Payment rates
These payment rates for Newstart Allowance are effective from 1 July 2010 and are a guide only.
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Payment amounts
| If you are | Maximum fortnightly payment |
|---|---|
| single, no children | $462.80 |
| single, with a dependent child or children | $500.70 |
| single, aged 60 or over, after 9 continuous months on payment | $500.70 |
| partnered (each) | $417.70 |
| foster caring/relative (non-parent) caring under a court order/home schooling/distance education/large family | $601.30 |
Note: Pharmaceutical Allowance may be paid.
Income and assets tests
Income and assets tests are used to work out how much you can get.
Waiting periods
You are not usually paid for the 1st week you are eligible for Newstart Allowance. This is called an 'ordinary waiting period'. In addition to this, other waiting periods can also apply, including the Liquid Assets Waiting Period, the Income Maintenance Period and the Seasonal Work Preclusion Period.
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Reporting Statements (Application for payment forms)
To keep receiving Newstart Allowance, you need to lodge a Reporting Statement each fortnight to make sure you are still eligible and getting paid the right amount.
In most cases you need to lodge your Reporting Statement each fortnight before you can be paid. You need to lodge on the date shown on your Reporting Statement or the next working day. Your payments are paid into your bank account each fortnight.
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How you can report
You can report your details to us via our self-service options or in person.
Online
- Logon to Online Services using your Customer Access Number CAN and password. You need to report by 5 pm on your reporting date to avoid any delays in your payment.
If you do not already have a CAN and password, you can:
- go to Online Services and select ‘Register’ under the ‘Log on’ button
- phone us on the number shown in the Contact information section
- visit your local Centrelink office.
To receive your letters online, you can log on to Online Services using your CAN and password and choose the ‘Reminders & Letters’ subscription from the left hand menu.
Your local Centrelink office has Online Services available to use.
Phone
- Call 13 3276 (13 ‘EARN’) on your reporting day between 8 am and 5 pm and use your CAN and PIN.
In person
- Attend your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre to lodge your Reporting Statement in person.
We may let you post your Reporting Statement if:
- you live too far away from a Centrelink Customer Service Centre and don't have access to self-service reporting
- transport costs are too high
- you are enrolled in a training course
- you are sick.
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What you need to report
You need to report your:
- income from employment
- job search activities
- approved activities
- exemptions
- changes in circumstances
In some circumstances you may be able to lodge your Reporting Statement less often. Please contact us for more information.
Payment adjustments and reviews
Newstart Allowance is usually adjusted on 20 March and 20 September each year in line with the Consumer Price Index - that is, in line with increases to the cost of living.
Your Newstart Allowance is reviewed periodically. When this happens, we will advise you of a review appointment. It is important that you attend these appointments.
More information
- A guide to Australian Government payments booklet
- Adjusting maximum payment rates
- Newstart payment rates factsheet
- Variable reporting
- Waiting periods
- Newstart Allowance section
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