LABOUR MARKET



Labour Marketand Related Paymentsa monthly profileNote: The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) produces the official unemployment statistics. The figures contained in this publication are different from the ABS unemployment figures as the ABS and the Department Social Services (DSS) use different definitions to identify the unemployed and different methods of counting (see the Appendix for more information).This publication can be found on the Department of Social Services website at DSS - Labour Market and Related Payments Publication ().February 2020Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Introduction PAGEREF _Toc493760078 \h 2Statistical Highlights PAGEREF _Toc493760079 \h 3 Table 1 - Labour Market Payments - Time Series PAGEREF _Toc493760081 \h 4Table 2 - Newstart Allowees - Derivation of the Job Seeker Population PAGEREF _Toc493760083 \h 5Table 3 - Youth Allowees (Other) - Derivation of the Job Seeker Population PAGEREF _Toc493760084 \h 6Table 4 - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) Time Series PAGEREF _Toc493760085 \h 7Table 5 - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By State PAGEREF _Toc493760086 \h 8Table 6 - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Age and Gender PAGEREF _Toc493760087 \h 9Table 7a-i –Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Statistical Area Level 3 (SA3) PAGEREF _Toc493760088 \h 10Table 8a - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance Fortnightly Earnings and Gender PAGEREF _Toc493760097 \h 20Table 8b - Job Seekers Receiving Youth Allowance (Other) Fortnightly Earnings and Gender PAGEREF _Toc493760098 \h 21Explanatory Notes PAGEREF _Toc493760099 \h 22Glossary PAGEREF _Toc493760104 \h 28Appendix PAGEREF _Toc493760129 \h 31Comparisons Between DSS Unemployment Labour Market Payment Numbers And ABS Labour Force Unemployment Statistics PAGEREF _Toc493760130 \h 31Other recipient information PAGEREF _Toc493760146 \h 34IntroductionThis publication presents statistical information on a monthly basis for the various types of labour market payments delivered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) on behalf of the Department of Social Services (DSS). This publication was produced previously by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).This publication covers Newstart (NSA) and Youth Allowance (other) (YA(o)) in some detail, and to a lesser extent, Partner Allowance (PA), Widow Allowance (WA), Youth Allowance (Full Time Student)(YA(FTS)) and Youth Allowance (Australian Apprentices) (YA(a)).Table 1 provides information on the total number of NSA and YA recipients. The YA population is broken down into YA(o), YA(FTS) and YA(Australian Apprentices) categories. The total numbers of PA and WA recipients are also provided in this table. Tables 2 and 3 show the derivation of the NSA and YA(o) job seeker populations (see the reference to job seekers in the ‘Comparability of data’ section of the Explanatory Notes). These populations are added together to derive the total number of job seekers.Tables 4 to 8 provide information on the total job seeker population.When using time series figures, it is important to note that changes have occurred over time to the conditions of eligibility for different payments. Details of these changes are provided in the Explanatory Notes.All media inquiries should be directed to the DSS Media Team at media@.au.For more general inquiries regarding further statistical information please refer to the last page of this publication for other contact details.Statistical Highlights – February 2020Between February 2019 and February 2020Total Newstart Allowance (NSA) and Youth Allowance (other) (YA(o)) recipients increased 4.7 per cent overall from 799 093 to 837 041.NSA recipients increased 5.0 per cent from 715 560 to 751 470.YA(o) recipients increased 2.4 per cent from 83 533 to 85 571.The number of job seekers decreased 3.4 per cent overall from 458 216 to 442 500.NSA job seekers decreased 3.6 per cent from 402 552 to 388 200.YA(o) job seekers decreased 2.5 per cent from 55 664 to 54 300.Long-term job seekers decreased 7.3 per cent from 315 349 to 292 222.Short-term job seekers increased 5.2 per cent from 142 867 to 150 278.For comparisons between DSS unemployment labour market payment numbers and ABS labour force unemployment statistics, see Appendix.Figure 1: Line Graph – Newstart and Youth Allowance (other) time seriesTable 1 - Labour Market Payments - Time SeriesMonth/YearNewstart AllowanceLong TermNewstart AllowanceTotalYouth Allowance (Other)Youth Allowance (Full-time Student)Youth Allowance (Australian Apprentice)Partner AllowanceWidow Allowance February 1994472,785977,796.......... February 2018578,876766,60395,597158,2262,3212,34914,489 March 2018581,699769,15594,627175,4072,2402,21813,891 April 2018573,335755,92392,134180,9072,4132,14213,573 May 2018568,160747,32790,193189,0672,5552,07113,209 June 2018568,133745,90290,286192,0452,5251,98512,907 July 2018562,918738,32589,479185,2672,5631,90912,554 August 2018547,305717,45283,871199,4292,5801,79211,949 September 2018541,747709,93581,465201,8692,5901,68011,447 October 2018538,054705,65879,725199,5392,5931,59611,060 November 2018538,609706,42478,746170,6482,3821,52310,622 December 2018554,688728,09586,292138,3082,2881,43510,220 January 2019545,582716,79783,029136,4692,2021,3759,874 February 2019544,407715,56083,533146,4452,1821,3179,527 March 2019542,028713,52982,193165,4982,1651,2439,086 April 2019555,127733,87286,068173,4402,1701,1708,675 May 2019540,957714,95282,172180,0622,1341,1068,274 June 2019539,686712,18481,981184,7102,2401,0487,858 July 2019538,521710,16881,643176,6532,3591,0177,658 August 2019536,659702,41177,856187,1232,2761,0067,553 September 2019539,852704,21877,126188,8852,1689997,491 October 2019538,354704,23575,127188,7302,1379917,463 November 2019542,707709,88574,961168,4742,0439867,409 December 2019560,307733,96981,849139,1911,9719797,356 January 2020573,568755,93184,522136,3651,9699427,139 February 2020564,903751,47085,571148,4652,0378696,757Variation January 2020 - February 2020Number-8,665-4,4611,04912,10068-73-382Per cent-1.5-0.61.28.93.5-7.7-5.4????????Notes:Long-term Allowees have received income support for 12 months or more.February 1994 data is included as it represents a peak in the number of recipients.Table 2 - Newstart Allowees - Derivation of the Job Seeker PopulationNewstart AllowanceFebruary 2020 PersonsFebruary 2020 MalesFebruary 2020 FemalesJanuary 2020Variation January - February NumberVariation January - February per centShort Term Newstart Allowees186,567117,22269,345182,3634,2042.3Did not receive a payment (a)8,0324,3453,6876,3771,65526.0Received a payment178,535112,87765,658175,9862,5491.4Voluntary/part-time work (b)5,4211,4593,9625,801-380-6.6Other activities without job search (c)11,4266,5524,87410,5468808.3Incapacitated (d)21,73912,6549,08522,067-328-1.5Other/temporary exemptions (e)12,9647,4995,46512,8491150.9Short-term NSA job seekers (f)126,98584,71342,272124,7232,2621.8Short-term NSA training/education (g)46,09128,46317,62844,6751,4163.2Long Term Newstart