JobSeeker supplement extended to end of March but at a lower rate

The JobSeeker supplement payment has been extended to the end of March 2021 but it will reduce from $815 a fortnight to $715 a fortnight from December.

The JobKeeper Payment will continue to be paid to eligible businesses (including the self-employed) and not-for-profits until 28 March 2021.

The Government added a coronavirus supplement onto the JobSeeker payment at the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

“Today’s announcement, to gear through changes to the JobSeeker payment as we are doing at the same time with JobKeeper, will see more and more businesses and Australians graduate from the economic supports that were so essential over these many months,” Prime Minister Morrison said.

The coronavirus supplement is also paid to people on parenting payments and eight other income support payments, including Youth Allowance and Farm Household Allowance.

The JobSeeker payment replaced the former Newstart unemployment benefit.

Having faced years of criticism for the pre-pandemic rate of about $40 a day, the Government is yet to announce a new permanent rate for JobSeeker.

The NSW Government has extended the COVID-19 rental moratorium measures to 26 March 2021.

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