🇦🇺 JobSeeker and Youth Allowance mutual obligations

Mutual obligation points, without the admin

On Workforce Australia you earn points each month to keep your payment. We handle the admin around it, so your time goes on applications and your business idea.

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100 pointsthe most your monthly target can be, including 4 job searches
5 pointsfor each job search you report
6 monthshow long a demerit lasts if you miss a requirement without a valid reason

What mutual obligations ask of you

A monthly points target
Your target is usually 100 points a month, set for your circumstances and local job market. That includes at least 4 job searches (20 points). Your provider or the Digital Services Contact Centre can lower it.
What earns points
Job searches (5 points each), interviews, starting a job, paid work, study and training, volunteering and other approved activities. Self-Employment Assistance activities count too. In Small Business Coaching, and the first 8 weeks of Small Business Training, you don't have to look for work.
Your Job Plan and reporting
You must agree to a Job Plan and do what it says. Record your job searches and activities in your Workforce Australia account (via myGov or the app), and report your income to Centrelink every 14 days, even if it's $0.
Demerits and penalties
If you miss a requirement, your payment can be suspended until you catch up. Without a valid reason you get a demerit, which lasts 6 months. After 3 you have a Capability Interview, after 5 a Capability Assessment, then in the penalty zone you can lose half, then all, of a fortnight's payment. Most financial penalties are paused for now. DEWR may restart some from 26 October 2026.

Services Australia: Mutual obligation requirementsChecked 26 Sept 2026

What the app does for you

Search in one tap
Opens Workforce Australia jobs, the official job board, ready for your search.
Your points target
Enter the monthly target and job search minimum on your Workforce Australia homepage. A progress bar shows where you are this month.
Your record
Log each application, interview, activity or business step: date, employer, role, link. Then report it in your Workforce Australia account with everything in front of you.
Time in your week
A weekly planner puts your job-search hours, and any business hours, into your phone calendar with reminders.

We never apply, log in or report anything for you. You stay in control of your claim.

Set it up in 3 steps

Add your target
Enter your monthly points target and job search minimum from your Workforce Australia homepage or Job Plan.
Plan your week
Pick your job-search times. They go into your calendar with reminders.
Search, log, report
Search Workforce Australia jobs, log what you did, then report it in the Workforce Australia app before your period ends.

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Got a business idea too?

Self-Employment Assistance activities earn points, and Small Business Coaching gives you 12 months of mentoring with no job search. Eligible people can also get an allowance for up to 39 weeks. Ask your provider or a local Self-Employment Assistance provider.

See the business route

Mutual obligation points: common questions

How many points do I need each month?

Usually 100 points, but your target is set for your circumstances and local job market and can be lower. Your current target is on your Workforce Australia homepage.

How many jobs do I need to apply for?

A full target includes a minimum of 4 job searches a month, worth 5 points each. You can make up the rest with other tasks and activities, or with more job searches.

What if I earn more points than my target?

You can bank points above your target, up to half of it. They come off your target at the start of the next reporting period.

Does working on my own business count?

Self-Employment Assistance activities are approved activities. In Small Business Coaching, and the first 8 weeks of Small Business Training, you don't have to look for work.

What happens if I miss an appointment or my target?

Your payment can be suspended until you meet the requirement. Without a valid reason you get a demerit, which lasts 6 months. Tell your provider before you miss something if you can.

What if I turn down a job?

Refusing a suitable job offer, or not starting a job you accepted, without a valid reason can mean your payment is cancelled and you get nothing for 4 weeks. Most penalties and cancellations are paused for now; DEWR may restart some from 26 October 2026.

Do young people on Transition to Work have points?

No. Transition to Work participants don't have a points target. They agree their activities with their provider.

Cite this page

"Mutual obligation points: the rules, made easy", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/au/mutual-obligation-points/ (updated 25 September 2026)

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