The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

4.10.1.50 Historical employment amount (permissible child earnings) - January 1990 to present date

Employment amount (permissible child earnings)

If a child under 16 years is not in full-time education and earns more than the 'employment amount', they are not considered to be a dependent. This employment amount was introduced from 1 January 1990 and is indexed each January.

The following table shows the employment amounts in dollars per week (pw), from January 1990 to present date.

DateMaximum child income ($ pw)
January 1990100.00
January 1991107.70
January 1992111.35
January 1993112.70
January 1994114.85
January 1995116.80
January 1996122.05
January 1997125.85
January 1998126.25
January 1999127.15
January 2000128.55
January 2001132.65
January 2002140.60
January 2003144.55
January 2004148.45
January 2005152.15
January 2006155.95
January 2007162.20
January 2008165.60
January 2009173.05
January 2010175.65
January 2011181.10
January 2012187.60
January 2013189.85
January 2014194.40
January 2015200.25
January 2016203.25
January 2017205.30
January 2018209.20
January 2019213.60
January 2020217.00
January 2021217.00
January 2022224.60
January 2023238.30
January 2024252.60
January 2025262.20

Act reference: SSAct section 5(2) to (3), (6) to (8A)-'dependent child', section 8(1)-'income'

Last reviewed: