How to Apply for JobSeeker Payment
A step-by-step guide to applying for JobSeeker Payment in Australia — from your first contact with an Employment Services provider to receiving your first payment.
General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
Step 1.Check If You Are Eligible
JobSeeker Payment is the main income support payment for people aged 22 to Age Pension age who are looking for work or unable to work due to a temporary medical condition. To be eligible you must be an Australian resident (citizen, permanent resident, or protected Special Category Visa holder), meet the income and assets tests, and be willing to look for and accept suitable work. As of March 2026, the maximum base rate for a single person with no children is approximately $762.70 per fortnight (including the Energy Supplement). If you have a partner, different rates apply. You cannot receive JobSeeker if your income or assets are above certain thresholds — use our Income Test and Assets Test calculators to check where you stand before applying.
Step 2.Create Your myGov Account and Link It to Centrelink
If you do not already have a myGov account, go to my.gov.au and create one. You will need an email address, a mobile number, and at least one form of ID. Once your account is set up, link it to Centrelink by selecting 'Services' in myGov and choosing 'Centrelink'. You will need your Centrelink Reference Number (CRN) — if you have ever dealt with Centrelink before, you already have one. If not, you will get one when you submit your claim. Linking Centrelink to myGov is essential because almost everything — your claim, reporting, letters, and appointments — runs through this portal.
Step 3.Submit Your Intent to Claim
Your payment can only be backdated to the date you contact Centrelink about claiming, not the date you actually submit the full claim. This means the sooner you register your intent, the better. You can do this by calling the Centrelink Employment Services line on 132 850, or by starting your claim online through myGov. Even if you are not ready to complete the full application yet, make this call or start the process today. Centrelink will give you a set number of days (usually 14) to complete and submit the full claim. If you miss this deadline, your start date will shift to whenever you actually submit.
Step 4.Complete the Online Claim
Log into myGov, go to Centrelink, and select 'Make a Claim'. Choose 'JobSeeker Payment' under employment-related claims. The form will ask about your personal details, residency, living arrangements, income, assets, bank accounts, and relationship status. You will also need to provide Tax File Number details and nominate a bank account for payments. Have the following documents ready: your ID (passport, birth certificate, or driver's licence), bank statements for all accounts, payslips or proof of any income, details of any assets you own (car, investments, property), and your rental agreement or mortgage details. The form can be saved and resumed, so do not stress if you cannot finish it in one sitting.
Step 5.Attend Your Centrelink Appointment
After submitting your claim, Centrelink will book you an initial appointment — this may be by phone or in person at your local Service Centre. At this appointment, a staff member will review your claim, verify your identity (you need 100 points of ID), and discuss your circumstances. They will also explain your mutual obligations, which are the activities you must do to keep receiving payment. Be honest and thorough about your situation — if you have medical conditions, caring responsibilities, or other barriers to work, mention them now as they can affect what activities you are required to do and may qualify you for a reduced obligation rate.
Step 6.Connect with an Employment Services Provider
Most JobSeeker recipients are referred to a Workforce Australia provider (formerly known as a Job Services provider). This organisation will help you search for work, write your resume, and develop a job plan. You may be able to choose your provider, so it is worth looking at options in your area and reading reviews. Your provider will create a Points Based Activation System (PBAS) plan, which outlines the activities you need to complete each month. Activities include job applications, training courses, volunteering, and attending appointments. You generally need to accumulate a set number of points each month — typically 100 points for most people, though this varies based on your circumstances.
Step 7.Start Reporting Your Income Fortnightly
Once your claim is granted, you must report to Centrelink every two weeks — even if you had no income. Reporting is done through myGov or the Centrelink Express Plus app (download it from the App Store or Google Play). On your reporting day, you will be asked how many hours you worked, how much you earned (gross, before tax), and whether your circumstances have changed. Report your gross income, not net — this is a common mistake that can cause overpayments and debts. Each fortnight, the first $150 of income is disregarded entirely. After that, your payment reduces by 50 cents for every dollar earned up to $256, and by 60 cents for every dollar above that. If you earn enough, your payment will reduce to zero, but you should keep reporting as your payment can restart if your income drops.
Step 8.Receive Your First Payment
There is a waiting period before your first payment. Most new claimants face a one-week Ordinary Waiting Period. If you have liquid assets (cash, savings, shares) above $5,500 for a single person or $11,000 for a couple, you may also face a Liquid Assets Waiting Period of up to 13 weeks. If you left your last job voluntarily or were dismissed for misconduct, an Unemployment Proration Period of up to 6 weeks may apply. Newly arrived residents may face a longer waiting period. Your first payment will be deposited into the bank account you nominated. You will also receive a Health Care Card, which gives you access to cheaper prescriptions, bulk-billed medical visits, and discounts on utilities and public transport. Keep this card — it is genuinely valuable.
Useful Tools
- JobSeeker Payment Calculator
- Income Test Calculator
- Assets Test Calculator
- Centrelink Payment Rates
- Benefits Eligibility Check
Resources
- Services Australia — JobSeeker Payment (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
- Workforce Australia — Find a Provider (workforceaustralia.gov.au)
- myGov — Create an Account (my.gov.au)