# National Promises Random Drug Testing for Jobseekers

> National pledges random drug tests for jobseeker beneficiaries to boost work readiness.
- Title: National Promises Random Drug Testing for Jobseekers · RNZ
- Summary: National pledges random drug tests for jobseeker beneficiaries to boost work readiness. National plans random drug testing for jobseeker beneficiaries…
- Keywords: national, jobseeker, drug testing, work readiness, jobseeker support, employment policy, welfare, politics, news, Promises, Random, Drug
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1789337/national-promises-random-drug-testing-for-jobseeker-beneficiaries
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-07T20:35:11+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: national, jobseeker, drug testing, work readiness, jobseeker support, employment policy, welfare, politics, news
## National's new policy
National promises random drug testing for jobseeker beneficiaries to ensure they're ready for work.

> National is promising to introduce random drug testing for those on the jobseeker benefit to ensure they're "ready for work".
## Policy details
The policy starts with 10,000 tests annually and expands over time.

> Upston said it would start with 10,000 tests in the first year and expand over time.
## Cost and savings
The policy costs $1.5 million per year and saves $580 million from 2027/28 to 2030/31.

> National expects the policy to cost around $1.5 million per annum and be funded from MSD baselines. The savings are expected to be just over $580 million from 2027/28 to 2030/31.
## Consequences for failure
A first failed test records a failure; a second triggers a clinical assessment and potential benefit reductions.

> Under our policy, a first failed test will be recorded and a second failed test will trigger a clinical alcohol and drug assessment.
## Benefit reductions
Single recipients without children lose $48 weekly; couples lose $82; households with children lose $24.

> Single Jobseeker recipients without children would get a reduction of around $48 per week, couples without children would get nearly $82 less per week and Jobseeker recipients with dependent children around $24 less per week - if the changes were made today.
## Next steps
The policy aims to get more people off welfare and into work by 2028.

> Upston said the party was focused on "getting more people off welfare and into work".
## Key takeaway

National plans random drug testing for jobseeker beneficiaries starting with 10,000 tests annually to ensure work readiness.