Allowees564,903264,819300,084573,568-8,665-1.5Did not receive a payment (a)16,9246,52510,39913,9332,99121.5Received a payment547,979258,294289,685559,635-11,656-2.1Voluntary/part-time work (b)73,44317,91155,53274,549-1,106-1.5Other activities without job search (c)83,25741,10342,15482,1201,1371.4Incapacitated (d)62,82830,05632,77263,741-913-1.4Other/temporary exemptions (e)67,23631,77535,46166,6036331.0Long-term NSA job seekers (f)261,215137,449123,766272,622-11,407-4.2Long-term NSA training/education (g)265,141134,414130,727267,860-2,719-1.0All Newstart Allowees751,470382,041369,429755,931-4,461-0.6Did not receive a payment (a)24,95610,87014,08620,3104,64622.9Received a payment726,514371,171355,343735,621-9,107-1.2Voluntary/part-time work (b)78,86419,37059,49480,350-1,486-1.8Other activities without job search (c)94,68347,65547,02892,6662,0172.2Incapacitated (d)84,56742,71041,85785,808-1,241-1.4Other/temporary exemptions (e)80,20039,27440,92679,4527480.9All NSA job seekers (f)388,200222,162166,038397,345-9,145-2.3All NSA training/education (g)311,232162,877148,355312,535-1,303-0.4???????Allowees who did not receive a payment due to their own income and/or that of their partner or parents, where applicable. This group is often referred to as zero-paid.Allowees who are not required to seek work because they are undertaking approved full-time voluntary work or a combination of voluntary and part-time work. Allowees who are undertaking one or more other activities (which may include training or education) but not job search. This includes allowees undertaking self-employment development.Allowees who are temporarily ill or incapacitated.Includes allowees who are known not to have participation requirements and allowees participating in Disability Management Services. Allowees who received a payment and generally are required to search for work. These allowees are classified as job seekers and form the basis of the population group in Tables 4 - 7.All allowees who are undertaking training or education which may be in conjunction with job search and/or other activities. This category is a subset of all allowees who received a payment.Notes:Long-term allowees have received income support for 12 months or more.Table 3 - Youth Allowees (Other) - Derivation of the Job Seeker PopulationYouth Allowance (other)February 2020 PersonsFebruary 2020 MalesFebruary 2020 FemalesJanuary 2020Variation January - February NumberVariation January - February per centShort Term Youth Allowees37,73320,72317,01036,7321,0012.7Did not receive a payment (a)893402491833607.2Received a payment36,84020,32116,51935,8999412.6Other activities without job search (b)10,7416,1174,62410,2464954.8Incapacitated (c)1,4236907331,480-57-3.9Other/temporary exemptions (d)1,3836926911,422-39-2.7Short-term YA (other) job seekers (e)23,29312,82210,47122,7515422.4Short-term YA (other) training/education (f)18,28810,2328,05618,1301580.9Long Term Youth Allowees47,83823,27524,56347,790480.1Did not receive a payment (a)1,4235598641,2951289.9Received a payment46,41522,71623,69946,495-80-0.2Other activities without job search (b)9,9775,1284,8499,6323453.6Incapacitated (c)2,5161,0851,4312,555-39-1.5Other/temporary exemptions (d)2,9151,2111,7042,817983.5Long-term YA (other) job seekers (e)31,00715,29215,71531,491-484-1.5Long-term YA (other) training/education (f)28,47014,07814,39228,2991710.6All Youth Allowees85,57143,99841,57384,5221,0491.2Did not receive a payment (a)2,3169611,3552,1281888.8Received a payment83,25543,03740,21882,3948611.0Other activities without job search (b)20,71811,2459,47319,8788404.2Incapacitated (c)3,9391,7752,1644,035-96-2.4Other/temporary exemptions (d)4,2981,9032,3954,239591.4All YA (other) job seekers (e)54,30028,11426,18654,242580.1All YA (other) training/education (f)46,75824,31022,44846,4293290.7???????Allowees who did not receive a payment due to their own income and/or that of their partner or parents, where applicable. This group is often referred to as zero-paid.Allowees who are undertaking one or more other activities (which may include training or education) but not job search. This includes allowees undertaking self-employment development.Allowees who are temporarily ill or incapacitated.Includes allowees who are known not to have participation requirements and allowees participating in Disability Management Services. Allowees who received a payment and generally are required to search for work. These allowees are classified as job seekers and form the basis of the population group in Tables 4 - 7.All allowees who are undertaking training or education which may be in conjunction with job search and/or other activities. This category is a subset of all allowees who received a payment.Notes:Long-term allowees have received income support for 12 months or more.Table 4 - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) Time SeriesMonth/YearShort-termLong-termTotalFebruary 2018155,208349,999505,207March 2018153,083347,281500,364April 2018149,276341,290490,566May 2018146,495337,567484,062June 2018146,049337,064483,113July 2018144,339338,105482,444August 2018137,262317,179454,441September 2018134,476307,116441,592October 2018134,675303,058437,733November 2018133,936299,787433,723December 2018142,492318,641461,133January 2019144,447321,983466,430February 2019142,867315,349458,216March 2019140,745305,974446,719April 2019147,239315,600462,839May 2019142,140300,876443,016June 2019140,017294,597434,614July 2019138,445290,060428,505August 2019129,718278,845408,563September 2019126,312273,452399,764October 2019126,111266,134392,245November 2019125,424261,105386,529December 2019133,167275,457408,624January 2020147,474304,113451,587February 2020150,278292,222442,500Variation January 2020 - February 2020Number2,804-11,891-9,087Per cent1.9-3.9-2.0????Notes:- Long-term job seekers have received income support for 12 months or more.Table 5 - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By StateStateJanuary 2020February 2020Variation NumberVariation Per centShort-Term Job SeekersNew South Wales39,67541,1261,4513.7Victoria30,49430,8933991.3Queensland38,05439,0631,0092.7South Australia11,10511,3302252.0Western Australia18,92218,788-134-0.7Tasmania3,5953,511-84-2.3Northern Territory4,3094,213-96-2.2Australian Capital Territory1,3201,354342.6Australia147,474150,2782,8041.9Long-Term Job SeekersNew South Wales79,20478,119-1,085-1.4Victoria57,28054,424-2,856-5.0Queensland71,60969,408-2,201-3.1South Australia26,21224,764-1,448-5.5Western Australia45,65742,509-3,148-6.9Tasmania9,8239,361-462-4.7Northern Territory11,92511,259-666-5.6Australian Capital Territory2,4032,378-25-1.0Australia304,113292,222-11,891-3.9Total Job seekersNew South Wales118,879119,2453660.3Victoria87,77485,317-2,457-2.8Queensland109,663108,471-1,192-1.1South Australia37,31736,094-1,223-3.3Western Australia64,57961,297-3,282-5.1Tasmania13,41812,872-546-4.1Northern Territory16,23415,472-762-4.7Australian Capital Territory3,7233,73290.2Australia451,587442,500-9,087-2.0?????Notes:Long-term job seekers have received income support for 12 months or more.Table 6 - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Age