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- 1 Key terms & concepts Toggle sub-menu - 1.1 Definition of crucial terms
- 1.2 Descriptions of payments/benefits Toggle sub-menu - 1.2.1 Jobseeker payment & youth allowance - description Toggle sub-menu - 1.2.1.05 Jobseeker payment (JSP) - description
- 1.2.1.10 Newstart allowance (NSA) - description
- 1.2.1.20 Youth allowance (YA) - description

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- 1 Key terms & principles
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- 1.2.1 Jobseeker payment & youth allowance - description
- 1.2.1.05 Jobseeker payment (JSP) - description

The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist choice makers administering social policy law. The details contained in this publication is intended just as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The details is accurate as at the date noted at the bottom of the page, but may go through change. To talk about specific circumstances please contact Services Australia.

1.2.1.05 Jobseeker payment (JSP) - description

What is JSP?

JSP is the working age payment that replaced NSA from 20 March 2020.

JSP is an earnings support payment that offers financial support to individuals aged 22 years to age pension age who have capacity to work now or in the future and prepared to fulfill shared obligation requirements.

JSP will include gain access to for people who have actually briefly stopped working or studying to recover from an illness or injury but who work or study to go back to. When the incapacity ends, and unless exempted from shared responsibilities requirements (3.11.5), a recipient need to:

- take part in or employment want to take part in approved activities, and/or task search, and
- be prepared to participate in, comply with or differ an existing Job Plan to satisfy the shared commitment requirements (3.11 ).

How is JSP entitlement determined?

JSP is calculated on an everyday basis and is paid in defaults, typically in instalments of 2 week. Instalment periods of less than 2 week may be paid where an individual changes their payday plans.

Policy recommendation: SS Guide 8.4 Payment methods

Supplementary assistance

Recipients getting JSP MAY likewise receive several of the following as part of their JSP rate:

- rent support (1.2.7.10).
- energy supplement (1.2.7.50).
- pharmaceutical allowance (1.2.7.20).
- remote area allowance (1.2.7.80).
- approved program of work supplement (1.2.7.180).

They MAY also be entitled to the following while in receipt of JSP:

- telephone allowance (1.2.7.70).
HCC (1.2.8.10) or PCC (1.2.8.20).
LLNS (1.2.7.110) if carrying out training through the Skills for Education and Employment Program.

Bereavement payment arrangements

Following the death of a partner, the making it through member of a couple might be eligible for bereavement payments or a one-off partner bereavement payment

Act referral: SSAct section 660LA Ongoing payment for death of partner, section 660LH One-off payment for death of partner

Policy referral: SS Guide 3.1.5 Bereavement payment provisions

Background to JSP

JSP was introduced on 20 March 2020. The following payments progressively stopped as part of the production of JSP:

- NSA (1.2.1.10) (ceased on 20 March 2020).
SA (1.2.5.30) (near to new recipients on 20 March 2020 and ceased on 20 September 2020).
BVA (near to brand-new receivers on 20 March 2020 and stopped when all existing receivers finished their bereavement duration).
WA (1.2.3.30) (near to new recipients on 1 July 2018 and ceased on 1 January 2022).
WP (1.2.3.20) (near to new receivers on 1 July 1995 stopped on 20 March 2020).
PA (1.2.2.10) (closed to brand-new receivers on 20 September 2003 ceased on 1 January 2022).
WidB (1.2.3.40) (near brand-new receivers on 20 March 1997 stopped on 20 March 2020).

Last evaluated: 20 September 2022

The Australian Government acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, water, culture and neighborhood. We pay our aspects to the Elders both previous and present.