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Unemployment Benefits in New Zealand
People out of work in New Zealand can get Jobseeker Support, a weekly payment from Work and Income (Ministry of Social Development), while they look for work.
✓ From official pages ✓ Each part says when we checked
At a glance
Work and Income (Ministry of Social Development)
Work and Income, to apply if you cannot apply online
The job market in New Zealand
The International Labour Organization's estimates put New Zealand 92nd lowest of 183 countries for unemployment in 2025; the world's rate was 4.9%.
New Zealand's unemployment rate over the years · every country, ranked
What to do first
- Register with the public employment service, Work and Income. Official page
- Apply for Jobseeker Support: apply online through MyMSD, then complete the next steps and attend an appointment; by phone if you cannot apply online. Official page
- Keep up with the job-search rule while you claim (below), and keep a record of where you applied.
- Questions: call 0800 559 009 (Work and Income, to apply if you cannot apply online).
Jobseeker Support
Who can get it. People 18 or older (20 with dependent children) who are unemployed or working part-time and looking for full-time work, below an income limit, who are citizens or residents with at least 2 years in New Zealand.
How much. Maximum weekly rate for a single person 25 or over: $426.12 before tax ($372.55 after tax); other rates by age and family situation, reduced by other income.
How to claim. Apply online through MyMSD, then complete the next steps and attend an appointment; by phone if you cannot apply online.
From an official page, read October 25, 2026.
Looking for work while you claim
Look for or prepare for work, take part in work ability assessments, and complete the activities set by their due dates; some people have an employment plan in MyMSD.
From an official page, read October 25, 2026.
Keep my work search record for New Zealand
Free. It lists where you applied and what else you did to look for work, each line ready to copy into the form you report on. It is your own record: we send nothing to any government.
Help finding work
- The public employment service: Work and Income
Who to call
Work and Income, to apply if you cannot apply online: 0800 559 009.
From an official page, read October 25, 2026.
Questions
Is there unemployment benefit in New Zealand?
Yes: Jobseeker Support, paid by Work and Income (Ministry of Social Development).
How much is unemployment benefit in New Zealand?
Maximum weekly rate for a single person 25 or over: $426.12 before tax ($372.55 after tax); other rates by age and family situation, reduced by other income.
How do I claim unemployment benefit in New Zealand?
Apply online through MyMSD, then complete the next steps and attend an appointment; by phone if you cannot apply online.
Do I have to look for work while I claim in New Zealand?
Look for or prepare for work, take part in work ability assessments, and complete the activities set by their due dates; some people have an employment plan in MyMSD.
Who do I call about unemployment in New Zealand?
Work and Income, to apply if you cannot apply online: 0800 559 009.
Where can I get help finding a job in New Zealand?
The public employment service is Work and Income.
Nearby countries
Australia
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Norfolk Island
Where this comes from
Every part of this page was read on an official website, and each links the page it came from and the day we checked it. Rules and amounts change, so check that page before you rely on a figure. Jobareer is not part of any government and cannot see or change a claim.
See also: unemployment rate by country · New Zealand's unemployment rate · unemployment in the US, state by state.