JobSeeker Payment

A payment for people who are looking for work, or who can’t work or study for a short time.

This is a Services Australia payment for people who are looking for work. You can also get this payment if you can’t work or study for a short time.

To get this payment, you must be between 22 and Age Pension age.

Who can get it

To get this payment, you must:

  • be between 22 and Age Pension age
  • meet the income and assets tests
  • meet residence rules.

You also need to meet rules for one of these situations:

  • you meet the definition of unemployed and you’re looking for work
  • you’re sick or injured and are unable to do your usual work or study for a short time.

Find out more about who can get it and how much you can get on the Services Australia website.

Depending on your circumstances, you may have to wait before you receive your first payment.

How to get it

Claim online

Sign in to myGov and start a claim

You’ll need to have Centrelink linked to your myGov account to claim this payment.

If you don’t have a myGov account

If you don’t have a myGov account, follow the steps to create one. When you’ve created one, you can link services to your account.

If you can't claim online

Call the employment services line on the Services Australia website.

Help in your language

Call the Centrelink multilingual phone service on 131 202 to speak with someone in your language.

Find information in more languages about Centrelink on the Services Australia website.