Most useful information for recently unemployed

Severe financial hardship for Crisis Payment

For the purposes of Crisis Payment, you’re in severe financial hardship if you meet certain criteria.

Income test for JobSeeker Payment

Your or your partner’s income can reduce how much we pay you.

Waiting periods

You may have to wait before your payments start.

When you need an Employment Separation Certificate

If you or your partner stop work or change from full time to casual work, you may need to give us an Employment Separation Certificate.

1. Recently unemployed
2. Most useful information

Employment Separation Certificate form (SU001)

You can ask your previous employer to use this form to certify important employment information about you.

1. Assets test
2. Asset types

Funeral bonds and prepaid funerals

Funeral costs you pay for in advance normally don’t count in your assets test for payments from us. There are some exceptions.

Overdrawn bank account

You can get help to access your money if you have an overdrawn bank account.

1. Retirement years
2. Most useful information

International bank account form (AUS178)

Use this form to tell us your bank account details if you can get your Centrelink payment outside Australia.

1. Assets test
2. Asset types

Asset hardship provisions

We may stop, reject or reduce your payment because of the assets test. If this is the case, you may be able to apply under the asset hardship provisions.

Income from outside Australia

Income you get from outside Australia can count in your income test.