and GenderAgeShort-term job seekers NumberShort-term job seekers Per CentLong-term job seekers NumbersLong-term job seekers Per CentTotal job seekers NumberTotal job seekers Per CentMalesLess than 18 years1,6681.74700.32,1380.918 - 20 years8,9969.210,2666.719,2627.721 - 24 years12,95213.319,67412.932,62613.025 - 29 years15,36715.821,38214.036,74914.730 - 39 years23,35923.934,00922.357,36822.940 - 49 years17,53818.030,99020.348,52819.450 - 59 years11,99812.323,64615.535,64414.260 years and over5,6575.812,3058.117,9627.2Total97,535100.0152,742100.0250,277100.0FemalesLess than 18 years1,7543.36110.42,3651.218 - 20 years7,40514.010,8257.818,2309.521 - 24 years7,49714.215,54911.123,04612.025 - 29 years6,26411.913,4609.719,72410.330 - 39 years8,23515.627,08819.435,32318.440 - 49 years8,88616.834,00924.442,89522.350 - 59 years8,41916.025,48918.333,90817.660 years and over4,2838.112,4498.916,7328.7Total52,743100.0139,480100.0192,223100.0PersonsLess than 18 years3,4222.31,0810.44,5031.018 - 20 years16,40110.921,0917.237,4928.521 - 24 years20,44913.635,22312.155,67212.625 - 29 years21,63114.434,84211.956,47312.830 - 39 years31,59421.061,09720.992,69120.940 - 49 years26,42417.664,99922.291,42320.750 - 59 years20,41713.649,13516.869,55215.760 years and over9,9406.624,7548.534,6947.8Total150,278100.0292,222100.0442,500100.0???????Notes:Long-term job seekers have received income support for 12 months or more.Table 7a – Australian Capital Territory Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Statistical Area Level 3 (SA3)State by SA3January 2020February 2020Variation%Australian Capital Territory Belconnen1,0491,0631.3%Canberra East4236-14.3%Gungahlin5475744.9%Molonglo5450-7.4%North Canberra624613-1.8%South Canberra193188-2.6%Tuggeranong7908021.5%Urriarra - Namadgi<5<5n/aWeston Creek179177-1.1%Woden Valley228224-1.8%Note: For footnotes see end of table.Table 7b – New South Wales Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By SA3State by SA3Jan 2020Feb 20Var. State by SA3Jan 2020Feb 20Var.%%New South Wales New South Wales continuedAlbury1,6191,553-4.1%Lithgow - Mudgee1,1221,2249.1%Armidale1,1421,1581.4%Liverpool2,1832,053-6.0%Auburn1,1751,135-3.4%Lord Howe Island000.0%Bankstown2,7542,638-4.2%Lower Hunter2,2282,3143.9%Bathurst876830-5.3%Lower Murray393370-5.9%Baulkham Hills5726065.9%Maitland1,5921,537-3.5%Blacktown2,2572,147-4.9%Manly158156-1.3%Blacktown - North8348380.5%Marrickville - Sydenham - Petersham791745-5.8%Blue Mountains9201,0059.2%Merrylands - Guildford2,9192,783-4.7%Blue Mountains - South000.0%Moree - Narrabri1,1061,093-1.2%Botany428412-3.7%Mount Druitt3,0262,855-5.7%Bourke - Cobar - Coonamble1,4511,377-5.1%Newcastle3,8953,772-3.2%Bringelly - Green Valley1,7821,702-4.5%North Sydney - Mosman338332-1.8%Broken Hill and Far West836783-6.3%Orange1,1781,118-5.1%Camden477461-3.4%Parramatta1,5271,446-5.3%Campbelltown (NSW)3,1132,951-5.2%Pennant Hills - Epping199198-0.5%Canada Bay371361-2.7%Penrith2,1482,3459.2%Canterbury1,8881,862-1.4%Pittwater187183-2.1%Carlingford659657-0.3%Port Macquarie1,7641,8545.1%Chatswood - Lane Cove3623691.9%Port Stephens1,5061,445-4.1%Clarence Valley1,4491,5215.0%Queanbeyan5576007.7%Coffs Harbour2,1212,2676.9%Richmond - Windsor57765313.2%Cronulla - Miranda - Caringbah5916428.6%Richmond Valley - Coastal1,9432,0465.3%Dapto - Port Kembla1,5991,499-6.3%Richmond Valley - Hinterland2,3502,5016.4%Dubbo2,4262,310-4.8%Rouse Hill - McGraths Hill1561687.7%Dural - Wisemans Ferry1041051.0%Ryde - Hunters Hill777771-0.8%Eastern Suburbs - North545531-2.6%Shoalhaven2,0722,1945.9%Eastern Suburbs - South871841-3.4%Snowy Mountains3643804.4%Fairfield4,9174,800-2.4%South Coast1,5761,7209.1%Gosford2,9253,0815.3%Southern Highlands36039910.8%Goulburn - Mulwaree6636741.7%St Marys1,1891,2696.7%Great Lakes8128545.2%Strathfield - Burwood - Ashfield1,3051,246-4.5%Griffith - Murrumbidgee (West)962900-6.4%Sutherland - Menai - Heathcote47654013.4%Hawkesbury17620516.5%Sydney Inner City2,4172,265-6.3%Hornsby4634630.0%Tamworth - Gunnedah2,5662,5951.1%Hurstville1,0471,0964.7%Taree - Gloucester1,7821,8805.5%Illawarra Catchment Reserve<5<5n/aTumut - Tumbarumba3513592.3%Inverell - Tenterfield1,4961,5604.3%Tweed Valley2,0102,0924.1%Kempsey - Nambucca1,6501,7697.2%Upper Hunter7797962.2%Kiama - Shellharbour1,3361,319-1.3%Upper Murray exc. Albury789764-3.2%Kogarah - Rockdale1,0861,0890.3%Wagga Wagga1,9341,9450.6%Ku-ring-gai2692721.1%Warringah7437430.0%Lachlan Valley1,6201,580-2.5%Wollondilly3623887.2%Lake Macquarie - East2,1262,2787.1%Wollongong1,9551,874-4.1%Lake Macquarie - West1,4681,5435.1%Wyong3,8724,1036.0%Leichhardt417408-2.2%?Young - Yass5705710.2%Note: For footnotes see end of table.Table 7c – Northern Territory Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By SA3State by SA3January 2020February 2020Variation%Northern Territory Alice Springs4,0293,798-5.7%Barkly962904-6.0%Daly - Tiwi - West Arnhem2,9352,858-2.6%Darwin City681626-8.1%Darwin Suburbs1,4591,377-5.6%East Arnhem2,0771,993-4.0%Katherine2,5392,388-5.9%Litchfield4664670.2%Palmerston1,0771054-2.1%Note: For footnotes see end of table.Table 7d – Queensland Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By SA3State by SA3Jan 2020Feb 20Var. State by SA3Jan 2020Feb 20Var.%%Queensland Queensland continuedBald Hills - Everton Park3563642.2%Ipswich Inner3,2563,3974.3%Beaudesert4114407.1%Jimboomba925892-3.6%Beenleigh1,4171,346-5.0%Kenmore - Brookfield - Moggill246238-3.3%Biloela2682711.1%Loganlea - Carbrook1,4461,344-7.1%Bowen Basin - North587573-2.4%Mackay2,5702,470-3.9%Bribie - Beachmere707664-6.1%Maroochy1,0551,1125.4%Brisbane Inner1,6781,593-5.1%Maryborough1,7301,638-5.3%Brisbane Inner - East5385410.6%Mt Gravatt943925-1.9%Brisbane Inner - North1,1291,047-7.3%Mudgeeraba - Tallebudgera35840212.3%Brisbane Inner - West572548-4.2%Nambour1,0191,0503.0%Broadbeach - Burleigh9141,00610.1%Narangba - Burpengary1,5451,465-5.2%Browns Plains2,3922,271-5.1%Nathan657643-2.1%Buderim7217828.5%Nerang1,2071,3138.8%Bundaberg3,1243,2825.1%Noosa5045274.6%Burnett1,9381,871-3.5%Noosa Hinterland3764037.2%Caboolture2,4492,307-5.8%North Lakes1,3941,370-1.7%Caboolture Hinterland228220-3.5%Nundah611574-6.1%Cairns - North853845-0.9%Ormeau - Oxenford2,1442,2967.1%Cairns - South4,4044,088-7.2%Outback - North1,6491,560-5.4%Caloundra1,3561,4093.9%Outback - South553524-5.2%Capalaba1,000979-2.1%Port Douglas - Daintree414403-2.7%Carindale490478-2.4%Redcliffe1,4481,363-5.9%Centenary2562632.7%Robina68776110.8%Central Highlands (Qld)727679-6.6%Rockhampton3,7103,569-3.8%Charters Towers - Ayr - Ingham1,6671,571-5.8%Rocklea - Acacia Ridge984956-2.8%Chermside1,1501,119-2.7%Sandgate1,047967-7.6%Cleveland - Stradbroke1,2401,195-3.6%Sherwood - Indooroopilly4404430.7%Coolangatta9029808.6%Southport1,5261,6075.3%Darling Downs - East942931-1.2%Springfield - Redbank2,2792,4246.4%Darling Downs (West) - Maranoa1,1601,113-4.1%Springwood - Kingston2,8272,680-5.2%Far North3,0243,004-0.7%Strathpine1,004965-3.9%Forest Lake - Oxley1,9821,956-1.3%Sunnybank758736-2.9%Gladstone2,3462,3861.7%Sunshine Coast Hinterland9721,0225.1%Gold Coast - North1,6001,7509.4%Surfers Paradise7908375.9%Gold Coast Hinterland29933311.4%Tablelands (East) - Kuranda1,5291,429-6.5%Granite Belt9269735.1%The Gap - Enoggera528513-2.8%Gympie - Cooloola1,4391,4551.1%The Hills District626622-0.6%Hervey Bay1,7731,722-2.9%Toowoomba3,2683,4064.2%Holland Park - Yeronga1,3331,319-1.1%Townsville5,7045,408-5.2%Innisfail - Cassowary Coast1,7191,632-5.1%Whitsunday421411-2.4%Ipswich Hinterland1,5731,6303.6%?Wynnum - Manly891856-3.9%Note: For footnotes see end of table.Table 7e - South Australia Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By SA3State by SA3January 2020February 2020Variation%South Australia Adelaide City534492-7.9%Adelaide Hills7517732.9%Barossa540508-5.9%Burnside266259-2.6%Campbelltown (SA)577561-2.8%Charles Sturt2,0321,855-8.7%Eyre Peninsula and South West2,3572,223-5.7%Fleurieu - Kangaroo Island9309330.3%Gawler - Two Wells6676862.8%Holdfast Bay3643763.3%Limestone Coast1,3121,290-1.7%Lower North562545-3.0%Marion1,5541,486-4.4%Mid North1,1031,066-3.4%Mitcham537531-1.1%Murray and Mallee2,3602,318-1.8%Norwood - Payneham - St Peters375346-7.7%Onkaparinga4,1014,029-1.8%Outback - North and East1,7581,721-2.1%Playford4,2104,2571.1%Port Adelaide - East1,4441,341-7.1%Port Adelaide - West1,6911,545-8.6%Prospect - Walkerville266256-3.8%Salisbury4,0493,831-5.4%Tea Tree Gully1,0991,038-5.6%Unley2822871.8%West Torrens901850-5.7%Yorke Peninsula705696-1.3%Note: For footnotes see end of table.Table 7f - Tasmania Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By SA3State by SA3January 2020February 2020Variation%Tasmania Brighton701660-5.8%Burnie - Ulverstone1,3261,278-3.6%Central Highlands (Tas.)304294-3.3%Devonport1,1381,096-3.7%Hobart - North East1,055987-6.4%Hobart - North West1,8811,798-4.4%Hobart - South and West457442-3.3%Hobart Inner916868-5.2%Huon - Bruny Island505470-6.9%Launceston2,5072,379-5.1%Meander Valley - West Tamar465461-0.9%North East1,1631,155-0.7%Sorell - Dodges Ferry323310-4.0%South East Coast1551560.6%West Coast5185210.6%Note: For footnotes see end of table.Table 7g – Victoria Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By SA3State by SA3Jan 2020Feb 20Var. State by SA3Jan 2020Feb 20Var.%%VictoriaVictoria continuedBallarat2,4632,5433.2%Macedon Ranges2232324.0%Banyule1,1851,149-3.0%Manningham - East9085-5.6%Barwon - West164156-4.9%Manningham - West5916001.5%Baw Baw778741-4.8%Maribyrnong1,6621,613-2.9%Bayside495467-5.7%Maroondah1,1731,116-4.9%Bendigo2,3332,3802.0%Maryborough - Pyrenees7577782.8%Boroondara631610-3.3%Melbourne City1,4991,410-5.9%Brimbank4,5974,367-5.0%Melton - Bacchus Marsh3,0022,903-3.3%Brunswick - Coburg1,2441,222-1.8%Mildura1,7051,620-5.0%Campaspe678670-1.2%Moira599561-6.3%Cardinia1,1991,178-1.8%Monash1,1351,116-1.7%Casey - North1,7041,675-1.7%Moreland - North1,1531,092-5.3%Casey - South2,6042,532-2.8%Mornington Peninsula1,5701,495-4.8%Colac - Corangamite614603-1.8%Murray River - Swan Hill857815-4.9%Creswick - Daylesford - Ballan4664843.9%Nillumbik - Kinglake3673741.9%Dandenong2,9872,902-2.8%Port Phillip1,3361,248-6.6%Darebin - North1,6701,611-3.5%Shepparton1,6231,497-7.8%Darebin - South607591-2.6%Stonnington - East1861954.8%Essendon851846-0.6%Stonnington - West4594743.3%Frankston2,2292,126-4.6%Sunbury5615762.7%Geelong3,5623,400-4.5%Surf Coast - Bellarine Peninsula726690-5.0%Gippsland - East1,3141,3402.0%Tullamarine - Broadmeadows4,2394,006-5.5%Gippsland - South West1,016975-4.0%Upper Goulburn Valley906874-3.5%Glen Eira9981,0010.3%Wangaratta - Benalla9179250.9%Glenelg - Southern Grampians7567975.4%Warrnambool877834-4.9%Grampians1,2411,235-0.5%Wellington1,0091,0372.8%Heathcote - Castlemaine - Kyneton659641-2.7%Whitehorse - East3753801.3%Hobsons Bay1,0971,049-4.4%Whitehorse - West676649-4.0%Keilor537531-1.1%Whittlesea - Wallan3,0872,992-3.1%Kingston1,0631,011-4.9%Wodonga - Alpine1,4601,4952.4%Knox1,3871,322-4.7%Wyndham3,7993,685-3.0%Latrobe Valley2,8962,754-4.9%Yarra1,4471,388-4.1%Loddon - Elmore2622786.1%?Yarra Ranges1,4301,387-3.0%Note: For footnotes see end of table.Table 7h - Western Australia Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By SA3State by SA3January 2020February 2020Variation%Western Australia Albany1,5741,423-9.6%Armadale2,8722,673-6.9%Augusta - Margaret River - Busselton1,0631,009-5.1%Bayswater - Bassendean2,1182,003-5.4%Belmont - Victoria Park2,1051,984-5.7%Bunbury2,9832,773-7.0%Canning1,8891,848-2.2%Cockburn2,2572,170-3.9%Cottesloe - Claremont428402-6.1%East Pilbara1,0631,0831.9%Esperance373349-6.4%Fremantle1,1111,056-5.0%Gascoyne610571-6.4%Goldfields1,6151,499-7.2%Gosnells3,7493,591-4.2%Joondalup2,0401,967-3.6%Kalamunda1,0361,007-2.8%Kimberley3,6263,460-4.6%Kwinana1,5031,396-7.1%Mandurah3,1973,045-4.8%Manjimup508474-6.7%Melville1,1121,102-0.9%Mid West2,7272,571-5.7%Mundaring877835-4.8%Perth City1,9961,855-7.1%Rockingham3,4113,271-4.1%Serpentine - Jarrahdale462439-5.0%South Perth679642-5.4%Stirling4,2684,021-5.8%Swan3,8243,585-6.3%Wanneroo4,5794,376-4.4%West Pilbara6576580.2%Wheat Belt - North1,6681,603-3.9%Wheat Belt - South549503-8.4%Note: For footnotes see end of table.Table 7i - Other Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By SA3State by SA3January 2020February 2020Variation%OtherChristmas Island141721.4%Cocos (Keeling) Islands20215.0%Jervis Bay1210-16.7%Norfolk Island1615-6.3%Not recorded15898-38.0%Notes:Statistical Area Level 3 data is derived using the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS 2016) from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. In March 2019, Statistical Area Level 3 boundaries were updated from ASGS 2011 to ASGS 2016.Note: Individuals who live overseas, individuals who are without a valid home address and individuals who only have a postal address cannot be assigned to a locational boundary. These numbers may be represented as ’Not Recorded'. State/territory totals derived from SA3 data will not match state and territory totals reported elsewhere in this publication, due to different statistical geography methodologies.Data in this table are rounded monthly averages. In order to protect individuals' privacy, populations less than 5 for specific Statistical Areas are reported as "<5" and other data that would allow these populations to be derived are reported as not available "na". Table 8a - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance Fortnightly Earnings and Gender, Fortnight Ending 21 February 2020Fortnightly EarningsShort-termLong-termTotalNSANSANSAjob seekersjob seekersjob seekers%%%????MalesDid not earn an income88.486.187Earned an income11.613.913Amount earned >$0 - <$1040.91.31.1 $104 - <$2542.22.92.6 $254+8.59.79.3Total males100100100Job seekers receiving NSA84,762136,379221,141FemalesDid not earn an income79.276.277Earned an income20.823.823Amount earned >$0 - <$1041.41.51.5 $104 - <$2543.543.8 $254+15.918.317.7Total females100100100Job seekers receiving NSA42,326122,876165,202PersonsDid not earn an income85.381.482.7Earned an income14.718.617.3Amount earned >$0 - <$1041.11.41.3 $104 - <$2542.63.43.1 $254+1113.812.9Total100100100Job seekers receiving NSA127,088259,255386,343????Note:- Long-term job seekers have received income support for 12 months or more.