5.2.1.20 Single unemployment & sickness benefit - November 1984 to present date

Summary

These rates also applied to JSP, NSA, SA, WA as they were introduced or replaced former payments.

This topic contains the following 6 rates tables:

Table Number	Explanation
1	Over 18 years single sickness benefit (SB) - November 1984 to December 1987
2	18 to 20 years single unemployment benefit (UB) - November 1985 to September 1990 (& SB - December 1987 to September 1990)
3	18 to 20 years single UB & SB (from 1991 job search allowance (JSA)/NSA/SA & SpB) September 1990 to present date
4	Over 21 years single UB - November 1985 to June 1987
5	Over 21 years single UB & SB (from 1991 JSA/NSA/SA & SpB) - December 1987 to present date
6	Any age single with child UB & SB - November 1984 to present date

Table 1: Over 18 years single sickness benefit (SB) - November 1984 to December 1987

This table shows the rates in dollars per week.

Date	Rate ($ pw)
01/11/1984	91.90
01/05/1985	94.30
01/11/1985	97.90
01/05/1986	102.10
01/11/1986	102.10
15/12/1986	106.20
01/01/1987	106.20 Note A
13/06/1987	106.20 Note A
13/12/1987	106.20 Note B

Notes for Table 1

Note	Explanation
A	The single rate of sickness benefit for recipients without dependants was not increased. The amount payable remained at the 15 December 1986 rate as a result of the decision to standardise the single unemployment and sickness benefit rates from 13 December 1987 (that is, instalments falling due on or after that date).
B	The rate of unemployment and sickness benefit for single persons over 18 years was standardised from 13 December 1987. Single sickness benefit recipients granted prior to 13 December 1987 are 'saved' at $106.20 until such time they become eligible to a higher rate, by virtue of turning 21 years. Similarly if eligibility is broken after 13 December 1987 the lower rate is then paid.

Table 2: 18 to 20 years single unemployment benefit (UB) - November 1985 to September 1990 (& SB - December 1987 to September 1990)

This table shows the rates in dollars per week.

Date	Rate ($ pw)
01/11/1985	88.20 Note C
01/05/1986	88.20
01/11/1986	88.20
15/12/1986	88.20
01/01/1987	91.20
13/06/1987	91.20
13/12/1987	91.20 Note D
13/06/1988	91.20
01/01/1989	97.70 Note E
01/01/1990	105.15 Note F

Notes for Table 2

Note	Explanation
C	A separate rate of benefit for unmarried unemployment benefit recipients aged between 18 and 20 years, with no children, was introduced from 1 November 1985.
D	The rate of unemployment and sickness benefit for single persons over 18 years was standardised from 13 December 1987. Single sickness benefit recipients granted prior to 13 December 1987 were 'saved' at $106.20 until they turned 21.
E	From 1 January 1989, the rates of unemployment, sickness and SpB for those under 18 years, and 18 to 20 years without dependent children, are to be indexed annually.
F	From 20 September 1990 an 'at home' rate for 18 to 20 years was introduced. The higher 18 to 20 year old rate continued to be paid to those who do not live at a home of a parent/s. See Table 3.

Table 3: 18 to 20 years single UB & SB (from 1991 job search allowance (JSA)/NSA/SA & SpB) September 1990 to present date

This table shows the rates in dollars per week. From 1 January 2020, rates are in dollars per fortnight.

Date	Away from home ($ pw)	At home ($ pw)
20/09/1990	105.15	69.20
01/01/1991	113.25	74.55
From 1 July 1991 UB & SB became JSA/NSA/SA & SpB
01/01/1992	117.10	77.10
01/01/1993	118.50	78.05
01/01/1994	120.75	79.55
01/01/1995	122.80	80.90
01/01/1996	128.35	84.55
01/01/1997	132.35	87.15
01/01/1998	132.75	87.40 Note G
01/01/1999	133.70	88.00
01/01/2000	135.10	88.95
01/07/2000	140.55	92.50
01/01/2001	145.05	95.45
01/01/2002	150.85	99.30
01/01/2003	155.05	102.10
01/01/2004	159.25	104.85
01/01/2005	163.25	107.45
01/01/2006	167.35	110.15
01/01/2007	174.05	114.55
01/01/2008	177.70	116.95
01/01/2009	185.70	122.20
01/01/2010	188.50	124.05
01/01/2011	194.35	127.90
01/01/2012	201.35	132.50 Note H
01/01/2013	203.75	134.10
01/01/2014	207.00	136.40
01/01/2015	213.40	140.50
01/01/2016	216.60	142.60
01/01/2017	218.75	144.05
01/01/2018	222.90	146.80
01/01/2019	227.60	149.90
Date	Away from home ($ pf)	At home ($ pf)
01/01/2020	462.50	304.60
01/04/2021	512.50	354.60 Note I
01/01/2022	530.40	367.00
01/01/2023	562.80	389.40
20/09/2023	602.80	429.40 Note IA
01/01/2024	639.00	455.20

