If you move and it reduces your chances of finding work, you may need to serve a non-payment period of 26 weeks.
This non-payment period can apply if you move when getting, or in the 26 weeks before claiming, one of these payments:
- Newstart Allowance
- Youth Allowance, or
- Special Benefit as a nominated visa holder
To decide, we compare factors at your old and new addresses, including:
- size of labour markets, and
- unemployment rates
We’ll let you know when you claim or update your address if you’ll have a non-payment period. If you’re thinking of moving and want to know how it may affect your payment, contact us.
You may not have the non-payment period applied if:
- your old and new addresses are in the same town and postcode
- you’re moving to, or within 90 minutes travel from:
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
- Perth
- Adelaide
- your new home is within:
- 90 minutes travel from your original home, or
- 60 minutes travel if you’re the principal carer of a child or have a partial capacity to work
- you provide proof of better job prospects, such as a job offer, vacancy data or skills in need in your new area
- you have a good reason for moving, such as:
- to accept or start an offer of suitable employment
- to live with an immediate family member who already lives there
- you get Youth Allowance and move to live with your parents
- to treat or ease a physical disease or illness and you have medical evidence
- you were in an extreme or life threatening situation, such as family and domestic violence
- you’ve been homeless and have been offered stable long-term housing in the new area
If you return to your original residence or move again to an area that improves your job prospects this may cancel the remaining non-payment period.