- The earnings data in Table 8 is derived using a different methodology from that of the other tables. Table 8 is based on the population of job seekers who are eligible for and entitled to receive Newstart Allowance at the end of the second last week in the month. The data obtained from this table will not be directly comparable with those calculated using monthly averages in other tables.Table 8b - Job Seekers Receiving Youth Allowance (Other) Fortnightly Earnings and Gender, Fortnight Ending 21 February 2020Fortnightly EarningsShort-term Long-termTotalYA(o)YA(o)YA(o)job seekersjob seekersjob seekers%%%????MalesDid not earn an income89.785.987.6Earned an income10.314.112.4Amount earned >$0 - <$1431.71.71.7 $143 - <$2501.92.12 $250+6.610.38.6Total males100100100Job seekers receiving YA (other)12,84915,20828,057FemalesDid not earn an income81.877.279.1Earned an income18.222.820.9Amount earned >$0 - <$1433.12.82.9 $143 - <$25033.23.1 $250+12.116.714.8Total females100100100Job seekers receiving YA (other)10,56615,61126,177PersonsDid not earn an income86.181.583.5Earned an income13.918.516.5Amount earned >$0 - <$1432.32.32.3 $143 - <$2502.42.72.6 $250+9.113.611.6Total100100100Job seekers receiving YA (other)23,41530,81954,234????Note:- Long-term job seekers have received income support for 12 months or more.- The earnings data in Table 8 is derived using a different methodology from that of the other tables. Table 8 is based on the population of job seekers who are eligible for and entitled to receive Youth Allowance (other) at the end of the second last week in the month. The data obtained from this table will not be directly comparable with those calculated using monthly averages in other tables.Explanatory NotesIntroductionThis publication provides monthly statistical information on DSS labour market and related payments delivered by DHS. These Explanatory Notes provide details of the scope and methodology of the publication, as well as the policy changes which have affected the data since the publication was introduced in December 1995 by the then Department of Social Security.Prior to December 1995, this publication was titled the Monthly Job Search and Newstart Allowance Statistics.ScopeThe primary focus of the publication is to provide information on unemployed people on Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance, with a particular focus on the total number of job seekers. The numbers of people on Partner Allowance and Widow Allowance are also reported.MethodologyData in this publication relate to the average number of people who are both eligible (e.g. meet ‘unemployed’ qualification) and entitled (e.g. meet income and assets criteria) to receive a payment calculated over a reference month. Averages are calculated using figures collected for each Friday throughout the reference month.Table 1 provides information on the total number of unemployed people on Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance. The Youth Allowance population is split into Youth Allowance (full-time students), Youth Allowance (Australian Apprentices) and Youth Allowance (other) categories. Numbers of people on Partner Allowance and Widow Allowance are also provided.Tables 2 and 3 provide a summary of the Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) populations and show the derivation of the respective job seeker populations (see the reference to job seekers in the Comparability of Data section of these Explanatory Notes). These populations are added together to derive the total number of job seekers. Tables 4 to 8 provide information on the total job seeker population.The Statistical Areas Level 3 reported in Table 7 are based on the recipient's geo-coded address against the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) 2016.The earnings data in Table 8 (a and b) is derived using a different methodology from that of the other tables in the publication. Table 8 is based on the population of job seekers who are eligible for and entitled to receive Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (other) at the end of the second last week in the month. The data obtained from this table will not be directly comparable with those calculated using monthly averages in other tables.Payment HistoryYouth AllowanceThe maximum age for Youth Allowance (other) was increased for new claimants from 20 to 21 years of age from 1 July 2012 and the income free area was increased to $143. From 1 January 2016, to receive Youth Allowance (other) young people without a Year 12 or equivalent qualification (Certificate III) will need to participate in :approved full-time study, ora combination of 25 hours a week of approved part-time study and part-time work , orother approved activities of 25* hours per week, in addition to up to 20 job searches each month (noting that it is * 15 hours a week for early school leavers with a partial capacity to work or who are principal carer parents and have part-time requirements)until they attain Year 12 or equivalent, or a Certificate III, or turn 22 years of age.Earn or learn arrangements were phased in, applying from 1 July 2009 to all new recipients of Youth Allowance and from 1 July 2010 for all job seekers in receipt of Youth Allowance prior to 1 July 2009.From 1 July 1998 Youth Allowance was introduced to provide income support to young people, including students, those looking for work, and those who are sick. Youth allowees may be undertaking full-time study, full-time job search or a combination of approved activities. Some young people will be exempt from the activity test because of their personal circumstances, e.g. illness, homelessness or major personal crisis. The Youth Allowance replaced:AUSTUDY for 16-24 year olds (and certain 15 year olds);Newstart Allowance for 16-20 year olds (and certain 15 year olds);Youth Training Allowance for 16-17 year olds (and certain 15 year olds);Sickness Allowance for 16-20 year olds (and certain 15 year olds); andMore-than-minimum rate Family Payment for secondary students aged 16-18 not getting AUSTUDY.Special provisions applied for 18 to 20 year olds who were already on Newstart or Sickness Allowance at the date of announcement of Youth Allowance, and who remained on payment when Youth Allowance commenced on 1 July 1998. This group were able to remain on their existing payment and retain their existing benefits.Youth Allowance had a significant downward effect on Newstart Allowance numbers from July 1998 and total job seeker numbers due to the parental means test.Newstart AllowanceOn 1 January 2013, grandfathering provisions ceased for Parenting Payment recipients who had been receiving payment prior to 1 July 2006 and had a youngest child aged 6+ years (partnered recipients) or 8+ years (single recipients). The change caused a large one-off increase in the number of Newstart Allowees, as previously grandfathered Parenting Payment recipients who were eligible transferred to Newstart Allowance.On 1 July 2012, the qualification age for Newstart Allowance was increased for new claimants from 21 to 22 years of age. From 1 July 1998, Newstart Allowance for 16-20 year olds (and certain 15 year olds) was replaced by Youth Allowance. Young people aged 