Notes for Table 3

Note	Explanation
G	From 1 July 1998, NSA and SA for recipients aged under 21 and AUSTUDY for students under 24 were replaced by YA.
H	From 1 July 2012, the maximum age for YA was increased to 21.
I	On 1 April 2021, the MBRs of working age payments increased by $50.00 per fortnight. This was given effect by the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Income Support) Act 2021.
IA	On 20 September 2023, the maximum basic rates of working age and student payments increased by $40.00 per fortnight. Indexation of relevant payments on 20 September 2023 was applied on top of the increase to maximum basic rates. This was given effect by the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Safety Net) Act 2023.

Policy reference: SS Guide 5.2.1.50 Youth related payments - July 1986 to present date, see Table 4

Table 4: Over 21 years single UB - November 1985 to June 1987

This table shows the rates in dollars per week.

Date	Rate ($ pw)
01/11/1985	91.45
01/05/1986	95.40
01/11/1986	95.40
15/12/1986	99.20
01/01/1987	99.20
13/06/1987	104.75

Table 5: Over 21 years single UB & SB (from 1991 JSA/NSA/SA & SpB) (from 20 March 2020 JSP) - December 1987 to present date

This table shows the rates in dollars per week.

Date	Rate ($ pw)
13/12/1987	108.40
13/06/1988	112.10
13/12/1988	116.00
13/06/1989	120.65
15/11/1989	124.75
18/04/1990	130.00
20/09/1990	134.30
From 1 July 1991 UB & SB became JSA/NSA/SA & SpB
20/09/1991	138.85
20/03/1992	140.95
20/09/1992	140.95
20/03/1993	141.35
20/09/1993	143.20
20/03/1994	147.05
20/09/1994	148.65
20/03/1995	150.75
20/09/1995	155.25
20/03/1996	158.35
20/09/1996	160.10
20/03/1997	160.75
20/09/1997	160.75
20/03/1998	160.75
20/09/1998	161.70
20/03/1999	162.85
20/09/1999	163.35
20/03/2000	165.80
01/07/2000	172.45
20/09/2000	175.40
20/03/2001	178.90
20/09/2001	182.30
20/03/2002	184.50
20/09/2002	187.45
20/03/2003	190.05
20/09/2003	192.50
20/03/2004	194.60
20/09/2004	197.30
20/03/2005	199.65
20/09/2005	202.25
20/03/2006	205.30
20/09/2006	210.45
20/03/2007	212.15
20/09/2007	214.90
20/03/2008	218.55
20/09/2008	224.65
20/03/2009	226.65
20/09/2009	228.00
20/03/2010	231.40
20/09/2010	234.85
20/03/2011	237.45
20/09/2011	243.40
20/03/2012	244.85 Note J
20/09/2012	246.30
20/03/2013	248.50 Note K
20/09/2013	250.50
20/03/2014	255.25
20/09/2014	257.80
20/03/2015	259.60
20/09/2015	261.70
20/03/2016	263.80
20/09/2016	264.35
20/03/2017	267.80
20/09/2017	269.40
20/03/2018	272.90
20/09/2018	275.10
20/03/2019	277.85
20/09/2019	279.50
Date	Rate ($ pf) From 20 March 2020, rates are in dollars per fortnight.
20/03/2020	565.70 Note L
20/09/2020	565.70 Note M
20/03/2021	570.80
01/04/2021	620.80 Note N
20/09/2021	629.50
20/03/2022	642.70
20/09/2022	668.40
20/03/2023	693.10
20/09/2023	749.20 Note NA
20/03/2024	762.70
20/09/2024	778.00

