48920 (2025). Hon Willie Jackson to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

48920 (2025). Hon Willie Jackson to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What reasoning, if any, was there in choosing $65,529 as the threshold of parental income for eligibility for Jobseeker Support for 18 and 19-year-olds?

Hon Louise Upston: Cabinet agreed to this income limit as it aligns with the gross income cut-out point for a couple with dependent children receiving Supported Living Payment (currently $65,529 per year). This is one of the highest benefit cut-out points in the welfare system and will ensure that young people from very low-income families will still be able to access Jobseeker Support and the equivalent Emergency Benefit. Note: A ‘cut-out point’ refers to the point at which a person’s rate of payment abates to zero because of their income.