Who is eligible for NEIS?

NEIS is available to unemployed people who are:
• registered with Centrelink and receiving a Pension benefit
• registered with a Job Services Australia Provider as being ‘NEIS Eligible’
• over 18 years but under age 64 and not an un-discharged bankrupt
• capable of being ‘Referred’ to NEIS by a Job Services Australia Provider
• capable of entering into an Employment Pathway Plan with a JSA Provider
• eligible to participate in business studies under the Productivity Places Program
• not have received NEIS in the previous two years; or previously in the same industry

To be eligible for income support under NEIS, proposed businesses must:
• be in an area of Skills Shortages and be able to demonstrate that skills shortage
• be new and not yet operating on a full-time basis
• be independent and be reputable
• be assessed as commercially viable
• be insurable
• not compete directly with existing businesses (unless there is an unsatisfied demand for the product or service, or they are to be provided in a new way).

NEIS is a self-employment program administered by DEEWR and delivered locally by a network of NEIS Panel Members. The package of assistance offered under NEIS includes:
• Training in small business management, business skills and business plan development under the Productivity Places Program
• NEIS Allowance for up to a year which replaces the basic adult Newstart Allowance
• Business advice and mentor support during the first year of business operation.

NEIS is now based on addressing Skill Shortages in Australia.  Every effort will be made to assist Jobseekers with multiple barriers to employment, if it can be demonstrated that their new business idea can be turned into a commercially viable business.

  • be in an area of Skills Shortages and be able to demonstrate that skills shortage
  • be new and not yet operating on a full-time basis
  • be independent and be reputable
  • be assessed as commercially viable
  • be insurable
  • not compete directly with existing businesses (unless there is an unsatisfied demand for the product or service, or they are to be provided in a new way).

NEIS is a self-employment program administered by DEEWR and delivered locally by a network of NEIS Panel Members. The package of assistance offered under NEIS includes:

  • Training in small business management, business skills and business plan development under the Productivity Places Program
  • NEIS Allowance for up to a year which replaces the basic adult Newstart Allowance
  • Business advice and mentor support during the first year of business operation.

NEIS is now based on addressing Skill Shortages in Australia.  Every effort will be made to assist Jobseekers with multiple barriers to employment, if it can be demonstrated that their new business idea can be turned into a commercially viable business.