Definition of the officially unemployed, and differences from registered job seekers
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Definition of the officially unemployed
The officially unemployed are people aged 15 years or over who:
- are without any paid work and without unpaid work in a relative's business
- have actively sought work in the previous four weeks (ie done more than check newspaper advertisements)
are available to take up work.
The number of officially unemployed is measured by the Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) conducted quarterly by Statistics New Zealand.
Key differences between the officially unemployed, registered job seekers and recipients of Unemployment Benefits
Key differences between the officially unemployed, registered job seekers and recipients of Unemployment Benefits are outlined in the table below.
| Characteristic | Officially unemployed | Registered job seekers | Unemployment Benefit recipients |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 15 years or over |
15 years or over |
18-64 years (modest exceptions for some parents aged 16-17) |
| Residency | "Normally resident" |
No limits |
Continuously lived in New Zealand for two years since becoming a citizen or permanent resident |
| Full-time or part-time work sought | Seeking to work one hour or more per week |
Seeking to increase hours of work (or obtain part-time or full-time work if not working at present) |
Seeking full-time employment |
| Current work status | Less than one hour per week for pay or profit in the previous fortnight, and have had no unpaid work in a relative's business |
May work part-time, as long as seeking to increase hours |
May work part-time subject to relevant income tests |
| Income | Not relevant |
Not relevant |
Ineligible if income is in excess of the cut-off for Unemployment Benefit |
| Partner's employment status | Not relevant |
Not relevant |
Makes some ineligible (through excess income) |
| In tertiary study | Can count as unemployed |
May study part-time subject to requirement to seek and be available for work |
Generally ineligible for Unemployment Benefit, although other assistance may be available |
| Efforts to find work | Must have actively sought work (done more than checking newspaper advertisements) within the last four weeks |
Complies with Job Seeker Agreement, and any other administrative requirements of Work and Income (including work test if applicable) |
Complies with Job Seeker Agreement, work test, and any other administrative requirements of Work and Income |
| Availability for work | Must be available for work within the next four weeks |
May be unavailable for work for short periods without losing eligibility |
May be unavailable for work for short periods without losing eligibility |
| Wanting income assistance from Work and Income | Not relevant |
Not relevant |
Must want and apply for an Unemployment Benefit, as well as meeting eligibility criteria |
