Title: Starting a business when you're young and not working (2026) > For young Australians starting a business: Self-Employment Assistance, Youth Allowance rates from 20 September 2026, Transition to Work and state programs. Source: https://pontia.xyz/au/young-people/ Checked: 25 September 2026 For young people # Young and not working yet? Your idea could be your first job. If you're 15 to 24 and want to start something of your own, there are free workshops, advisers and coaching to help. From 18, Small Business Coaching gives you 12 months of mentoring, and eligible people get an allowance while they start. [Sign up free](https://pontia.xyz/au/start/?from=youth-hero)[JobSeeker self-employed calculator](https://pontia.xyz/au/jobseeker-self-employed-calculator/) Free forever · No card · No hidden charges 8% > of 15 to 24 year olds in Australia were between things in May 2025: not in any work or study. You're in good company, and plenty of good businesses start from here. [ABS, Education and Work, Australia, May 2025 (released November 2025)](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/education/education-and-work-australia/latest-release) ## Schemes you can use Official schemes and who they’re for. The ones only for young people come first. - Keep an incomeAges 16–21Job search required ### Youth Allowance while you build your business If you’re 16 to 21, Youth Allowance as a job seeker can support you while you plan and start a business. Business profit is assessed the same way as JobSeeker, and your Job Plan still applies. [What is this, and what do I have to do? →](https://pontia.xyz/au/guide/ya/) - $482.40 a fortnight at 18+ living at home, $677.20 if you need to live away from home, $418.90 under 18 at home (from 20 September 2026) - Income over $150 a fortnight cuts it by 50c per $1 up to $250, then 60c per $1 above $250 - Business profit counts after allowed costs, as an annual amount; report changes within 14 days - If you’re assessed as dependent, your parents’ income can also reduce it [Official site](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-much-youth-allowance-for-job-seekers-you-can-get)Checked 25 Sept 2026 - Advice & supportJob search required ### Self-Employment Assistance A free Workforce Australia program that helps you test a business idea, write your business plan, get accredited training and one-to-one advice. It replaced NEIS in July 2022 and runs through local providers in 51 regions. [What is this, and what do I have to do? →](https://pontia.xyz/au/guide/sea/) - Free Exploring Self-Employment Workshops (over 1 to 2 weeks), Business Plan Development and accredited Small Business Training such as the Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business - Up to 2 one-hour Business Advice Sessions and one 3-hour Business Health Check every 12 months - No job search requirement while you do Small Business Training (up to 8 weeks); other services earn 15 to 25 points - From age 15; Australian citizen, permanent visa or nominated visa holder; not an undischarged bankrupt [Official site](https://www.dewr.gov.au/self-employment-assistance)Checked 25 Sept 2026 - Keep an incomeJob search required ### JobSeeker Payment while you build your business Stay on JobSeeker Payment while you plan and start a small business. Your net business profit is set as an annual amount and spread across each fortnight, and your Job Plan still applies. [What is this, and what do I have to do? →](https://pontia.xyz/au/guide/jobseeker/) - $824.90 a fortnight if you’re single with no children; $883.30 with a dependent child, or at 55+ after 9 months on payment; $755.10 if partnered (from 20 September 2026) - The first $150 a fortnight is free, then it drops 50c per $1 up to $256 and 60c per $1 above (single, no children) - Business profit counts after allowed costs, as an annual amount divided over 26 fortnights; tell Centrelink within 14 days of any change - Your Job Plan continues unless your business passes the sufficient work test (profit ÷ $26.44 minimum wage = hours counted) [Official site](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-much-jobseeker-payment-you-can-get)Checked 25 Sept 2026 - Lower contributions ### Small business income tax offset As a sole trader, the tax on your business profit is cut by 16%, up to $1,000 a year. The ATO works it out from your tax return; there is no separate application. - 16% of the tax on your net small business income, up to $1,000 a year (2021–22 onwards) - Sole traders, and shares of partnership or trust business income; aggregated turnover under $5 million - No offset if your net business income is a loss - Shown on your notice of assessment after you lodge [Official