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JobSeeker income-support payments will change this September

The PM has recently announced that changes to the JobSeeker program are coming. Here is an overview of the changes:

• The JobSeeker scheme has been extended but rates have been cut and eligibility has been tightened.
• The JobSeeker coronavirus supplement will continue for another three months but it will fall from $550 to $250 a fortnight. That means those on the program will receive $815 a fortnight after September 2020.
• The revised JobSeeker program will also increase the income-free threshold to $300. That means recipients can earn $300 per fortnight before facing a reduction in their payment.
• At the end of September, the government will reintroduce the assets test to determine eligibility for those payments.
• From August 4th, those on JobSeeker will be required to connect with employment services and search for jobs at least four times a month, with penalties for those who refuse a role.

The Prime Minister has not ruled out further extensions and says the scheme will be reviewed again before December.

As always, please get in touch with us if you have any questions; we have included our bookkeeper locations below – if you’d like to ask a question, please feel free to use the form below and we’ll be in touch with you soon. Alternatively, have a read of our latest COVID-19 bookkeeping blogs here.

Our Bookkeepers

Justine Day: Southern Highlands / Bowral Bookkeeper
Amanda Graham: Southern Highlands / Bowral Bookkeeper
Petra Austing: Southern Highlands / Bowral Bookkeeper
Karin Evans: Gold Coast Bookkeeper
Pru Hall: Wollongong Bookkeeper
Jackie Short: Canberra Bookkeeper