To qualify for Jobseeker Support, you (and your partner, if you have one) must be 18 or older and must be in one of the following situations:
you’re not in full-time work, but you’re available for and looking for it (the “work test”), or
you’re not in full-time work and your capacity to work is limited by sickness, injury or disability, or
you have a job but, because of sickness or injury, you’re not currently working or are working at a reduced level.
Your income must also be less than the amount that would reduce your benefit to zero under the benefit “abatement” rules. For example, if you’re a single person with no children you can earn up to $160 (before tax) a week, and after that your benefit is reduced (“abated”) by 70 cents for every dollar you earn over $160 a week, see “Benefit rates: How much you’ll get, and how much you can earn”) in this chapter.
Note: If you’re 18 or 19 and are a parent, you’ll be eligible for the Young Parent Payment, not Jobseeker Support (see “Teenage parents (Young Parent Payment)” in this section). When you turn 20, you’ll be eligible for Jobseeker Support (if you have a partner) or Sole Parent Support (if you’re single).