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Waiving Centrelink debts 107-05120000

This document outlines information on when to waive a debt or interest.

Process Direct

On this page:

Identifying eligibility for waiver

Waiving an undetermined debt in full

Identifying eligibility for waiver

Table 1

Step	Action
1	Raising or amending the debt Making a decision to waive or not waive a debt can happen before or after: determining the debt, or debt recovery commences If the debt is: Undetermined, staff must consider if waiver is appropriate before raising the debt Determined, staff must consider waiver: when amending the total calculated debt amount below the small debt waiver threshold, or when a customer or nominee makes a request See: Small debt waivers Administrative error waivers Special circumstances debt waivers Actioning an undetermined debt on the Debt Management and Information System (DMIS)) Raising Child Care Subsidy (CCS) debts in Process Direct Changing account details on debts raised in the Debt Management and Information System (DMIS) Are there factors relevant to consider debt or interest waiver or has the customer asked for a waiver? Yes, go to Step 2 No, go to Step 8 See the Resources page for a list of debt waiver reasons.
2	Debt status When applying debt waiver for: Undetermined debts, go to Step 3 Determined debts, see the Customer First/Customer Record subtab
3	Whole or partial waiver Is the whole debt going to be waived, or only part of the debt? Whole debt is to be waived, go to Step 4 Part of the debt is to be waived, see the Customer First/Customer Record subtab
4	Delegation Staff with the appropriate delegation and knowledge in relevant business area can waive a debt. See the References page for a link to Centrelink Services, Delegations and Authorisations. Does the staff member have the main business line experience or delegation to waive the debt or interest? Yes, if the waiver is for: an FTB qualification debt less than the small debt waiver threshold, see Step 2 in Small debt waivers a CCS debt, see Raising Child Care Subsidy (CCS) debts in Process Direct a debt or interest charge, not covered by the above options, go to Step 7 No, go to Step 5
5	Requesting a waiver Is the relevant debt a Family Tax Benefit (FTB) or Child Care Subsidy (CCS) reconciliation or non-lodgement debt? Yes, go to Step 6 No, for other debts on the record which need to be referred to a different business area, see below Use Fast Note to refer the case to the relevant Debt Team, see the Resources page in Debt Ownership for referral details. Include relevant details for staff to consider, such as: customer details and contact background information into the creation of the debt, outlining the cause and source of debt section of the Act the debt is being waived under debt calculations whether the debt arose from the customer or someone else: knowingly giving a false statement, representation, or omission, or failing to comply with the relevant Act details of the reason for waiver why it is more appropriate to waive the debt rather than write it off See minimum DOC standards for debt waivers and the Resources page in Special circumstances debt waivers for example DOC text. Refer all other debts which meet the criteria for debt waiver to the relevant business area: staff with debt responsibility, refer the Fast Note to a staff member with the appropriate delegation level all other staff, refer the case to the relevant Debt Team Procedure ends here.
6	FTB and CCS Reconciliation or Non-Lodgement Debts For CCS debts: up to $1,000, use Fast Note - select Auto text, use Families > Reconciliation > Complex CCS reconciliation escalation from $1,000, use the Direct Referral to SSO webform, select: Benefit type MIV-CCS, and Escalation type Debt Waiver Procedure ends here from $5,000, refer to local leadership at the EL1 level (or above) for action. Ensure a thorough explanation of the customer circumstances and detailed debt waiver reason is provided for EL1 consideration staff with appropriate delegation to waive CCS debt, see Raising Child Care Subsidy (CCS) debts in Process Direct For FTB debts where waivers require action and staff have the business line experience, for: Administrative Error waiver: APS3 or APS4 debts not exceeding $5,000. For debts over $5,000, refer to SSO using the Direct Referral to SSO webform APS5 and above have no upper limit Special Circumstance waiver: APS3 or APS4 debts not exceeding $5,000. For debts over $5,000, refer to SSO using Direct Referral to SSO webform APS5 or APS6 for amounts not exceeding $15,000 EL1 or above for amounts exceeding $15,000, refer to local leadership for action. Ensure a thorough explanation of the customer circumstances and detailed debt waiver reason is provided for EL1 consideration Staff with appropriate delegation and business line experience to waive FTB debt, go to Step 7.
7	Check if the debt meets the criteria for waiver Decide if the debt or interest meets the criteria for waiver: Administrative error waivers Small debt waivers Special circumstances debt waivers Discount waivers other waiver reasons, see Table 2 on the Resources page Does the debt meet the criteria for waiver? Yes, see Table 2 > Step 1 No, go to Step 8
8	Next appropriate action Consider: A recovery fee may be applicable, see Recovery Fee applied to debts resulting from incorrect declaration of income Recovery of the debt Not taking recovery action for a specific period of time (for example temporary write off due to short term hardship) Ceasing recovery action permanently because there is no longer a legal right to recover the debt. For example, permanent write off as the customer is deceased and there is no estate or assets) From 1 January 2017, the statute of limitations has been removed from Centrelink debts, raised under the following legislation: Social Security Act 1991 A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 Student Assistance Act 1973, and Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 Note: any debts that had reached the 6 year limitation date before 1 January 2017 remain eligible for statute barring. See Six Year Limitation Write off. Record details on a Note using Fast Note.

