How much can I earn and still get JobSeeker?

You can earn up to $150 per fortnight before JobSeeker Payment is reduced. Between $150 and $256, it reduces by 50c per dollar. Above $256, it reduces by 60c per dollar. A single person's JobSeeker cuts out at around $1,527 per fortnight.

Does part-time work affect my Centrelink payment?

Yes, part-time work income is assessed under the income test. Each payment has an income free area — for example, $150/fn for JobSeeker, $204/fn for Age Pension, $480/fn for Youth Allowance (students). Income above the free area reduces your payment at different taper rates.

What is the Centrelink income free area?

The income free area is the amount you can earn per fortnight before your Centrelink payment starts to reduce. It varies by payment: JobSeeker $150/fn, Age Pension $204/fn (singles), Youth Allowance $480/fn (students), Parenting Payment Single $214.60/fn. Income below the free area has no effect on your payment.

Can I Get Centrelink If I Earn $1,200 Per Fortnight?

At $1,200 per fortnight ($600/week or $31,200/year), here is how the income test affects every major Centrelink payment. March 2026 rates.

Your Income

$1,200/fn

$600/week

Eligible Payments

of 14

Cut Off

payments at $0

All Payments at $1,200 Per Fortnight Income

Payment	Max Rate	You Get	Free Area	Status
JobSeeker (Single)	$776.80	$157.40	$150/fn	Reduced
JobSeeker (Single Parent)	$831.00	$211.60	$150/fn	Reduced
JobSeeker (Partnered, each)	$705.90	$86.50	$150/fn	Reduced
Youth Allowance (At Home, 18+)	$419.60	$0.00	$480/fn	$0
Youth Allowance (Away From Home)	$610.10	$188.80	$480/fn	Reduced
Age Pension (Single)	$1,208.80	$710.80	$204/fn	Reduced
Age Pension (Couple, each)	$913.30	$703.30	$360/fn	Reduced
Parenting Payment Single	$1,054.30	$660.14	$215/fn	Reduced
Parenting Payment Partnered	$638.10	$0.00	$150/fn	$0
Disability Support Pension (Single)	$1,208.80	$710.80	$204/fn	Reduced
Disability Support Pension (Couple, each)	$913.30	$703.30	$360/fn	Reduced
Carer Payment (Single)	$1,208.80	$710.80	$204/fn	Reduced
Carer Payment (Couple, each)	$913.30	$703.30	$360/fn	Reduced
Austudy (Single)	$776.80	$157.40	$150/fn	Reduced

Payments You Can Still Get

JobSeeker (Single)$157.40/fn (reduced)
JobSeeker (Single Parent)$211.60/fn (reduced)
JobSeeker (Partnered, each)$86.50/fn (reduced)
Youth Allowance (Away From Home)$188.80/fn (reduced)
Age Pension (Single)$710.80/fn (reduced)
Age Pension (Couple, each)$703.30/fn (reduced)
Parenting Payment Single$660.14/fn (reduced)
Disability Support Pension (Single)$710.80/fn (reduced)
Disability Support Pension (Couple, each)$703.30/fn (reduced)
Carer Payment (Single)$710.80/fn (reduced)
Carer Payment (Couple, each)$703.30/fn (reduced)
Austudy (Single)$157.40/fn (reduced)

Payments Cut Off at This Income

Youth Allowance (At Home, 18+)cuts out at ~$1,190/fn
Parenting Payment Partneredcuts out at ~$1,150/fn

Tips for Maximising Payments While Working

1.Stay under the free area if possible. Each payment has a different free area — earning below it means no reduction at all.
2.Use the Work Bonus if on Age Pension or DSP. You can earn an extra $300/fn from employment before it is counted as income.
3.Student Income Bank — if receiving Youth Allowance or Austudy as a student, unused income credits accumulate and can offset higher-earning periods.
4.Report income correctly — Centrelink assesses fortnightly income. Make sure you report gross employment income (before tax) each reporting period.

Check exactly how income affects your specific payment

Full Income Test Calculator

Check Other Income Levels

$0/fn $100/fn $200/fn $300/fn $400/fn $500/fn $600/fn $700/fn $800/fn $900/fn $1,000/fn $1,100/fn $1,300/fn $1,400/fn $1,500/fn $1,750/fn $2,000/fn $2,500/fn $3,000/fn $3,500/fn $4,000/fn

General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.