How to use the JobSeeker calculator
- 1 Choose your situation: single, single principal carer, 55 or over, or partnered.
- 2 Enter your income for the fortnight.
- 3 Enter your partner's income if you have one.
- 4 Read your JobSeeker Payment and total fortnightly income.
Worked example
A single person with no children earning $300 in a fortnight. The first $150 is free, the next $106 reduces JobSeeker by $53, and the $44 above $256 reduces it by $26.40. Payment: $833.70 − $79.40 = $754.30 a fortnight, giving total income of $1,054.30. A partnered person with no income whose partner earns $2,000 gets $427.00.
Working while on JobSeeker
- Report income every fortnight, even small amounts.
- Know the free area: $150 a fortnight.
- Check the Working Credit balance that builds when you earn less.
- Tell Centrelink about a partner's income changes.
Add family payments with the Family Tax Benefit Calculator, work out wages with the Hourly Rate Calculator, and see retirement help with the Age Pension Calculator.
Features
September 2026 rates
$833.70 single, $892.80 with children, $763.00 each for couples, including the Energy Supplement.
Income test
$150 free, then 50c and 60c tapers, or 40c for principal carers.
Partner income
60c reduction above $1,440 a fortnight.
When to use it
Picking up shifts
See how much of extra work you keep. Work out wages with the Hourly Rate Calculator.
Couples
See the effect of your partner's pay.
Moving into work
See where JobSeeker stops. Check take-home pay with the Pay Calculator.
Families
Add family payments with the Family Tax Benefit Calculator.
Related Centrelink Payments tasks
Frequently asked questions
How much is JobSeeker from 20 September 2026?
$824.90 a fortnight for a single person with no children, plus an $8.80 Energy Supplement ($833.70). Singles with children and people 55+ after 9 months get $883.30 plus $9.50 ($892.80). Partnered people get $755.10 each plus $7.90 ($763.00).
How much can I earn on JobSeeker?
You can earn $150 a fortnight without any reduction. Above that, your payment falls by 50 cents for each dollar up to $256, then 60 cents for each dollar above $256. A single person with no children stops getting JobSeeker at about $1,557 a fortnight.
What is different for single parents?
Single principal carers of a dependent child have a $150 free area, then lose 40 cents for each dollar above it, so they can earn more before payment stops.
How does my partner's income affect JobSeeker?
If your partner does not get an income support payment, your JobSeeker falls by 60 cents for each dollar of their income above $1,440 a fortnight (for a partner aged 22 or over).
Do I have to meet mutual obligations?
Usually yes, such as looking for work and attending appointments, unless you have an exemption.
Is JobSeeker taxable?
Yes. It counts as taxable income, although many people pay little or no tax because of the tax-free threshold and offsets.
Are there asset limits?
Yes. Assets above the limits stop payment, and savings may lead to a liquid assets waiting period.
When do rates change?
JobSeeker is indexed on 20 March and 20 September each year.
Is this an official assessment?
No. It is an estimate. Services Australia decides your payment.
What is Working Credit?
If you earn less than $150 a fortnight, the unused part of the free area builds up as Working Credit, up to $1,000 for JobSeeker. When you start earning more, the credit is used first, so your payment falls more slowly at the start of a new job.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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