Waiving an undetermined debt in full

Table 2

Step	Action
1	Code the waiver Use the Debt Assist workflow to waive the debt. Select Customer Summary from the Process Direct Landing page Enter the customer’s CRN, select Go Key START in the Super Key Select Debt Assist workflow from the Task Selector
2	Select debt The Debt Summary screen will show all: undetermined debts determined debts, and finalised debts To view debt information details, select View details. From the Debt Information Overview: Select the undetermined Debt ID to be actioned Select Next Details captured throughout the Debt Assist workflow will be included in the Finalisation Note.
3	Select Debt Action Select Waive a debt from the Debt Action dropdown menu The confirmation question will present: 'I confirm I have: selected the correct customer and Debt ID undertaken the appropriate investigations, and considered the provisions for waiving recovery of a debt and I am waiving recovery of the debt in full' Did the confirmation question present? Yes, go to Step 5 No, go to Step 4
4	Continue the Debt Assist workflow If the confirmation question does not show after a debt is selected, this may indicate the workflow is already in progress. The workflow will go to the Circumstance Data screen. Investigate the previously started transaction to confirm the debt is to be waived. If staff exit the workflow and need to return to continue processing the debt, the Transaction ID must be visible at the top of the screen: If the Transaction ID does not show: In the record, select the Transactions icon > All transactions Select Transaction ID hyperlink Select Process Select Next on the Errors (SWE) screen The confirmation question will now show, select Next Note: if the confirmation question does not show, the transaction cannot be finalised in Process Direct, see Handover function in Process Direct, Customer First and Customer Record. Go to Step 5.
5	Confirmation question Respond to confirmation question. 'Do you confirm that you can proceed with the workflow?' Yes: Select Next Go to Step 6 No: A warning will present advising 'You cannot proceed to Waive a Debt Workflow' Procedure ends here
6	Source Activity Details The following fields will auto populate and cannot manually be updated: Debt ID Debt status Legislative authority Estimated amount Confirm the details are for the correct debt. Benefit type The Benefit type field will auto populate and can be manually updated, if required. To update: start typing the appropriate Benefit code, or select the Benefit type from the dropdown menu Note: the legislative authority will automatically update to the appropriate Act depending on the Benefit type selected. Is this debt a result of system or clerical error? Select if the debt is a result of System error, Clerical error or No error. Date of event and debt start and end dates These fields will auto populate and can be manually updated, if required. To update: enter the date, or select the date using the Calendar icon Date of receipt The Date of receipt field will need to be entered manually. To update: enter the date, or select the date using the Calendar icon Note: this field is mandatory when System error or Clerical error are selected.
