Most useful information for looking for work

Demerits and suspensions for not meeting mutual obligation requirements

Job seekers could get demerits, suspensions and financial penalties for not meeting mutual obligation requirements.

1. Top payments
2. Energy Supplement

How much Energy Supplement you can get

How much Energy Supplement you get depends on your circumstances and the payment you get.

1. Youth Allowance for job seekers
2. How much you can get

Higher rates of Youth Allowance when living away from home - job seekers

You may get a higher rate of Youth Allowance. This is if you need to live away from your parents' home to look for work.

1. Top payments
2. Energy Supplement

Who can get Energy Supplement

To get Energy Supplement you must get a certain payment or card from us.

Penalties for not meeting mutual obligation requirements

You could get financial penalties for not meeting mutual obligation requirements as a job seeker. Some payment cancellations are paused.

How to apply to transfer to Age Pension

If you already get an eligible payment, we’ll invite you to apply to transfer to Age Pension. This will be 13 weeks before you reach Age Pension age.

1. Youth Allowance for job seekers
2. How much you can get

Dependent or independent for Youth Allowance as a job seeker

If you apply for Youth Allowance as a job seeker, we’ll assess you as being either dependent or independent.

Ordinary waiting period

You may have to wait for a week before your payment starts. We will let you know when you claim if this applies to you.

Payments while outside Australia

To get your payment or concession card while outside Australia, you must continue to meet the qualification rules at all times.

1. Top payments
2. Rent Assistance

How much Rent Assistance you can get

The amount of Rent Assistance you can get depends on how much rent you pay.