Debt identification 107-02010000

A debt may occur from:

• a change in a customer's circumstances
• reviews and data matching by Services Australia
• members of the public (tip-off)
• pre-payment or an advance
• grant of compensation payment
• Assurance of Support (AoS)

Start dates and date of effect rules can vary according to payment type. See the relevant payment type in Operational Blueprint for details.

Dates that may determine whether an overpayment (or underpayment) exists include:

• date of commencement (generally the day a customer makes a claim)
• qualification start date
• entitlement start date
• the date a change in circumstances affects ongoing payments

The start date or duration of a debt may be affected by any arrears payable. Arrears payable to a person are restricted to 13 weeks. Different rules apply for Family Tax Benefit (FTB). See the References page for links to legislation.

Once a possible debt has been identified, record the reasons for the debt on the:

• Online Document Recording (ODR)
• Debt Management and Information System (DMIS)
• Debt screens in Process Direct
• Integrated Review System (IRS)

Effective debt management maintains public confidence. Services Australia recovers funds if a customer has received public moneys that they were not lawfully entitled to.

The agency promotes the efficient, effective and ethical use of Commonwealth resources. These resources include debts owed to the Commonwealth.

A customer may get more than they are entitled to. Any amounts that are overpaid are not debts unless there is a legal basis for recovery.

A recoverable debt is any amount that is legally due and payable to the Commonwealth. A debt may incur a 10% Recovery Fee.

Pursue recovery of a debt unless:

• the debt has been written off
• the debt is not legally recoverable
• recovery of the debt is waived
• it is not economical to recover the debt
• the debt is an excess payment

See Finalised 'no debt' (FND) or 'zeroing' debts that are not legally recoverable