18 to 20 years old who were on Newstart or Sickness Allowance at the date of announcement of Youth Allowance and when Youth Allowance commenced on 1 July 1998, were able to remain on Newstart Allowance.From 20 October 1996, Job Search Allowance and Newstart Allowance were combined into one payment - Newstart Allowance - which was payable to eligible recipients aged 18 years and over and to some people who were in receipt of Job Search Allowance and aged under 18 at 31 December 1994 (see Job Search Allowance).Prior to 20 October 1996, Newstart Allowance was payable to eligible persons over 18 years who had been registered as unemployed with the Commonwealth Employment Service (CES) for 12 months or more.Job Search AllowanceFrom 20 October 1996, the payment was combined with Newstart Allowance to form one payment called Newstart Allowance (see Newstart Allowance). All Job Search Allowance recipients were transferred to Newstart Allowance.Sickness AllowanceFrom 17 March 1996, persons in receipt of Newstart Allowance or Youth Training Allowance who became temporarily incapacitated no longer transferred to Sickness Allowance after 13 weeks. This change had the effect of increasing total Newstart Allowance/Youth Training Allowance figures but did not affect job seeker figures as those recipients who were incapacitated were excluded from the Newstart and Youth Training job seeker populations.Under current arrangements, these recipients remain on their existing payments but are exempt from the activity test for the duration of their medical certificates. People who become unemployed because of illness, and those who suffer a potential loss of income due to sickness, are paid Newstart Allowance because they are unemployed.Sickness Allowance for 16 to 20 year olds (and certain 15 year olds) was replaced by Youth Allowance, which was introduced on 1 July 1998 (see Youth Allowance).Partner AllowanceFrom 20 September 2003, Partner Allowance was closed to new claimants. People on Partner Allowance before this date can remain on the allowance while they remain ‘current’, that is retain eligibility and entitlement for the allowance.From 1 July 1995 Partner Allowance has only been granted to persons who are dependent partners of pensioners and allowees and who were born before 1 July 1955, have no dependent children and have little or no recent workforce experience. Other dependent partners have to qualify for an income support payment in their own right, such as Newstart Allowance.Partner Allowance was introduced in October 1994, and was paid to partners of persons receiving Job Search Allowance, Newstart Allowance, Sickness Allowance or Special Benefit if certain eligibility criteria were satisfied.Youth Training AllowanceYouth Training Allowance was replaced by Youth Allowance on 1 July 1998 (see Youth Allowance).Widow AllowanceWidow Allowance was closed to new claimants from 1 July 2018. From 1 July 2005 Widow Allowance new grants may only be made to women born on or before 1 July 1955. Widow Allowance, introduced on 1 January 1995, is payable to females aged 50 years or over who have become widowed, divorced or separated since turning 40 years (50 prior to 20?March 1997), if they meet a number of other criteria relating to current marital status and recent work experience. Mature Age AllowanceFrom 20 October 2003, Mature Age Allowance was closed to new claimants. The payment ceased by October 2008.Mature Age Allowance was introduced on 24 March 1994, and was paid to long-term unemployed persons aged 60 years and over (but below Age Pension age) who had been receiving income support for 9 months or more and who were eligible for Newstart Allowance. The introduction of Mature Age Allowance had a downwards effect on Newstart Allowance numbers from April 1994 until October parability of DataThere have been significant changes to the data presented in this publication due to a number of events. The main changes are:the method of counting recipients;the inclusion of some CDEP recipients in the total recipient numbers;the introduction of Youth Allowance in July 1998;the way ‘job seeker’ is defined; the way duration is calculated; the eligibility for Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) from July 2012;the cessation of grandfathered Parenting Payment provisions, which saw an increase in the number of Newstart recipients in January 2013; andthe introduction of jobactive, an employment services model with a stronger focus on job search, which replaced Job Services Australia on 1 July 2015.People using this data to construct time series should note the following comments.Definition of RecipientsFrom July 2002, the number of people receiving labour market and related payments reports recipients who are both eligible and entitled to receive a payment. These recipients are otherwise known as ‘current’ recipients. Revised historical data (using this methodology) from May 1998 to June 2002 is in the July 2002 publication.Due to improved data sources, data from July 2003 has slight differences from the recipient numbers used in previous editions.Before July 2002, all recipients who received a payment within a given fortnight were counted. From mid 1998, recipients who received a ‘one-off’ payment were excluded. One-off payments can occur, for instance, when a normal payment is interrupted (e.g. payment is cancelled and then restored within that pay period) and a portion of the normal payment is munity Development Employment Projects (CDEP)From 20 March 2000, eligible participants in CDEP started receiving CDEP participant supplement and other add-ons, such as rent assistance, as part of income support payments. This added a number of new recipients to those eligible for payments reported in this publication. Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) ceased on 30 June 2015.Introduction of Youth AllowanceThe sum of the number of Newstart Allowees and Youth Training Allowees prior to July 1998 is broadly comparable with the sum of Newstart Allowees and Youth Allowees (other) after July 1998, other than the inclusion of Sickness Allowees in the Youth Allowance (other) population.There is greater comparability between total Newstart Allowance and Youth Training Allowance job seekers prior to July 1998 and total Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) job seekers after July 1998. This is because the Sickness Allowance group is excluded from the job seeker total.A pre and post July 1998 comparison will reflect the exclusion of some 18 to 20 year old unemployed people due to the application of the Youth Allowance parental means test (see the Youth Allowance section under Payment History).Job seekersFrom July 2009, all recipients with job search requirements are classified as job seekers in this report.Prior to 1 July 2009, some people with another activity (such as training) in addition to job search were classified according to that other activity and not as job seekers. Other people who were receiving Intensive Support Customised Assistance under Job Network arrangements were classified as job seekers although they may not always