What is JobSeeker Payment while you build your business?

Job search

On JobSeeker Payment you agree to a Job Plan and meet it: go to appointments with your employment services provider and, with Workforce Australia, earn your monthly points target, which may include a minimum number of job searches. You must also report to Centrelink every 2 weeks.

Your business work can count. Self-Employment Assistance earns points: an Exploring Self-Employment Workshop 20, Business Plan Development 25, and Small Business Training replaces your job search requirement for up to 8 weeks. If you already work for yourself, contacting clients, pitching for work or applying for a grant can count as job searches (5 points), and a meeting with a potential client as an interview (25 points). Your business fully meets your requirements only if it passes the sufficient work test: hours = profit ÷ $26.44 minimum wage, and most people need 70 hours a fortnight (30 if you’re 55+, a principal carer or have a partial capacity to work).

What you must do to keep getting it

• Report every 2 weeks, even if it’s $0, or your payment stops. Leave business income out of this report.
• Tell Centrelink within 14 days when you start a business, or when its income or assets change: Business details form (MOD F) and a Profit and Loss Statement (SU580).
• New business: give an estimate first, then an interim profit and loss statement after 3 months and every 3 months, until a tax return covering 6+ months is available.
• Give Centrelink your tax returns and financial statements within 14 days of them being prepared.
• If the business gets in the way of your job search or activities, you may no longer count as unemployed.
• 12 fortnights in a row paid $0 and your payment is suspended or cancelled.

If you earn money

From your own income, $150 a fortnight is free, then your payment drops 50c for each $1 up to $256 and 60c for each $1 above (single principal carers: 40c for each $1 over $150). Business profit is net of the costs Centrelink allows (not donations, borrowing costs, prior-year losses, your own super or instant asset write-offs), set as an annual amount and divided across fortnights. Wages from a job go in your fortnightly report; business income does not.

If you take or turn down a job: You must go to job interviews, accept any offer of suitable paid work and not leave a job without a valid reason. Not meeting your requirements can bring demerits and financial penalties.