7	Debt reason The debt reason can be selected by entering the debt reason code or by using a guided process. The guided process displays additional questions, such as the debt reason category, to assist with selecting the correct debt reason. From How would you like to select the debt reason, select the most appropriate option from the dropdown menu: Debt reason code: From What is the debt reason code field, select the appropriate debt reason from the dropdown menu Further questions relating to the cause of debt may display depending on the answers provided. Select the appropriate option from the dropdown menus Guided selection: From the dropdown menu, select the appropriate options for debt category, subcategory and cause of debt (Is the debt a result of) fields, where applicable Further questions relating to the cause of debt may display depending on the answers provided. Select the appropriate option from the dropdown menus Select the Debt reason code from the dropdown menu After the debt reason is selected, a further description of the debt reason will display. If the debt reason selected is: correct: Select the appropriate Section of the Act from the dropdown menu Update the Calculated amount field with the amount waived Select all applicable options to show how the debt was calculated. Note: multiple selections may be required Add an additional reference and/or Project code, if applicable Select Next Go to Step 8 incorrect: Return to How would you like to select the debt reason field Recommence the selection process
8	Debt component The Debt component table will auto populate and can be manually updated, if required. To: update existing components, select Edit or Delete add a new component, select Add Select Next.
9	Waiver reason The following Debt Information fields will auto populate and cannot be updated manually: Debt ID Debt Status Waiver amount Date waiver applied Section of the Act The Full or partial waiver field will default to Full waiver as the workflow cannot apply partial waivers. Select the appropriate Waiver reason from the dropdown menu: Administrative error Special circumstances Small debt Other: ECS - Longer sentence COD - Class of Debt AUE - Under-estimation of pensioner assets ART - ART settlement CAS - Civil action settled for less than debt JDI - Judgement interest NFA - Notional entitlement to FA NPG - Notional entitlement to Parenting Allowance PGA - Waiver under the PGPA Act PIN - Penalty interest TWC - CCF transitional waiver TWF - FTB transitional waiver Note: the options displayed will depend on the debt type and whether the amount is under the small debt waiver threshold. Complete any additional questions relating to the Waiver reason where applicable.
10	Document wavier decision Automatic document content will populate according to the waiver reason selected and the workflow responses. Add further details explaining the waiver decision in the Waiver comments field. If further information is required, enter this into Do you wish to provide further information field. Does this debt determination require an edit or new entry into the Debt Reference Summary (OPDRS)? field will default to No. If the waiver decision requires an additional reference (e.g. reference to a compensation payment) to be updated on the Debt Reference Summary: Select Yes Update the additional fields displayed Select the appropriate options for the Document list (DL) document property fields from the dropdown menu: Who Contacted Service Reason Channel Enquiry Type Source Select Next.
11	Finalise the transaction Address any errors/warnings shown on the Errors (SWE) screen Select Assess Confirm outcome is correct on Debt Finalisation screen Select Finish Record any additional details of the update, assessment and decision in the Finalisation Note on the Finalise screen Select Finalise to complete the transaction Note: If transaction cannot be finalised in Process Direct, see Handover function in Process Direct, Customer First and Customer Record.

