How much is the JobSeeker Payment?

From 20 September 2026, the basic rate is $824.90 a fortnight (single, no children), or $21,447.40 a year, and $755.10 a fortnight couple, each. These are maximum rates: the income and assets tests can reduce them.

How much did the JobSeeker Payment go up on 20 September 2026?

The maximum rate rose $16.20 a fortnight, 2.0%, from $808.70 to $824.90 (single, no children).

What was the JobSeeker Payment ten years ago?

In July 2016, the maximum rate was $527.60 a fortnight (single, no children), set on 20 March 2016. It is $824.90 now.

Where do these rates come from?

The Department of Social Services' Social Security Guide, which sets out the rates Services Australia pays through Centrelink. We read it daily and update this page when it changes. Check your own rate with Services Australia: it depends on your income, assets and circumstances.

JobSeeker Payment rates

Rates from 20 September 2026. Next change 20 March 2027.

Income support for people aged 22 to Age Pension age who are looking for work, or are sick or injured and can't do their usual work for a while. These are basic rates: the energy supplement and other extras add to them, and the income and assets tests can reduce what you get.

See every rate Eligibility and claiming

Basic rate, single, no children

$824.90a fortnight

$21,447.40 a year.

Couple, each: $755.10
Rate change on 20 Sep: +$16.20 (2.0%)
Next change: 20 March 2027

How the rate has moved

Dollars a fortnight

$0$200$400$600$800$1,00020182020202220242026$825$883$755

Single, no childrenSingle, with childrenCouple, eachMaximum basic rate, before supplements, dollars a fortnight, from the Social Security Guide (section 5.2.1.20). Unemployment and sickness benefit, then Newstart Allowance, before JobSeeker Payment began on 20 March 2020. The Guide gives rates before then per week; they are doubled here.

JobSeeker Payment basic rates from 20 September 2026

Basic rates, before Rent Assistance, the energy supplement and other extras you may also be paid.

JobSeeker Payment rates a fortnight from 20 September 2026
Situation	A fortnight	A year
Single, no children	$824.90	$21,447.40
Single, with children	$883.30	$22,965.80
Single, 55 or older, after 9 months on payment	$883.30	$22,965.80
Single, able to work 0 to 14 hours a week	$883.30	$22,965.80
Single principal carer exempt from mutual obligations	$1,068.20	$27,773.20
Couple, each	$755.10	$19,632.60

Has it kept up with prices?

Ten years ago, in July 2016, the most you could get was $527.60 a fortnight (single, no children). It's $824.90 now, 56.3% more. Prices rose 34.7% over the same stretch, going by the ABS consumer price index from the September quarter 2016 to the June quarter 2026, so it has more than kept pace.

Since July 2016

The rate, single, no children+56.3%
Prices, by the consumer price index+34.7%

The last ten changes

The last ten changes to the JobSeeker Payment rate, a fortnight
From	Single, no children	Single, with children
20 Sept 2026	$824.90	$883.30
20 Mar 2026	$808.70	$866.00
20 Sept 2025	$793.60	$849.90
20 Mar 2025	$781.10	$836.50
20 Sept 2024	$778.00	$833.20
20 Mar 2024	$762.70	$816.90
20 Sept 2023	$749.20	$802.50
20 Mar 2023	$693.10	$745.20
20 Sept 2022	$668.40	$718.60
20 Mar 2022	$642.70	$691.00

Next change: 20 March 2027

Indexed to the Consumer Price Index on 20 March and 20 September: in March for prices from June to December, in September for December to June.

The Department of Social Services sets these rates in its Social Security Guide; Services Australia pays them through Centrelink. Your own rate depends on your income, assets, living arrangements and other payments, so check it with Services Australia before you plan around it.

JobSeeker Payment at Services Australia Social Security Guide 5.1.8.20 Rate history, 5.2.1.20

Questions people ask

How much is the JobSeeker Payment?: From 20 September 2026, the basic rate is $824.90 a fortnight (single, no children), or $21,447.40 a year, and $755.10 a fortnight couple, each. These are maximum rates: the income and assets tests can reduce them.
When does the JobSeeker Payment go up next?: On 20 March 2027. Indexed to the Consumer Price Index on 20 March and 20 September: in March for prices from June to December, in September for December to June. The new rates appear here when the Department of Social Services publishes them.
How much did the JobSeeker Payment go up on 20 September 2026?: The maximum rate rose $16.20 a fortnight, 2.0%, from $808.70 to $824.90 (single, no children).
What was the JobSeeker Payment ten years ago?: In July 2016, the maximum rate was $527.60 a fortnight (single, no children), set on 20 March 2016. It is $824.90 now.
Has the JobSeeker Payment kept up with inflation?: Ten years ago, in July 2016, the most you could get was $527.60 a fortnight (single, no children). It's $824.90 now, 56.3% more. Prices rose 34.7% over the same stretch, going by the ABS consumer price index from the September quarter 2016 to the June quarter 2026, so it has more than kept pace.
Where do these rates come from?: The Department of Social Services' Social Security Guide, which sets out the rates Services Australia pays through Centrelink. We read it daily and update this page when it changes. Check your own rate with Services Australia: it depends on your income, assets and circumstances.

Other payments

Age Pension Disability Support Pension Carer Payment Parenting Payment Youth Allowance Rent Assistance Carer Allowance

Source: Department of Social Services, Social Security Guide, sections 5.1.8.20 and 5.2.1.20, © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed CC BY 4.0, read 8 Oct 2026 and arranged by The Finance Algorithm. Not affiliated with Services Australia or Centrelink. Basic rates before the income and assets tests. General information, not financial advice.