1.2.1.10 Newstart Allowance (NSA) - Description

Objective of NSA

NSA is an income support payment (section 23(1)-'income support payment') for people who are unemployed or who are treated as unemployed, and:

• are looking for work, or
• are participating in approved activities designed to facilitate entry to employment, or
• are exempted from activity requirements, or
• are undertaking sufficient work.

Act reference: SSAct section 23(1)-'income support payment'

Supplementary assistance

Recipients receiving NSA MAY also receive one or more of the following as part of their NSA rate:

• rent assistance,
• pharmaceutical allowance,
• remote area allowance,
• approved program of work supplement.

They MAY also be entitled to the following while in receipt of NSA:

• telephone allowance,
• a HCC or PCC,
• CDEP participant supplement (CPS).

Bereavement payment provisions

The surviving member of a couple may be eligible for bereavement payments following the death of a partner.

How NSA is paid

NSA is calculated on a daily basis and is paid in arrears, generally in instalments of 14 days. Instalment periods of less than 14 days may be paid where a person changes their payday arrangements.

Background information

NSA was introduced in 1991 and, with job search allowance (JSA), replaced UB. JSA and NSA were amalgamated in September 1996.

Act reference: SSAct section 593 Qualification for NSA

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.2.1 NSA - Qualification & Payability, 5.1.1.10 NSA - Current Rates

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Last reviewed: 20 September 2011