Customer First/Customer Record

On this page:

Identifying eligibility for waiver

Actioning the relevant whole or part waiver

Identifying eligibility for waiver

Table 1

Step	Action
1	Raising or amending the debt Making a decision to waive or not waive a debt can happen before or after: determining the debt, or debt recovery commences If the debt is: Undetermined, staff must consider if waiver is appropriate before raising the debt Determined, staff must consider waiver: when amending the total calculated debt amount below the small debt waiver threshold, or when a customer or nominee makes a request See: Small debt waivers Administrative error waivers Special circumstances debt waivers Actioning an undetermined debt on the Debt Management and Information System (DMIS)) Raising Child Care Subsidy (CCS) debts in Process Direct Changing account details on debts raised in the Debt Management and Information System (DMIS)
2	Debt or interest waiver Raise two separate debts (for undetermined debts), where: part of a debt is to be waived, and part recovered This ensures record correctness for future reassessments and satisfies audit needs. Are there factors relevant to consider debt or interest waiver or has the customer asked for a waiver? Yes, go to Step 3 No, go to Step 7 See the Resources page for a list of debt waiver reasons.
3	Delegation Staff with the appropriate delegation and knowledge in relevant business area can waive a debt. See the References page for a link to Centrelink Services, Delegations and Authorisations. Does the staff member have the main business line experience or delegation to waive the debt or interest? Yes, if the waiver is for: an FTB qualification debt less than the small debt waiver threshold, see Step 2 in Small debt waivers a CCS debt, go to Raising Child Care Subsidy (CCS) debts in Process Direct a debt or interest charge, not covered by the above options, go to Step 6 No, go to Step 4
4	Requesting a waiver Is the relevant debt a Family Tax Benefit (FTB) or Child Care Subsidy (CCS) reconciliation or non-lodgement debt? Yes, go to Step 5 No, for other debts on the record which need to be referred to a different business area, see below Use Fast Note to refer the case to the relevant Debt Team, see the Resources page in Debt Ownership for referral details. Include relevant details for staff to consider, such as: customer details and contact background information into the creation of the debt, outlining the cause and source of debt section of the Act the debt is being waived under debt calculations whether the debt arose from the customer or someone else: knowingly giving a false statement, representation, or omission, or failing to comply with the relevant Act details of the reason for waiver why it is more appropriate to waive the debt rather than write it off See minimum DOC standards for debt waivers and the Resources page in Special circumstances debt waivers for DOC text examples. Refer all other debts which meet the criteria for debt waiver to the relevant business area: staff with debt responsibility, refer the Fast Note to a staff member with the appropriate delegation level all other staff, refer the case to the relevant Debt Team Do not tell the customer if a refund is payable. Payment Assurance Operations will decide this. They may pay a refund or transfer the amount to other outstanding debts. Procedure ends here.
5	FTB and CCS Reconciliation or Non-Lodgement Debts For CCS debts: up to $1,000, use Fast Note - select Auto text, use Families > Reconciliation > Complex CCS reconciliation escalation from $1,000, use the Direct Referral to SSO webform, select: Benefit type MIV-CCS, and Escalation type Debt Waiver procedure ends here from $5,000, refer to local leadership at the EL1 level (or above) for action. Ensure a thorough explanation of the customer circumstances and detailed debt waiver reason is provided for EL1 consideration staff with appropriate delegation to waive CCS debt, see Raising Child Care Subsidy (CCS) debts in Process Direct For FTB debts where waivers require action and staff have the business line experience, for: Administrative Error waiver: APS3 or APS4 debts not exceeding $5,000. For debts over $5,000, refer to SSO using the Direct Referral to SSO webform APS5 and above have no upper limit Special Circumstance waiver: APS3 or APS4 debts not exceeding $5,000. For debts over $5,000, refer to SSO using Direct Referral to SSO webform APS5 or APS6 for amounts not exceeding $15,000 EL1 or above for amounts exceeding $15,000, refer to local leadership for action. Ensure a thorough explanation of the customer circumstances and detailed debt waiver reason is provided for EL1 consideration Staff with appropriate delegation and business line experience to waive FTB debt, go to Step 6.
6	Check if the debt meets the criteria for waiver Decide if the debt or interest meets the criteria for waiver: Administrative error waivers Small debt waivers Special circumstances debt waivers Discount waivers other waiver reasons, see Table 2 on the Resources page Does the debt meet the criteria for waiver? Yes, see Table 2 > Step 1 No, go to Step 7
7	Next appropriate action Consider: if a recovery fee is applicable, see Recovery Fee applied to debts resulting from incorrect declaration of income Recovery of the debt not taking recovery action for a specific period of time (for example temporary write off due to short term hardship) ceasing recovery action permanently because there is no longer a legal right to recover the debt. For example, permanent write off as the customer is deceased and there are no estate or assets) From 1 January 2017, the statute of limitations has been removed from Centrelink debts, raised under the following legislation: Social Security Act 1991 A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 Student Assistance Act 1973, and Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 Note: any debts that had reached the 6 year limitation date before 1 January 2017 remain eligible for statute barring. See Six Year Limitation Write off. Record details of action on a DOC using Fast Note.

