Moving to an area of lower employment prospects

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.