Case managed debt recovery 107-20112320
This document outlines the recovery process for customers managed by case managers in the Specialist Recovery Team (SRT) and Taskforce Recovery Team (TRT). These teams form part of the Debt and Compensation Recovery Operations Branch.
On this page:
Outbound contact attempts and investigation
Action required by SRT Officer
Closing a case managed recovery case
New case managed customer
Table 1
Step |
Action |
1 |
Select process stage + Read more ... For:
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2 |
Suitable for case managed recovery + Read more ... Cases are assigned through individual case allocation or by selecting Ready in Workload Management (WLM). Review the customer record to determine if the case is suitable for case managed recovery. Consider:
If the case is not suitable for case managed recovery, discuss this with the Operational Leader (OL). The OL may unassign the customer if appropriate. Litigation case managers may also unassign a customer if appropriate after discussion with the Senior Litigation Officer. |
3 |
Add a Display on Access (DOA) DOC + Read more ... Create a DOA DOC to show who is managing the customer, where to transfer customer calls and debt recovery activities:
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4 |
Apply an Actor Relationship + Read more ... The Actor Relationship creates a workload manager relationship between a case manager and individual Customer Reference Number (CRN), it:
The Work Optimiser manages the Actor relationships. Note: an allocation group is required before applying the actor relationship. See Work Optimiser for staff. This is completed by either a Team Leader (TL) or OL. To add an actor relationship:
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5 |
Create a customer case file + Read more ... Create a customer case file to record search results, checklists and garnishee submissions, letters of demand submissions, briefs and other customer related correspondence:
Save all documents using format YYYY-MM-DD - SURNAME, First name - Action. For example, ‘2020-10-01 - SMITH, Mary - SRT/TRT referral’. |
Outbound contact attempts and investigation
Table 2
Step |
Action |
1 |
Review the customer’s record and any referral documents + Read more ... Check for information about the customer's capacity to pay, such as:
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2 |
Review the customer's record + Read more ... Before contacting the customer, prepare for the call by reviewing these screens:
The SRT/TRT case manager may choose to:
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3 |
Make genuine contact attempts + Read more ... Send a pre-call SMS before every contact attempt if the customer:
Make 2 genuine attempts to contact the customer on all available numbers. Review the ACCC guidelines to ensure contact attempts are not excessive. See the Resources page for a link. If the contact attempt is successful with customer engagement, go to Step 5. If the attempt did not result in a successful engagement with the customer, check the AL screen. If there is:
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4 |
Send a contact letter + Read more ... If it is likely the customer may not be aware of their debt(s), send a Q164 letter as this gives the customer 15 days to respond. See Safeguarding customer privacy when raising and recovering debts, before issuing the contact letter. Take the appropriate actions to protect the customer’s privacy. DOC the record and include the address to which the letter was sent. Hold the No Arrangement activity on the AL screen for 15 days. If there is no open activity on the AL screen, the case manager is to create a manual review on the RVR screen and complete the fields for allocation in 15 days:
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5 |
Send a contact letter with final option + Read more ... If the customer is aware of their debts, use the Debt Recovery script to send a 'Contact letter with final option' (Q190) as this gives the customer 15 days to respond. See Safeguarding customer privacy when raising and recovering debts, before issuing the contact letter. Take the appropriate actions to protect the customer’s privacy. DOC the record and include the address to which the letter was sent. If the script created a held DMN/DOC activity on the AL screen, finalise the activity. Hold the No Arrangement activity on the AL screen for 15 days. If there is no open activity on the AL screen, the case manager is to create a manual review on the RVR screen and complete the fields for allocation in 15 days:
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6 |
Discuss reason for the call + Read more ... Safeguard the customer's privacy before discussing the reason for the call. See Calling a customer or returning a customer's call and Call and screen recording – information and access. Discuss the current outstanding balance and any payment arrangements. If the customer queries the debt reason, ask them what they would like to do or know about the decision. Ask appropriate questions to understand the customer's enquiry so their concerns can be addressed or referred to the relevant business area. Staff can contact local leadership if the matter is complex or if they need support to give a satisfactory response to the customer. If there is no open activity on the AL screen, the case manager is to create a manual review on the RVR screen and complete the fields for allocation in 15 days:
If the customer wants a further explanation of the debt or a review:
Otherwise, continue with the debt discussion, go to Step 7. |
7 |
Acceptable repayment arrangement + Read more ... Complete the Arranging cash repayments to recover debts process. If the customer entered into an acceptable payment arrangement:
Otherwise, go to Step 8. |
8 |
Interim repayment arrangement + Read more ... An interim payment arrangement is based on a customer's individual financial circumstances. These arrangements can be reviewed as a customer’s circumstances change. If there is doubt about the customer’s financial circumstances, following the financial assessment conversation, a more detailed financial assessment may be conducted. See Financial circumstance assessment for debt recovery. Did the customer complete the financial circumstance assessment and enter into an interim arrangement?
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9 |
Refusal to enter into a reasonable repayment arrangement + Read more ... Document the call including if the customer intends to call back at a more suitable time for them or refused to enter an arrangement. Hold the No Arrangement activity on the AL screen for the date the customer has agreed to call back. Did the customer refuse to enter into a repayment arrangement?
If there is no open activity on the AL screen, the case manager is to create a manual review for the date the customer has agreed to call back/check on progress:
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Other searches
Table 3
Step |
Action |
1 |
Financial Institution (FI) account + Read more ... Check the customer's record to locate the customer’s FI accounts by reviewing these screens:
Was an account located that requires further information from the FI?
