Government introduces stricter Jobseeker rules and employment bonus for youth

Sunday 5 October 2025 · 6 outlets · 5 reports · updated Sun 5 Oct 2025, 4:29pm

In this story Louise Upston

New rules coming in November 2026 will require parents earning over $65,000 to support their 18-19-year-old children. This parental assistance test could affect approximately 4,300 teenagers. Additionally, the government is introducing a $1,000 bonus for young people who remain in employment for one year.

How they headlined it

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1. 1NewsSun 5 Oct 2025, 2:31pm

   Govt tightens youth benefit rules, offers $1000 employment bonus (opens in new tab)

2. RNZSun 5 Oct 2025, 2:54pm

   Jobseeker: Parents earning more than $65k must support 18-19yo children (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldSun 5 Oct 2025, 2:59pm

   Government brings in $1000 bonus to keep teens off the dole, speeds up benefit cut plans (opens in new tab)

4. The Press via The PostSun 5 Oct 2025, 3:41pm

   ‘The world doesn’t owe you a living’: PM says 4300 teens will lose Jobseeker benefit next year (opens in new tab)

   Also on Stuff (opens in new tab)

5. Otago Daily TimesSun 5 Oct 2025, 4:29pm

   Thousands of teens to lose Jobseeker benefit (opens in new tab)