The JobSeeker payment will be delivered by Centrelink, now known as Services Australia. It is a new payment designed to assist those who have lost their jobs or had had their income reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are the details about this payment:
- To be eligible, you must be between 22 and Age Pension age (those under 22 may be able to claim Youth Allowance).
- You must be a permanent employee who has been stood down or lost your job, a sole trader, self-employed, a casual or contract worker whose income has reduced, or caring for someone who has been affected by Coronavirus.
- To register you intent to claim for this payment, you do not need to go to Centrelink. You can do this via your MyGov account (ensure you are linked to Medicare, ATO and/or Centrelink).
- When you log into MyGov, you will be prompted to register your intention to claim the JobSeeker Payment.
- After registering, you will be contacted (in time) to complete your application for this payment.
- Income testing may apply (see below).
- If you are receiving payments for annual or sick leave or income protection insurance, you will not be eligible for JobSeeker payment until those payments have ceased.
- You will be required to look for work whilst on JobSeeker payments, however, this requirement has been temporarily lifted up to and including Friday 22 May 2020.
- Sole traders and self-employed people now earning less than $1,075.00 per fortnight will not have to look for work whilst on JobSeeker payments as long as they continue to operate their businesses. Note, JobSeeker payments are income tested. If your partner earns more than $79,762 a year, you will not be eligible for JobSeeker.
- Payments will begin on April 27 and will be available for at least six months.
