Job Loss Action Plan

This tool asks you questions about your employment situation, finances, and household, then runs deterministic calculations based on current Australian government rules. It estimates your Centrelink payment rate, calculates any waiting periods (LAWP, IMP, OWP, UNPP), checks your Fair Work entitlements (notice period, redundancy pay, unfair dismissal eligibility), and finds state-specific concessions. The result is a prioritised action checklist you can work through step by step.

Most people who lose their job in Australia are eligible for JobSeeker Payment (if aged 22 or older) or Youth Allowance (if under 22). The amount you receive depends on your relationship status, whether you have dependents, your age, and your assets. As of September 2025, a single person with no dependents receives $793.60 per fortnight plus an Energy Supplement. You may also get Rent Assistance if you pay rent above certain thresholds.

The waiting period depends on your liquid assets, any termination payments, and how you left your job. If you have fewer than $5,500 in liquid assets (single) and didn't receive a large termination payment, you may only have a 1-week Ordinary Waiting Period. If you resigned voluntarily without a reasonable excuse, an additional Unemployment Non-Payment Period (currently 4 weeks) may apply.

The Liquid Assets Waiting Period (LAWP) applies if your liquid assets (cash, savings, shares, etc.) exceed the threshold — $5,500 for singles or $11,000 for couples/people with dependents. Above the threshold, you wait 1 week for every $500 (single) or $1,000 (couple) over the reserve amount, up to a maximum of 13 weeks.

You must lodge an unfair dismissal application with the Fair Work Commission within 21 calendar days of your dismissal taking effect. This deadline is strict and extensions are rarely granted. The filing fee is $89.70 (2025-26) but fee waivers are available for financial hardship.

Redundancy pay under the National Employment Standards ranges from 4 weeks' pay (for 1-2 years of service) up to 16 weeks' pay (for 9-10 years). After 10 years, it reduces to 12 weeks. Small businesses with fewer than 15 employees are exempt from paying redundancy. Your notice period is separate — 1 to 4 weeks depending on service length, plus an extra week if you're over 45.

Crisis Payments are available if you're in severe financial hardship due to extreme circumstances, such as domestic violence or being released from prison. Losing a job alone doesn't automatically qualify, but if it causes extreme financial hardship, contact Services Australia on 13 28 50 within 7 days to discuss your eligibility.

Once approved for a payment like JobSeeker, you automatically receive a Health Care Card. This gives you cheaper prescriptions (PBS rate), access to state energy concessions, half-price public transport in most states, and eligibility for utility hardship programs. Each state has different concessions — this tool shows you the specific programs available in your state.

A personalised action plan with prioritised steps grouped by urgency — what to do today, this week, and this month. It includes payment estimates (fortnightly JobSeeker/Youth Allowance rate + Energy Supplement + Rent Assistance), waiting period calculations, Fair Work entitlements (notice period, redundancy pay, unfair dismissal eligibility with deadlines), state concessions, creditor hardship scripts with phone numbers and your legal rights, and time-critical deadlines with countdown indicators.

Yes. This tool is completely free, requires no sign-up, and no data leaves your browser. All calculations happen on your device and your answers are only saved locally so you can resume if you close the page.