My suggestion is to make an appointment with Centrelink, and ask them direct.

Hi Sally, you will be eligible for newstart.  Unless you can get a doctors cert., you will be  wasting your time applying for jobs that you will not get an interview for, for another 2 years.

Yes Sally sadly Innes is correct they have done away with the partners allowance which actually was Newstart payment anyway so no difference on th emoney but you will have to do whatever they make you do these days to get newstart - used to be filling in a form then a Diary in the late 80's as I used to get people drop in to get it signed saying they had applied for a job etc.

 We do have the Age Discrimination Act 2004 brought in by Peter Costello but it is not policed seemingly because adverts for jobs still limit the age and should say junior or up to age 65 which is official retirement age currently I believe - talk about raising it but not sure it has gone through.

Start here - source click and it will take you to Newstart payments and criteria etc

I've told you all before that the retirement age is now 67.

Females wanted equality and got it...there is no sex difference now.

I am sorry Davey, but you are incorrect.  The aged pension age eligability is still 65 years & does not increase to 65.5 years until july 2017, then increasing by 6 months every 2 years until it reaches 67 in 2023.

No Davey, you just run off at the mouth with words like "I told you all before...." maybe you should check with Mr Google before pontificating your bad advice.  

Anybody can make a mistake toot2000.  Why are so many on here becoming so personally agressive of late?

At least most of the grumpies do it in short messages.

Some messages are so long I find the whole thing - well you know.

I am 62 and on newstart allowance. I now have a medical certificate so I will be left alone til next January. I had to look for work every day before that. It is a joke at our age. I don't have a car, but I was expected to walk a very long distance to a job if it came up. Can't remember how many kilometers, but at my age, it was too far. I am alone though, so it might be different for you. I would definately get a medical certificate though, to save you going through all the stress of having to find work. You may also be asked to do voluntary work for 15 hours a week, which I have to do. I enjoy it though, so I don't mind that one. If you have arthritus in your hip, You shouldn't have a problem with a certificate.

P.S. Innes is right. It is still 65 for a pension

Well not entirely true.  According to Centrelink website there is an eligibility age for the aged pension and has a sliding scale depending on your date of birth.  eg born between 1 January 1949 to 30 June 1952 then you can't claim until you are 65 but if you were born 1 January 1957 you need to wait until you are 67.

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/centrelink/age-pension/eligibility-for-age-pension

Now going back to Johanna's original question.  It would be worth your husband investigating with Centrelink if he can claim for you as a dependant.  Fairly sure you would not be able to claim Newstart Allowance as you are married but worth asking.

Hope you find some answers soon.

If you have a medical condition e.g. arthritic hip and unable to work standing,sitting and walking difficult would you be eligible for a disability pension? Just a thought see your GP and Centrelink when you have a certificate. Best of luck.