Living in Newcastle does not usually change the basic eligibility rules for JobSeeker Payment. Services Australia assesses factors including your age, residency, income, assets, work capacity and whether you meet any applicable mutual obligation requirements. You can generally start a claim through your myGov account linked to Centrelink, and you may be referred to a local Workforce Australia provider for employment support. The payment rate and waiting periods depend on your individual circumstances, so check the latest information at servicesaustralia.gov.au or contact Services Australia before lodging a claim.