Commonwealth Consolidated Regulations Commonwealth Consolidated RegulationsFor the purposes of the definition of protected earnings rate in subsection 4 (1) of the Act, the following weekly rate is prescribed for a year commencing on 1 January, namely, 75% of the maximum fortnightly basic rate of Newstart Allowance, as determined under the Social Security Act 1991 , payable, on 1 January in that year, to a person who is partnered and has turned 21 years of age and who is without dependent children.