Work Bonus

All pensioners over age-pension age (other than recipients of Parenting Payment Single) are eligible for the Work Bonus.

A transitional rate of pension protects the entitlements of pensioners who received a payment reduction as a result of the Pension Reform changes that came into effect on 19 September 2009.

The transitional rate of pension is calculated using the old pension-income-test rules. The Work Bonus is not included in this transitional rate calculation.

If you are on a transitional rate of pension, we will continue to compare your rate with the amount you would receive if you were not on the transitional-rate, including the effect of the Work Bonus.

Once the new rate of pension gives you a rate equal to or higher than the transitional rate, it will be used to calculate your pension.

If you are thinking of taking up work, you should talk to us about how this might affect your transitional rate.

For more information on transitional rates of pension, call the Older Australians line, on 132 300, or visit your nearest DHS Service Centre.

If your partner is a pensioner of age-pension age and receives employment income, the Work Bonus will reduce his or her assessable employment income.

For each member of a couple, we will assess employment income and apply the Work Bonus. Any other income is assessed as usual and will affect each member of the couple equally under the income test.

If you are eligible for the Work Bonus but your partner is not, he or she may still benefit from the effect of your Work Bonus.

The Work Bonus applies to income from employment, including wages paid in Australia and outside Australia.

The Work Bonus applies to income from employment, including:

• wages paid in Australia and outside Australia
• leave, where you remain an employee of the same employer and
• director’s fees

We will apply the Work Bonus to your assessable employment income before your pension is paid each fortnight.

The Work Bonus is not applied to income from:

• leave payments if you have terminated your employment
• self-employed income
• payments to you as a principal from sole traders or partnerships
• investments or
• superannuation income

If you do not work, the entire fortnightly Work Bonus amount of $250 is saved and added to your Work Bonus balance. Your Work Bonus balance can reach a maximum of $6,500.

If you earn less than $250 in a fortnight, part of the Work Bonus of $250 will reduce your assessable employment income to zero, and the remaining amount will be added to your Work Bonus balance.

If you earn exactly $250 in a fortnight, the Work Bonus will reduce your assessable employment income to zero, and your Work Bonus balance will not change.

If you earn more than $250 in a fortnight, the Work Bonus will reduce your assessable employment income by $250. Then, any Work Bonus balance you have built up is used to reduce the remaining employment income.

If you qualify for Work Bonus, you may be entitled to other payments and benefits, such as: