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Income and assets

You need to meet income and assets tests for you to receive Newstart Allowance.

Note: You may not receive Newstart Allowance straight away if you have the following funds available to spend:

  • $5,500 if you are single
  • $11,000 if you are a couple, or single with dependants
  • refer to liquid assets for more details

Income tests

As a Newstart Allowance customer you can earn up to $62 per fortnight before tax before your payment is affected.

Income between $62 and $250 reduces your fortnightly payment by 50 cents in the dollar. Income above $250 reduces your payment by 60 cents in the dollar.

Partner income which exceeds the cut-out point also reduces your payment by 60 cents in the dollar.

Assets tests

As an applicant for Newstart Allowance you will be assessed against an assets test.

Working Credit

Working Credit is a way that you can keep more of your Newstart Allowance payment if you do any part-time or casual work. It also makes it easier for you to get Newstart Allowance back if you have a short-term full-time job.


More information

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