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- 1.2.1.10 Newstart allowance (NSA) - description
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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 developed to help decision makers administering social policy law. The information included in this publication is intended just as a guide to pertinent legislation/policy. The details is precise as at the date noted at the bottom of the page, however might be subject to change. To discuss private circumstances please contact Services Australia.

1.2.1.05 Jobseeker payment (JSP) - description

What is JSP?

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

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

JSP will include gain access to for people who have temporarily stopped working or studying to recover from a health problem or injury however who work or research study to return to. When the inability ends, and unless excused from shared commitments requirements (3.11.5), a recipient need to:

- participate in or be willing to get involved in authorized activities, and/or job search, and
- be prepared to enter into, adhere to or differ an existing Job Plan to fulfil the mutual responsibility requirements (3.11 ).

How is JSP entitlement identified?

JSP is determined on an everyday basis and is paid in arrears, usually in instalments of 2 week. Instalment periods of less than 2 week may be paid where a person modifications their payday arrangements.

Policy referral: employment SS Guide 8.4 Payment techniques

Supplementary help

Recipients receiving JSP MAY also 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 invoice 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 undertaking 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 may be qualified for bereavement payments or a one-off partner bereavement payment

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

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.5 Bereavement payment arrangements

Background to JSP

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

- NSA (1.2.1.10) (ceased on 20 March 2020).
SA (1.2.5.30) (closed 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 recipients finished their bereavement duration).
WA (1.2.3.30) (closed to brand-new recipients on 1 July 2018 and ceased on 1 January 2022).
WP (1.2.3.20) (closed to new recipients on 1 July 1995 stopped on 20 March 2020).
PA (1.2.2.10) (near brand-new recipients on 20 September 2003 ceased on 1 January 2022).
WidB (1.2.3.40) (near brand-new recipients 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 community. We pay our aspects to the Elders both past and present.