have been undertaking job search. From July 1998, the definition of job seekers excludes all people who did not receive a payment due to their own and/or their partner’s income, or where applicable, parental income, and those known not to be required to search for work.Before July 1998, job seekers excluded allowees who did not receive a payment, allowees who were incapacitated, and allowees who were undertaking training. Some people who were not required to search for work were classified as job seekers, including people undertaking full-time voluntary work, people on jury duty and pregnant women around the time of the birth of their child.DurationDuration refers to duration on income support and includes time spent on other income support payments.Since May 1998, duration has been defined according to the time a recipient spends on income support - short-term recipients are those who have been on income support for up to 12 months and long-term recipients are those who have been on income support for 12 months or more.Prior to 1998, duration was defined according to the time a recipient was registered as unemployed - short-term recipients were people who were registered as unemployed for up to 12 months and long-term recipients were people who were registered for 12 months or more. Symbolsn.a.not available..not applicableGlossaryActivity test statusThe activity that a Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (other) recipient has agreed to undertake in order to meet the activity test. To satisfy the activity test recipients must be actively seeking and willing to take up work or undertaking activities to improve their employment prospects.AgeAge in years at time of data collection.Area Support OfficeThe term Area Support Office was replaced by Service Zone in July munity Development Employment Projects (CDEP)Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) ceased on 30 June 2015.The CDEP program was administered by the Department of Social Services. Reforms to CDEP were introduced from 1 July 2009. Operating mainly in remote areas, the CDEP program aimed to help unemployed Indigenous Australians to find and keep jobs. Under the CDEP program, there were two main ways (‘streams’) that CDEP providers assisted Indigenous Australians: Work Readiness Services help individuals to develop their skills, improve their chances of getting a job, and move to work outside of the CDEP program; and Community Development focused on supporting and developing Indigenous communities and organisations.CDEP Participant Supplement (CPS)The CDEP Participant Supplement (CPS) is payable to eligible CDEP participants. It can be paid fortnightly or as a 12 weekly payment. Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) ceased on 30 June 2015.Customer Service CentreCustomer Service Centre was replaced by the term Service Centre in July 2011.Did not receive a paymentPersons who did not receive a payment due to their own income and/or that of their partner, or parents, where applicable. This group is often referred to as ‘zero paid’.Fortnightly earningsAmount of income earned, derived, or received by a person for the person's own use or benefit in the previous fortnight.IncapacitatedA person on Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (other) who has an activity test status indicating they are temporarily ill or incapacitated. Refer to the entry for Sickness Allowance in the Explanatory Notes.Job seekerA person on Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (other) who would usually be engaged in job search. See Explanatory Notes for definition and history.Long-term recipientsPersons who have been receiving income support for 12 months or more. Duration of long-term recipients can be reset to zero if they exited from payments for more than 13 weeks.Newstart Allowance (NSA) Newstart Allowance is payable to eligible unemployed persons aged 22 years and over (but below Age Pension age) who satisfy the activity test. See Explanatory Notes for history.Partner Allowance (PA)From 20 September 2003, Partner Allowance was closed to new claimants. People on Partner Allowance before this date can remain on the allowance while they remain ‘current’, that is retain eligibility and entitlement for the allowance.Partner Allowance was for dependent partners of pensioners and allowees. Partners had to be born before 1 July 1955, have no dependent children and have little or no recent workforce experience. Partner Allowance had no job search requirement. See Explanatory Notes for history.Service CentreA DHS Service Centre that provides DSS and other payments and related information and services to recipients. Service Centres are managed by Service Zones. Reporting by Service Centres and Service Zones was replaced in July 2017 with Statistical Areas Level 3.Service ZoneA set of Service Centres, grouped together for operational purposes on a geographic basis. Service Zones replaced Areas and Area Support Offices in July 2011. Reporting by Service Centres and Service Zones was replaced in July 2017 with Statistical Areas Level 3.Short-term recipientsPersons on Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance who have been receiving income support for less than 12 months. Duration of short-term recipients can be reset to zero if they exited from payments for more than 6 weeks.Statistical Areas Level 3Statistical Areas Level 3 are derived using the recipient’s geo-coded address against the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Statistical Area Level 3 boundaries were updated from ASGS 2011 to ASGS 2016 in March 2019. For further details, see the ABS website: ABS Statistical Geography < Allowance (WA)Widow Allowance was closed to new claimants from 1 July 2018. From 1 July 2005 Widow Allowance new grants may only be made to women born on or before 1 July 1955. Widow Allowance, a non-activity tested payment, is payable to females aged 50 years or over who have become widowed, divorced or separated since turning 40 years if they have little or no recent work experience and meet a number of other criteria relating to current marital status. See Explanatory Notes for history.Youth Training Allowance (YTA)From 1 January 1995 eligible persons aged under 18 years who were registered as unemployed with the CES were paid Youth Training Allowance. From 1 July 1998, Youth Training Allowance was replaced by Youth Allowance. See Explanatory Notes for history.Youth Allowance (YA)Youth Allowance is payable to eligible full-time students aged 16 to 25 years, and to eligible unemployed persons aged 16 to 21 years who satisfy the activity test. Note, there are certain exceptions for some 15 and 25 year olds. See Explanatory Notes for history.Youth Allowees may be undertaking full-time study, full-time job search or a combination of approved activities. Some young people will be exempt from the activity test because of their personal circumstances, e.g. illness, homelessness or major personal crisis. See the Explanatory Notes for more information.To receive Youth Allowance young people under 22 years of age without a Year 12 or equivalent