Recovering Centrelink debts from customers living overseas 107-05080050

Negotiate debt repayment with the customer (where possible).

Customers who are overseas can pay their debts via:

• BPAY - Services Australia does not accept credit card payments via BPAY. If a customer's financial institution allows a BPAY payment to be made from their credit card, fees or interest may be charged. Customers should check this with their financial institution before making the payment. Biller code - 21915
• POST billpay: via internet or phone on (country code) - 61 3 9625 2364. POST billpay Code is: '0802', and POST billpay Reference Number is on the Extra Details (OPXD) screen.
• Mail - by cheque, international money order or bank draft. Make payable to 'The Collector of Public Money, Centrelink'. Customers must ensure their Customer Reference Number (CRN) and full name are on the back of the payment. Mail the payment to Centrelink International Services, GPO Box 273, Hobart TASMANIA 7001
• Wire Payment - From their bank, direct to the agency's bank account. The wire payment is a bank-to-bank transfer of monies. Customers should send payments to:
• Reserve Bank of Australia, GPO Box 3947, Sydney NSW 2001
• Account 318778 - CSDA Official Collectors Receipts Account SWIFT Code: RSBKAU2S
• Customers must include their CRN in the comments/description section of the wire. Without a CRN, the only details known is that a wire has arrived from an overseas bank

Note: it is not safe to send cash through the post.

Garnisheeing money left in Australia by the customer is an option.

See:

• Garnishees, and
• Financial institution (FI) garnishees to recover debts

Consider legal action if the customer has assets in Australia.

See, Civil procedures to recover Centrelink debts.

Consider seeking assistance from the Australian High Commission in the country where the customer is now living. Debt Staff must seek approval from their Assistant Director for all requests and include:

• the customer's name, address and date of birth
• debt balance

Note: consider cost effectiveness when recovering debts.

If the debt is not cost effective to pursue consider non recovery options:

• Waiving debts, or
• Writing off debts

If a customer returns to Australia while a debt is temporarily written off, recovery will trigger by:

• automatic withholdings if they claim a payment from Services Australia, or
• a data match with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) if the customer signs a Tax File Declaration Form (TDF)