IK if you sign up for the "dole" (dh hates when i call it that!!) your DH will get the base $370 a fortnight everyone gets. but you will get a partnered parenting payment as well, which we found really great when DH wasnt working, and one they've been working for 12 weeks fulltime, then the payments stop. although its a pain in hte butt, it really helps when there's no income...