qualification will usually need to: participate in education and training full-time; or participate full-time (that is, for at least 25 hours a week) in part-time study or training, in combination with other approved activities, until they attain Year 12 or an equivalent Certificate Level II or above qualification.Youth Allowance (other)Youth Allowance recipients who are not full-time students or full-time Australian Apprentices.Zero paidSee ‘Did not receive a payment’.AppendixComparisons Between DSS Unemployment Labour Market Payment Numbers And ABS Labour Force Unemployment StatisticsOfficial statisticsOfficial unemployment statistics are released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The ABS uses definitions recommended by the International Labour Organization which have been accepted internationally as the most appropriate for the compilation of official statistics of unemployment.ABS definitionThe ABS unemployment statistics measure the number of persons who, for a particular reference period, did not undertake any paid work, were actively looking for work and were available to start work.DSS Unemployment Labour Market Payment StatisticsThe labour market payment statistics give the number of persons who are both eligible and entitled to receive Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (other). The criteria for receipt of these payments do not match those the ABS uses to determine whether a person is classed as unemployed or employed for statistical purposes.DifferencesCare should be taken when comparing the ABS labour force and DSS labour market payment data. There are a number of reasons why the two series cannot be directly compared.DurationBoth DSS and the ABS classify long-term duration as over 12 months, but use substantially different definitions of duration:DSS measures duration of income support. This includes not just time on unemployment benefits but time on any income support payment.The ABS measures length of time unemployed using their unemployment definition.DSS unemployed recipients can have breaks without payment and still be classified as long-term income support recipients:Recipients who do not receive a payment due to their earnings can have up to 12 weeks without a payment before they are automatically cancelled. This reduces disincentives to accept short-term work.Long-term recipients can have 13 weeks off payment after payment is cancelled and keep their long-term status if they return to income support. This means they keep access to assistance such as the higher payment rate for recipients over 60.For the ABS statistics, any hours of work for a period as short as two weeks count as a break from unemployment and so are enough to reset a person’s unemployment duration.The difference between these two concepts, together with the fact that DSS recipients are able to have ongoing part-time work (see ‘employment’ below) mean that many unemployed recipients remain classified by DSS as long-term recipients when they would be classified as short-term unemployed under the ABS definition.Seasonal adjustmentThe ABS produces a seasonally adjusted series. The DSS labour market payment numbers data are not seasonally adjusted.ClassificationThe ABS classifies a person as unemployed if he or she is aged 15 years and over, was not employed during the week before the interview, has actively looked for full-time or part-time work and is available to start work. From February 2004, people who had not actively looked for work because they were waiting to start a job within four weeks are also classified as unemployed.The Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) series generally count people who are eligible for and entitled to receive a payment aged over 15 years and under Age Pension age.EmploymentNewstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) recipients may be employed part-time, but within an income test limit; the ABS classifies a person as "employed" if, among other things, he or she has worked for one hour or more during the survey period.TimingThe timing of collections of the series are different:DSS reports monthly average numbers of people both eligible for and entitled to receive Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other). These monthly averages are calculated using figures collected for each Friday throughout the reference month.ABS numbers are based on a sample survey which interviews occupants of selected dwellings covering around 0.33% of the total Australian population. These persons are generally interviewed during the two weeks beginning the Sunday between the 5th and 11th of each month and the information obtained relates to the week before the interview takes place.Treatment of partnersThe ABS series includes unemployed persons whose spouse is working, irrespective of income, whereas Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) recipients are subject to an income and assets test for themselves and their spouse.PensionersThe ABS series includes persons being paid a pension but looking for work (e.g. sole parents in receipt of Parenting Payments looking for work).Non job seekersThe overall Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) series includes persons who are not required to undertake jobsearch. These persons are separately identified in Tables 2 and 3, and have then been excluded in subsequent tables. These people may be undertaking training, the development of self-employment opportunities, full-time voluntary work or a combination of voluntary and part-time work which excludes them from jobsearch obligations. They may also be incapacitated or have another temporary exemption from jobsearch.Waiting periodsThe ABS series includes persons who are serving a waiting period before being granted Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (other), or whose allowance was deferred.SurveyThe ABS figures are derived from a Labour Force Survey which is a sample survey, whereas the DSS statistics are a complete count of those both eligible for and entitled to receive Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other).See also: The Australian Bureau of Statistics release “6105.0 - Australian Labour Market Statistics, July 2014 – The unemployed and recipients of Government unemployment benefits - differences explained” <; For More InformationOther recipient informationThe Department of Social Services publishes statistics about the various pensions, benefits and family payments which the Department administers, on a quarterly basis on the Australian Government’s centralised data publishing site, .au (). Historical data is available in a statistical overview available on the Department’s website, DSS - Statistical Paper Series (<;).Labour market informationOther statistics on recipients of labour market related payments are available on request.In addition to Newstart and Youth Allowances, statistics are also available on Partner Allowance, Parenting Payment, Sickness Allowance, ABSTUDY and Widow Allowance.For enquiries email:IncomeSupportInformation@.au ................
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