NEiS is available to unemployed people who are:

• registered with Centrelink for full-time work
• over 18 years and less than Age Pension age while receiving NEiS Allowance
• receiving a Centrelink allowance or pension which includes a living allowance component
• not have received NEiS Allowance in the previous two years; or previously for the same business activity

To be eligible for income support under NEiS, proposed businesses must: 

• be new and not yet operating on a full-time basis
• be independent and be reputable
• be assessed as commercially viable and recommended for NEiS Allowance by a NEiS Advisory Committee
• not compete directly with existing businesses (unless there is an unsatisfied demand for the product or service, or they are to be provided in a new way).

NEiS is a self-employment program administered by DEWR and delivered locally by a network of Managing Agents such as the BEC. The package of assistance offered under NEiS includes:

• Training in small business management, business skills and business plan development  
• NEiS Allowance for up to a year which is equivalent to the basic adult rate of Newstart Allowance
• Business advice and mentor support during the first year of business operation.