What is gainful work?
The work test requires that your work: • involves a substantial degree of personal effort or exertion • is for the provision of goods or a service, and • is for financial gain or reward. Generally, managing family financial investments (such as a family company or trust) does not count as gainful work. Financial investments could include shares, managed investments, bank accounts, and so on. If your work involves a commercial business, then the work test may be satisfied. If you are earning money by doing domestic duties in other people’s homes, or if you are self-employed with a cleaning business, you would meet the requirements of the work test. However, domestic duties in your own home do not count as gainful work. For more information about the work test, phone 13 2300 or visit a Centrelink Customer Service Centre.
