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5.2.1.10 Unemployment & sickness benefit - November 1969 to November 1984

Summary

This topic contains the following 4 tables:

Table number Explanation
1 Unemployment benefit (UB) & sickness benefit (SB) rates - November 1969 to September 1972
2 Higher rate of sickness benefit payable, after 6 consecutive weeks - September 1970 to March 1973
3 Unemployment & sickness benefit rates - March 1973 to November 1978
4 Unemployment & sickness benefit rates - November 1978 to November 1984

Table 1: Unemployment & sickness benefit rates - November 1969 to September 1972

This table shows the rates in dollars per week.

Amending Act Date of effect 16 to 17 years 18 to 20 years 21 years Married RA
Nov 1969 27/09/1969 4.50 6.00 10.00 17.00 -
Sep 1970 28/09/1970 4.50 6.00 10.00 17.00 2.00
Sep 1971 29/09/1971 4.50 6.00 10.00 18.00 2.00
Feb 1972 25/02/1972 7.50 11.00 17.00 25.00 2.00
Sep 1972 27/09/1972 7.50 11.00 17.00 25.00 4.00

Notes for Table 1

Note Explanation
A The rate for persons 21 years and over was also payable to persons under 21 years with no parent living in Australia (1.1.A.320) until 16 March 1973 when the full adult rate became payable.
B Married rates prior to 16 March 1973 comprise the single rate plus an allowance for a dependent partner. From that date the allowance for a dependent partner was abolished and a married rate of unemployment benefit was introduced.

Table 2: Higher rate of sickness benefit payable, after 6 consecutive weeks - September 1970 to March 1973

This table shows the rates in dollars per week.

Date Single 16 to 20 Single 21 & over Married
28/09/1970 10.00 15.50 22.50
01/04/1971 10.50 16.00 23.00
29/09/1971 11.25 17.25 25.25
24/04/1972 12.00 18.25 26.25
27/09/1972 13.00 20.00 28.00

Notes for Table 2

Note Explanation
AAA Between 28 September 1970 and 15 March 1973 a higher rate of sickness benefit was payable after benefit had been paid for 6 consecutive weeks, except in cases where the recipient was in hospital and had no dependants.
BBB In March 1973, this rate of sickness benefit was abolished in conjunction with a general increase in sickness benefit rates.

Table 3: Unemployment & sickness benefit rates March 1973 to November 1978

This table shows the rates in dollars per week.

Date of effect Single UB +SB Married with partner Additional benefit for RA
  Over 18 partner child
Under 18 no child child
16/03/1973 21.50 21.50 21.50 18.75 18.75 4.50 4.00
26/09/1973 23.00 23.00 23.00 20.25 20.25 5.00 4.00
22/03/1974 26.00 26.00 26.00 22.75 22.75 5.00 4.00
31/07/1974 31.00 31.00 31.00 25.75 25.75 5.00 4.00
01/11/1974 31.00 31.00 31.00 25.75 25.75 5.00 5.00 Note AA
19/05/1975 36.00 36.00 36.00 30.00 30.00 7.00 Note BB 5.00
01/11/1975 36.00 Note CC 38.75 38.75 32.25 32.25 7.50 5.00
03/05/1976 36.00 41.25 41.25 34.25 34.25 7.50 5.00
01/11/1976 36.00 43.50 43.50 36.25 36.25 7.50 5.00
02/05/1977 36.00 47.10 47.10 39.25 39.25 7.50 5.00
01/11/1977 36.00 49.30 49.30 41.10 41.10 7.50 5.00
01/05/1978 36.00 51.45 51.45 42.90 42.90 7.50 5.00

Notes for Table 3

Note Explanation
AA From 1 November 1974 the rate of payment cannot exceed the rate of rent (1.1.R.160) paid. Savings provisions (1.1.S.40) apply to cases where the rate of rent paid prior to 1 November 1974 was lower than the rate of RA.
BB Prior to March 1975 additional benefit was payable only in respect of a child under 16 years of age. From 16 March 1975, eligibility for payment extended to children 16 years and over in full-time education.
CC Special rate for single recipients under 18 years commenced 1 November 1975.

Table 4: Unemployment & sickness benefit rates - November 1978 to November 1984

This table shows the rates in dollars per week.

Date of effect U/18
Single
UB+SB		 O/18
Single UB		 Single SB Married with partner Additional benefit for RA
no child with child partner child
01/11/1979 36.00 51.45 57.90 57.90 48.25 48.25 7.50 5.00
01/05/1980 36.00 51.45 61.05 61.05 50.85 50.85 7.50 5.00
01/11/1980 36.00 53.45 64.10 64.10 53.40 53.40 10.00 5.00
07/05/1981 36.00 53.45 66.65 66.65 55.55 55.55 10.00 5.00
05/11/1981 36.00 58.10 69.70 69.70 58.10 58.10 10.00 5.00 Note F
06/05/1982 36.00 58.10 74.15 74.15 61.80 61.80 10.00 8.00
01/11/1982 40.00 64.40 77.25 77.25 64.40 64.40 10.00 10.00
01/05/1983 40.00 68.65 82.35 82.35 68.65 68.65 10.00 10.00
01/11/1983 45.00 73.60 85.90 85.90 71.60 71.60 12.00 10.00
01/05/1984 Note G 45.00 78.60 89.40 89.40 74.55 Note H 74.55 12.00 10.00
01/08/1984 Note I                

Notes for Table 4

Note Explanation
D Special rate for single unemployment benefit without dependants commenced 1 November 1978. Separated (but not divorced) unemployment benefit recipient paid at single or separated sickness benefit rate.
E From 26 October 1978 eligibility for additional benefit withdrawn for student aged 25 years and over.
F Rates and eligibility changed February 1982.
G Eligibility for mother's or guardian's (1.1.G.80) allowance was extended to unemployment, sickness and SpB recipients from 1 May 1984. The allowance is not paid for each child, i.e. it is the same rate, regardless of the number of children.
H From 1 May 1984 persons whose usual place of residence is within specified areas of Tax Zone A are eligible for RAA in addition to their benefit. No income test applies.
I Prior to 1 August 1984 where partner was a pension recipient, the benefit recipient's maximum rate was calculated by deducting the weekly rate of pension payable to the partner from the combined married rate of benefit.

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