From 20 September 2025, thousands of Australians receiving the JobSeeker Payment will find a small but meaningful increase in their fortnightly income. Payments have been boosted as part of the governmentâs regular indexation update, which happens twice a year in March and September. The aim is to ensure people relying on JobSeeker do not fall further behind as the cost of living keeps rising. While the increase is modest, for many households an extra few dollars in their budget can provide critical support for essentials like groceries, bills, and transport.
What Is the JobSeeker Payment?
The JobSeeker Payment is one of the main welfare support programs run through Centrelink in Australia. It provides income assistance to individuals who are:
- Unemployed and actively looking for work
- Working limited hours but unable to secure a full-time job
- Taking part in training, volunteering, or approved study programs
- Over 55 and long-term unemployed
- Principal carers of a dependent child under certain rules
JobSeeker is not a permanent income. Rather, it is designed as a safety net while people re-enter the workforce or balance job hunting with other obligations. Applicants must meet strict income and asset tests, meaning the payment is adjusted depending on earnings or financial resources.
How Much Is the Increase in September 2025?
From 20 September, JobSeeker rates are rising by about $12.50 per fortnight for most recipients. In some categories, the increase is slightly higher.
Here is the new breakdown:
| Family Situation | Old Rate (per fortnight) | New Rate (per fortnight) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | $781.10 | $793.60 | $12.50 |
| Single with children | $836.50 | $849.90 | $13.40 |
| Single, 55+ after 9 months | $836.50 | $849.90 | $13.40 |
| Single, partial capacity to work | $836.50 | $849.90 | $13.40 |
| Couple (each) | $715.10 | $726.50 | $11.40 |
| Single principal carer of child | $1,011.50 | $1,027.70 | $16.20 |
These rates apply to the base JobSeeker payment only. Recipients may also get additional supplements such as Rent Assistance, Pharmaceutical Allowance, or Energy Supplement, which are calculated separately.
Why Does JobSeeker Change Every September and March?
JobSeeker, like other Centrelink payments, is adjusted twice a year through indexation. This process ensures payments rise in step with inflation and wage movements, so that support payments do not lose real value over time. While the increases may appear small, they are essential for keeping up with the rising cost of essentials such as groceries, fuel, and electricity.
Without indexation, the gap between living costs and welfare payments would widen to unsustainable levels. In September 2025, inflation remains above average, which is why the update is particularly meaningful.
Do You Need to Apply for the Increase?
No. One of the key benefits of these biannual adjustments is that all eligible recipients receive the increase automatically. If you already receive JobSeeker, the new payment rate will be deposited into your bank account after 20 September 2025, without any extra paperwork.
For example:
- If your regular payday is 22 September, you will receive the new higher rate deposited.
- If your payday falls on 18 September, you will notice the increase from your next cycle in early October.
This ensures payments update smoothly without requiring reapplications.
Who Qualifies for JobSeeker Payments?
To be eligible for JobSeeker you must:
- Be aged 22 or older but still under the Age Pension age of 67
- Live in Australia and meet residency requirements as a citizen or permanent resident
- Pass an income and assets test set by Services Australia
- Remain engaged with mutual obligation activities, such as:
- Applying for jobs
- Participating in study or training programs
- Volunteering, if approved
- Attending regular appointments with Centrelink or an employment provider
Special rules apply for single parents, people with a partial work capacity, and older Australians aged 55 or more who have been unemployed for nine months or longer. These groups often qualify for slightly higher payment rates or modified requirements.
How to Apply for JobSeeker if Youâre New
If you are not yet on the JobSeeker Payment but believe you qualify, you need to apply through Centrelink. The steps are straightforward but require documentation:
- Create or log in to a myGov account linked with Centrelink.
- Select JobSeeker Payment and begin an online claim.
- Provide details about your income, assets, and living situation.
- Upload necessary documents such as ID, banking details, and proof of circumstances.
- Accept a Job Plan, which outlines your required mutual obligation activities.
- Once assessed and approved, payments begin and include the September indexed rate.
Why This Increase Matters
On paper, an increase of around $12.50 per fortnight may seem modest. But for Australians living week to week on limited payments, every additional dollar counts. Small indexed adjustments are particularly valuable for:
- Single parents balancing work, childcare, and education.
- Older Australians over 55, who often face longer periods of unemployment.
- People with limited work capacity, dealing with health or disability barriers.
- Young Australians transitioning from study into the workforce.
Rising housing and energy bills have been among the biggest pressures in 2025, and these modest increases help cover the basics until stronger income support reforms are considered.
Key Takeaways
- JobSeeker Payment rates officially increased from 20 September 2025.
- Increases range between $11.40 and $16.20 per fortnight, depending on circumstances.
- There is no need to reapply if you already receive JobSeeker. Payments update automatically.
- Eligibility includes being between 22 and Age Pension age, living in Australia, and meeting mutual obligations.
- Applications for new recipients can be made online through myGov linked to Centrelink.
Conclusion
The September 2025 JobSeeker Payment increase offers small but meaningful relief in line with inflation. For recipients, this equates to more predictable support in managing rising grocery prices, rent, and transport expenses. While it is not a large jump, the indexation process ensures payments keep pace with real-world costs rather than falling behind.
Australians relying on JobSeeker are reminded to regularly check their myGov account or the Centrelink mobile app for payment details and eligibility updates. With these changes, people relying on income support can count on at least a modest boost to their budget, giving them more confidence as they search for work and manage day-to-day living costs.