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2 |
Requesting information from third parties + Read more ... Use the Financial Information Exchange (FIE) tool to request account information from the Commonwealth Bank. See Electronic Data Exchange with Financial Institutions tool. Send a manual letter using the approved Notice to third parties for information QSS40 letter template (refer to the SharePoint Bank List for correct entity and address details if applicable), and:
DOC the record and include the details and relevant legislation for requesting the information. Hold the No Arrangement activity on the AL screen for 15 days. If there is no open activity on the AL screen, the case manager is to create a manual review for 15 days:
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3 |
Employment lead + Read more ... Attempt to locate an employment lead through:
Ensure the employment information relates to the customer and not the partner. If a data match identifies a potential employer, the customer must be notified of the match via a Q289 letter before any contact is made with the employer. This includes calling the potential employer to speak to the customer at work. See Single Touch Payroll debt recovery data match or Tax File Number Declaration Form (TDF) Debtor matching reviews. Was an employment lead located?
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4 |
Contact customer + Read more ... Make 2 genuine attempts to contact the customer via the employer over 2 days. Was the customer contacted?
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5 |
Q609 letter + Read more ... All requests for information from an employer must be in writing. Do not request this information over the phone. Use the Debt Recovery script to issue an 'Ask employer for employment details' (Q609) letter. Address to 'Attention Payroll' and mark 'Private and Confidential'. DOC the record, including the address to which the letter is sent. Hold the No Arrangement activity on the AL screen for 15 days. If there is no open activity on the AL screen, the case manager is to create a manual review for 15 days:
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6 |
Returned Correspondence + Read more ... To review returned correspondence, check Customer First:
After reviewing the information, DOC the record and close the scanned image. Does the returned correspondence provide new customer contact details, employment information or financial institution relationships?
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7 |
Sufficient funds + Read more ... Consider if a Financial Institution (FI) garnishee is appropriate, see: Is a FI garnishee appropriate?
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8 |
Wage garnishee + Read more ... Consider if a wage garnishee is appropriate, see: Is a wage garnishee appropriate?
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9 |
Bank Garnishee submission + Read more ... Complete the bank garnishee submission template. Save the submission in the customer case file. Send the completed submission to an Operational Leader (OL) for review and approval. SRT/TRT litigation case manager may approve their own bank garnishee as APS 5. A Debt Redress Check must be actioned and approved before implementing the garnishee. Hold the No Arrangement activity on the AL screen for 5 days. If there is no open activity on the AL screen, the case manager is to create a manual review for 5 days:
Did the OL approve the garnishee submission?
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10 |
Place the garnishee + Read more ... For:
Is the debt paid in full?
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11 |
Confirmation of property ownership + Read more ... Check if a customer owns property. Go to:
RP Data shows potential property ownership for properties in VIC, NSW, QLD or WA when searching via name. If a customer needs to be searched via name in a state outside of VIC, NSW, QLD or WA an Equifax Search should be considered. For a RP Data search:
Save returned searches in the customer's case file. DOC the record. If the search was successful, include:
Does the customer own property that can be used to recover their debt?
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12 |
Equifax searches + Read more ... Only complete an Equifax search after:
Equifax gathers:
Open Equifax and complete searches relevant to the customer:
Save search results in the customer's case file. DOC the record. Did Equifax provide new information?
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13 |
Specialised Recovery Team Litigation referral + Read more ... Consider a referral to the Specialised Recovery Team (SRT) if the customer has:
If the customer is suitable for a referral to SRT Litigation, complete the referral template. Save the submission in the customer case file. Send the completed referral to the team positional mailbox or OL if a positional mailbox is not available. Hold the No Arrangement activity on the AL screen for 5 days for response from SRT Litigation. If there is no open activity on the AL screen, the case manager is to create a manual review for 5 days:
Has SRT accepted the case?
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14 |
Identified travel pattern + Read more ... A Departure Prohibition Order (DPO) prevents customers with an identified travel pattern from leaving the country. Review if the customer has a pattern of overseas travel by checking:
Does the customer have a pattern of overseas travel? |
15 |
DPO referral + Read more ... |
Action required by SRT Officer
Table 4
Step |
Action |
1 |
Departure Prohibition Order (DPO) warnings + Read more ... Issue a DPO warning. Use the Debt Recovery script to send a Q190 letter, which gives the customer 23 days to respond. See Safeguarding customer privacy when raising and recovering debts, before issuing the Q190 letter. Take the appropriate actions to protect the customer’s privacy. If the customer has:
DOC the record include:
Hold the No Arrangement activity on the AL screen for 14 days. If there is no open activity on the AL screen, the case manager is to create a manual review for 14 days:
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2 |
Delivery Confirmation + Read more ... After 14 days, use the Australia Post online tracking section to confirm delivery:
See the Resources page for a link to the Australia Post. If the customer has received the notice, it will display as Delivered. Does the online tracking system confirm delivery of the Q190?
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Closing a case managed recovery case
Table 5
Step |
Action |
1 |
Reasons to close a case managed recovery (CMR) case + Read more ... Close the CMR case after achieving an outcome such as:
Does the case meet the criteria to close?
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2 |
Recovery options exhausted (ROE) + Read more ... Run the Recovery Options Exhausted Fast Note and ensure the activity is linked to the Fast Note. For instructions, see Outbound customer contact and gathering information when recovering debts. |
3 |
To expire the SRT/TRT display on access (DOA) DOC + Read more ... In Customer Record:
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4 |
Remove the Civil Action if on customer record + Read more ... End date the civil action:
Note: debts with a zero balance may still hold OPCV coding. End OPCV coding including if debt balances are zero. |
5 |
Update Workload Manager (WLM) Actor Relationships + Read more ... To update WLM Actor Relationships:
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6 |
Finalise customer case file + Read more ... To finalise case:
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