$781 JobSeeker Payment 2025 – Centrelink Reveals Dates And Eligibility

When living costs bite and the job market shifts, Australia’s JobSeeker Payment is the safety net that helps people between jobs or temporarily unable to work keep the lights on.

For 2025, the base maximum rate for a single person with no children is $781.10 per fortnight, with higher amounts for certain situations (like having a dependent child, being 55+ and long-term on payment, or having reduced work capacity).

What Is the JobSeeker Payment?

JobSeeker Payment is Australia’s primary working-age support for people who are:

• Unemployed and actively looking for work, or
• Temporarily unable to work because of a short-term illness or injury.

To qualify, you generally must:

• Be 22 years or older and under Age Pension age (67),
• Meet residency rules (usually an Australian resident and in Australia),
• Pass the income and assets tests, and
• Agree to mutual obligations (job search, reporting, and activities) unless exempt.

Note: Full-time students typically receive Youth Allowance (student) or Austudy, not JobSeeker, unless they have a specific exemption. Principal carers and people with partial capacity to work may have adjusted requirements.

2025 JobSeeker Rates (From March 2025)

These are the maximum base rates before supplements or deductions. Your actual payment can be lower if you (or your partner) have income or assets above certain thresholds.

JobSeeker Payment – Maximum Fortnightly Rates (2025)

Situation	Fortnightly Maximum
Single, no children	$781.10
Single, with a dependent child/ren	$836.50
Single, 55+ after 9 months on income support	$836.50
Single, partial capacity to work	$836.50
Partnered (each)	$715.10
Single principal carer (incl. foster/kinship carers)	$1,011.50

Why amounts differ: Dependent children, long-term receipt (55+), or assessed limited work capacity increase the single rate. Principal carers (including many foster carers) can receive a higher maximum due to caring responsibilities.

Will JobSeeker Increase in September 2025?

Yes. Income support payments are indexed on 20 March and 20 September each year to reflect changes in prices/wages. A September 2025 indexation is expected to nudge rates higher (some commentators tip around 2.4%), though final figures are confirmed at the change date.

If eligible, you don’t need to re-apply—your rate updates automatically.

“At a Glance” – Key Facts for 2025

About	Details
Payment name	JobSeeker Payment (Centrelink)
Country / Year	Australia / 2025
Age range	22 to under 67 (Age Pension age)
Base single rate	$781.10 pf (no children)
Other common single rates	$836.50 pf (with child / 55+ after 9+ months / partial capacity)
Partnered rate (each)	$715.10 pf
Indexation	20 March & 20 September
How paid	Fortnightly, to bank account
Where to claim	myGov → Centrelink

Income & Assets: How Your Rate Is Worked Out

• Income test: You can earn up to a small income-free area each fortnight before your JobSeeker reduces. Above that, your payment tapers (reduces) as your income rises. Partner income can also affect what you’re paid.
• Assets test: If your assets exceed set thresholds (different for homeowners vs non-homeowners and for singles vs couples), your payment can reduce to $0.
• Reporting: You must report earnings (and your partner’s, if relevant) every fortnight. Many people can work part-time and still get a part-payment, thanks to the income-free area and taper rules.

Tip: If your income or circumstances change (new job, extra shifts, partner’s income, a lump sum redundancy, etc.), update your details promptly to avoid overpayments or suspensions.

Waiting Periods You Might Serve

Depending on your circumstances, one or more waiting periods can apply before the first payment:

• Ordinary Waiting Period (OWP): usually 1 week.
• Liquid Assets Waiting Period (LAWP): 1–13 weeks depending on your savings.
• Income Maintenance Period: may apply after redundancy/leave payouts.
• Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period: can apply to some new permanent residents (with exemptions).

Some waiting periods may be waived in special circumstances (e.g., financial hardship). Always keep evidence of separation and financial position.

Payment Dates & How You’re Paid

• Pay cycle: Fortnightly, based on your individual reporting date in myGov.
• Method: Directly to your bank account.
• Holidays: If pay dates clash with a public holiday, Services Australia may adjust processing so payments land on time.
• September 2025 indexation: New rates apply from 20 September 2025—they’ll flow automatically into your next eligible fortnight.

Who Can’t Get JobSeeker?

You generally can’t receive JobSeeker if you:

• Have reached Age Pension age (67+),
• Receive an incompatible income support payment (you can’t be paid two different core income support payments for the same period),
• Are a full-time student without an exemption (most students are on Youth Allowance (student) or Austudy).

How to Claim JobSeeker (Step-by-Step)

1. Create/Sign in to myGov and link Centrelink.
2. Go to Payments and claims → Claim and choose JobSeeker Payment.
3. Provide identity documents, residency details, and bank account.
4. Upload separation evidence (if applicable), income and assets details, and information about dependants.
5. Register with Workforce Australia, agree to a Job Plan, and complete any mutual obligations.
6. Submit your claim. You’ll be notified of waiting periods and what to report each fortnight.

Keep records: medical certificates for temporary incapacity, separation certificates, and proof of care if you’re a principal carer.

Example Scenarios

• Single, no kids, no income: You may receive $781.10 pf (before supplements).
• Single with one child, casual earnings: Starting from $836.50 pf, your payment tapers as your fortnightly earnings rise; you could keep some JobSeeker while working part-time.
• Partnered: Each partner’s rate is up to $715.10 pf; both incomes and assets are considered.
• Principal carer / foster carer: You may qualify for the higher single principal carer rate (up to $1,011.50 pf) and different mutual obligations.

The JobSeeker Payment remains a vital back-up for Australians who are out of work or temporarily unable to work.

For 2025, the headline figure—$781.10 per fortnight for a single person with no children—is the baseline, with higher amounts for principal carers, people 55+ after 9 months on income support, and those with partial capacity to work.

Your final payment depends on income, assets, mutual obligations, and indexation. If you think you qualify, apply via myGov, get your documents ready, understand any waiting periods, and report on time every fortnight so your support arrives consistently.

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