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.

• Allowances income test
• Types of income we assess

Assets tests

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

• Assets test for homeowners and non-homeowners
• Types of assets we assess

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.

• Working Credit

More information

• Newstart Allowance section