Actioning the relevant whole or part waiver

Table 2

Step	Action
1	Code the waiver The appropriately delegated staff member (see Table 1 > Step 4 and Table 1 > Step 5), being the decision maker, codes the waiver. See the References page for a link to Centrelink Services, Delegations and Authorisations. For undetermined debts, the Debt Action script in Customer Record: will ask why the debt or interest needs waiving: select the relevant waiver reason, and follow the screen flow to finalise the activity cannot be used to waive an undetermined debt under small debt waiver provisions. To process, see Table 1 > Step 5 in Small debt waivers For determined debts, the Debt Recovery script in Customer Record: can be used to code a waiver. See Using Debt Scripts in Customer Record cannot be used to waive a determined debt under small debt waiver provisions. See Table 1 > Step 6 in Small debt waivers For finalised fully recovered debts: use the Debt Recovery script in Customer Record to code a waiver. See Using Debt Scripts in Customer Record once the waiver is complete, the Debt Management Information System (DMIS) will: generate an over-recovered activity for the repaid amount. See Refunding debt repayments do not tell the customer if a refund is payable. Payment Assurance Operations will decide this. They may pay a refund or transfer the amount to other outstanding debts use the generated ADEX debt shell to raise the portion of the debt being recovered. Adjust all required details to reflect the actual period and amount being recovered If the waiver amount is for: the whole debt, go to Step 2 part of the debt, go to Step 3
2	Waiving the whole debt If a DMN/NDB activity exists on the Activity List (AL) screen and the whole debt is to be waived, use the: Debt Action script for all waiver reasons (except SDW) 'S'elect the Debt ID to be waived and follow the screen flow for waiver reason SDW, the debt must be manually waived. Go to Step 4 If the Debt Action script is unavailable, go to Step 4. After completing the debt updates, go to Step 5.
3	Waiving part of the debt Use the Debt Action script for all waiver reasons (except SDW): choose the option to create a manual debt shell follow the screen flow make sure the correct details show for the waived portion If only part of the debt is going to be waived: go to the Recovery Fee (OPRF) screen, and manually adjust the recovery fee amount, if appropriate The recovery fee can never be more than 10% of the amount raised. If so, Debt Management Information System (DMIS) will warn the user the OPRF screen needs manual adjustment. For more information, see Effect of waiving a debt on the recovery fee. If the Debt Action script is unavailable, go to Step 4. After completing the debt updates, go to Step 5.
4	Manually waiving a debt Complete updates manually if the Debt Action script is unavailable: Determined: 'S'elect the Debt ID to be waived from the Debt List (OPDL) screen press [Enter] to view the Debt Amount (OPDA) screen complete the required fields. See Table 2 > Step 2 in Changing account details on debts raised in the Debt Management and Information System (DMIS) Undetermined: 'S'elect the DMN/NDB activity on the Activity List (AL) screen press [Enter] to view the Modify/Assess Debt (OPMA) screen complete the required fields. See Table 1 > Step 5 in Actioning an undetermined debt on the Debt Management and Information System (DMIS) When waiving a: debt due to administrative error, the Date of Notification field must be filled in determined debt due to small debt waiver, the system will automatically apply the small debt waiver when the total calculated debt amount is changed to less than the small debt waiver threshold on the OPDA screen. Procedure ends here. Go to the Add Waiver (OPWAA) screen and complete these fields: Debt Amount Waived $, key the amount to be waived Int Chg Amount Waived $, key the amount of interest to be waived Reason Waived, use field help ('?') to locate the correct code Comments, key a brief explanation of why the debt is being waived press [Enter] Finalise activity on the Assessment Finalisation (OPAF) screen. Go to the Recovery Fee (OPRF) screen and complete the relevant fields if the debt is due to personal exertion. Note: waiving a debt and Interest Charge amount in the same activity cannot occur. Complete these actions in 2 separate waiver transactions. Go to Step 5.
5	Tell the customer about the decision If the customer has already been told about the debt: make genuine attempts to contact them to advise of the decision to waive the debt send a Q053 letter if unable to contact, see approved text See General debt raising information for information on the number of genuine attempts to make. Record all details on a DOC using Fast Note. Note: if the debt waiver reason is 'ART,' the DOC on the customer's record must include text outlining that the debt is waived due to Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) settlement waiver. See Minimum DOC standards for debt waivers.