Notes for Table 5

Note	Explanation
J	From 1 July 2012, the minimum age for NSA and SA was increased to 22, except for grandfathered NSA recipients.
K	From 20 March 2013 an amount of ES may be payable in addition to this rate (5.1.10.20).
L	On 20 March 2020 NSA ceased and JSP (1.2.1.05) was created. SA closed to new entrants on 20 March 2020 and ceased on 20 September 2020.
M	The rate for single recipients was not increased as CPI for the relevant indexation period was negative.
N	On 1 April 2021, the MBRs of working age payments increased by $50.00 per fortnight. This was given effect by the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Income Support) Act.
NA	On 20 September 2023, the maximum basic rates of working age and student payments increased by $40.00 per fortnight. Indexation of relevant payments on 20 September 2023 was applied on top of the increase to maximum basic rates. This was given effect by the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Safety Net) Act.

Table 6: Any age single with child UB & SB - November 1984 to present date

This table shows the rates in dollars per week. From 20 March 2020, rates are in dollars per fortnight.

Date	Rate ($ pw)
01/11/1984	91.90 Note O
01/05/1985	94.30
01/11/1985	97.90
01/05/1986	102.10
01/11/1986	102.10
15/12/1986	106.20
01/01/1987	106.20
13/06/1987	112.15
13/12/1987	116.20
13/06/1988	120.05
13/12/1988	124.25
13/06/1989	129.20
15/11/1989	133.60
18/04/1990	141.20
20/09/1990	145.85
From 1 July 1991 UB & SB became JSA/NSA/SA & SpB
20/03/1991	150.80
20/03/1992	153.05
20/09/1992	153.05
28/01/1993	156.05
20/09/1993	158.10
20/03/1994	159.05
20/09/1994	160.80
20/03/1995	163.05
20/09/1995	167.95
20/03/1996	171.30
20/09/1996	173.20
20/03/1997	173.90
20/09/1997	173.90
20/03/1998	173.90
20/09/1998	174.95
20/03/1999	176.15
20/09/1999	176.70
20/03/2000	179.35
01/07/2000	186.50
20/09/2000	189.65
20/03/2001	193.45
20/09/2001	197.15
20/03/2002	199.50
20/09/2002	202.70
20/03/2003	205.55
20/09/2003	208.20
20/03/2004	210.50
20/09/2004	213.45
20/03/2005	216.00
20/09/2005	218.80
20/03/2006	222.10
20/09/2006	227.65
20/03/2007	229.45
20/09/2007	232.45
20/03/2008	236.40
20/09/2008	243.00
20/03/2009	245.20
20/09/2009	246.65
20/03/2010	250.35
20/09/2010	254.10
20/03/2011	256.90
20/09/2011	263.30
20/03/2012	264.90
20/09/2012	266.50
20/03/2013	268.90 Note P
20/09/2013	271.05
20/03/2014	276.20
20/09/2014	278.95
20/03/2015	280.90
20/09/2015	283.15
20/03/2016	285.40
20/09/2016	285.95
20/03/2017	289.65
20/09/2017	291.40
20/03/2018	295.20
20/09/2018	297.55
20/03/2019	300.55
20/09/2019	302.35
Date	Rate ($ pf) From 20 March 2020, rates are in dollars per fortnight.
20/03/2020	612.00 Note Q
20/09/2020	612.00 Note R
20/03/2021	617.50
01/04/2021	667.50 Note S
20/09/2021	676.80
20/03/2022	691.00
20/09/2022	718.60
20/03/2023	745.20
20/09/2023	802.50 Note T
20/03/2024	816.90
20/09/2024	833.20

Notes for Table 6

Note	Explanation
O	These rates do not include additional benefit for child or Mother's/Guardian Allowance.
P	An amount of ES may be payable in addition to this rate (5.1.10.20).
Q	On 20 March 2020 NSA ceased and JSP was created. SA closed to new entrants on 20 March 2020 and ceased on 20 September 2020.
R	The rate for single recipients with a dependent child was not increased as CPI for the relevant indexation period was negative.
S	On 1 April 2021, the MBRs of working age payments increased by $50.00 per fortnight. This was given effect by the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Income Support) Act.
T	On 20 September 2023, the maximum basic rates of working age and student payments increased by $40.00 per fortnight. Indexation of relevant payments on 20 September 2023 was applied on top of the increase to maximum basic rates. This was given effect by the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Safety Net) Act.

Policy reference: SS Guide 5.2.1.40 Additional benefit for child, mother's & guardian's allowance & RA - November 1984 to March 2018