills while looking for local work through the Community Development Programme.
Read more about the Community Development Programme.
Payment Finder
Select the options that describe your circumstances, then explore a list of possible Centrelink and Medicare payments and services online.
Manage your money
We’ve got advice and tools to help you with budgeting, borrowing and credit, and managing debt.
Read about how to manage your money.
Related services
- Centrepay
- Education Entry Payment
- Energy Supplement
- Health Care Card
- JobSearch facilities
- Jobs, Education and Training Child Care Fee Assistance
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Pensioner Education Supplement
- Pharmaceutical Allowance
- Rent Assistance
- Rent Deduction Scheme
- Skills for Education and Employment
- Telephone Allowance
Page last updated: 19 April 2017