site](https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/income-deductions-and-concessions/income-and-deductions-for-business/concessions-offsets-and-rebates/small-business-income-tax-offset)Checked 25 Sept 2026 Summaries are simplified. Always check the official source before you apply. ## Who to talk to first Free, and they help people in your position every day. - ### Self-Employment Assistance provider Ages 15+ (18+ for coaching) Free Exploring Self-Employment Workshops, help with a business plan, and free advice sessions from age 15. From 18, Small Business Coaching gives you 12 months of mentoring. Contact your local provider directly. [Official page](https://www.dewr.gov.au/self-employment-assistance) - ### Transition to Work Ages 15–24 Intensive support from a local provider into work, training or education, with no points target. Talk to a provider to check if you're eligible. [Official page](https://www.dewr.gov.au/transition-work) - ### Youth Advisory Sessions Ages 15–24 On Workforce Australia Online? You can get up to three free one-hour sessions with a specialist youth consultant, delivered by a Transition to Work provider. [Official page](https://www.dewr.gov.au/transition-work) ## Age rules that change your numbers - Youth Allowance (job seeker) is for ages 16 to 21. From 22 you move to JobSeeker Payment. [Official page](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/who-can-get-youth-allowance-for-job-seekers) - From 20 September 2026, Youth Allowance for a single 18+ job seeker with no children is up to $482.40 a fortnight living at home, or $677.20 if you need to live away from home. [Official page](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-much-youth-allowance-for-job-seekers-you-can-get) - In Small Business Coaching, and the first 8 weeks of Small Business Training, you don't have to look for work. Tell your provider you want to use Self-Employment Assistance. [Official page](https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/3/11/3/70) - In South Australia, the government-funded SA Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (SAYES) is a 12-month program run by Business SA to help young people turn a business idea into a real business. [Official page](https://business.sa.gov.au/services/mentoring-and-coaching) [Try the numbers firstJobSeeker self-employed calculatorSee what you’d keep each fortnight while your business earns.](https://pontia.xyz/au/jobseeker-self-employed-calculator/) ## Put it all into one plan Pick your schemes, add your figures and see your living and start-up budgets side by side. It takes about 2 minutes. [Sign up free](https://pontia.xyz/au/start/?from=youth-end) Free forever · No card · No hidden charges Sources, checked 25 September 2026 Estimate and guidance only. Confirm with your benefit office, the official website or an adviser. Rules change, and your situation changes the outcome. Not a government service. Not financial, tax or legal advice. Cite this page "Starting a business when you're young and not working (2026)", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/au/young-people/ (updated 25 September 2026) ## Related guides and tools - [Start your business and keep your payment](https://pontia.xyz/au/) - [Mutual obligation points, without the admin](https://pontia.xyz/au/mutual-obligation-points/) - [JobSeeker self-employed calculator](https://pontia.xyz/au/jobseeker-self-employed-calculator/) - [Australian State Small Business Support Index 2026](https://pontia.xyz/au/datasets/au-state-support-index/) - [Months of benefit while starting up: Australia vs 8 countries](https://pontia.xyz/au/datasets/au-support-months/) - [Australia start-up support for job seekers: figures 2026](https://pontia.xyz/au/datasets/au-startup-support/) - [JobSeeker Payment while you build your business vs Youth Allowance while you build your business](https://pontia.xyz/au/compare/jobseeker-vs-ya/) - [JobSeeker Payment while you build your business vs Small Business Coaching and Self-Employment Allowance](https://pontia.xyz/au/compare/jobseeker-vs-sbc/) - [Youth Allowance while you build your business vs Small Business Coaching and Self-Employment Allowance](https://pontia.xyz/au/compare/ya-vs-sbc/) --- Pontia is free and independent. It is not a government service and not financial, tax, legal or benefits advice; always check the official source linked on the page. Some tool links are affiliate links: we may earn a fee at no cost to you, and free options come first. Contact: hello@pontia.xyz Cite as: "Starting a business when you're young and not working (2026)", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/au/young-people/ (updated 25 September 2026) Whole site in one file: https://pontia.xyz/llms-full.txt