Income Test for single allowance customers 108-01020010

The personal Income Test for JobSeeker Payment (JSP) and Youth Allowance (YA) (job seeker) customers is designed so it does not affect a customer's payment if their total ordinary income in the fortnight is below $150.

However, total ordinary income above $150 a fortnight will reduce the customer's payment by:

• 50 cents for each $1 of income between $150 and $256 a fortnight, or between $150 and $250 for YA (job seeker) a fortnight, and
• 60 cents for each $1 of income above $256/$250 a fortnight

Note: for single principal carers receiving JSP, their payment reduces by 40 cents for each $1 above $150.

These amounts apply from 1 April 2021.

Historical

• From 1 July 2019
• 50 cents for each $1 between $104 and $254 a fortnight, or between $143 and $250 for YA (Jobseeker) a fortnight
• 60 cents for each $1 above $254 a fortnight ($250 YA Jobseeker)
• From 1 July 2015
• 50 cents for each $1 between $102 and $252 a fortnight or between $143 and $250 for YA (Jobseeker) a fortnight
• 60 cents for each $1 above $252 a fortnight ($250 YA Jobseeker)
• From 1 July 2014
• 50 cents for each $1 between $100 ($143 YA Jobseeker) and $250 a fortnight
• 60 cents for each $1 above $250 a fortnight
• From 20 March 2014
• 50 cents for each $1 between $100 ($143 YA Jobseeker) and $250 a fortnight
• 60 cents for each $1 above $250 a fortnight
• 40 cents for each $1 above $100 a fortnight for single principal carers
• From 1 January 2013
• 50 cents for each $1 between $62 ($143 YA Jobseeker) and $250 a fortnight
• 60 cents for each $1 above $250 a fortnight
• 40 cents for each $1 above $62 a fortnight for single principal carers

For ABSTUDY, Austudy and Youth Allowance (YA) students and Australian Apprentices (apprentice or trainee), the Income Test includes a higher income free area and is covered in another procedure.

The Income Test has different applications for the following customers:

• single customers
• partnered customers
• partnered customers where the partner is receiving a social security pension or social security benefit

Customers may have accrued a Working Credit which can reduce the effect of income on their rate of payment during periods of employment.

NDIS funds received from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), whether received periodically or as a lump sum, including interest accrued, which are deposited into an account specifically for the purpose of managing the customer's NDIS plan, are exempt from the Income and Assets Test and deeming. They are not required to be reported or if reported should not be taken into account in the income and asset assessment.

If a person receives any New Zealand Superannuation (NZS), Veterans Pension (NZVP) or Invalids Benefit (NZIB), their payments will be calculated differently. The combined amount of Australian and New Zealand (NZ) payments will be comparable to the amount the person would have received if the person did not receive any NZ payment.