What is What is the partner income test??

The partner income test is how a partner's income can reduce your own payment. For working-age allowances, it is not only your income that counts. Once your partner earns more than a set amount, their income starts to reduce your payment too.

There is a partner income free area. Your partner can earn up to that amount without affecting your payment. Above it, their income reduces your payment at a set rate. The partner income free area is higher if your partner is 22 or over than if they are younger.

The partner income test applies to allowances such as JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy and Parenting Payment partnered. Pensions look at a couple's combined income instead of running a separate partner test.

How it affects your payment

The partner income test means a couple is assessed together, not just as two separate people. If your partner works, their income above the partner free area can lower your payment even if your own income is small.

Different rules apply if your partner is a pensioner. The partner income free areas and the way the test works for each payment are shown on that payment's income test page.

Example

Suppose you are on JobSeeker and your partner has a job. Your own income is under your free area, so on its own it would not reduce your payment. But if your partner earns more than the partner income free area, the amount above it reduces your JobSeeker. This is why a couple where one person works can get less than two single people would.

Related terms

• Income free area
• Taper rate

Rates current as of 17 July 2026. Source: DSS / Services Australia. Last checked 17 July 2026.