Determining if notification of a debt to an assurer can be delayed while the assuree seeks refuge from family and domestic violence 003-12050030

The Services Australia social worker will discuss the situation with the assuree before any contact with the assurer is made.

It is recognised that advising the assurer of an anticipated debt will also mean that they will be made aware that the assuree plans to leave the relationship/home. This may increase a customer’s level of risk in certain family and domestic violence situations. The intention of this procedure is to delay notification of a debt to the assurer(s) while the assuree ensures their ongoing safety from family and domestic violence.

The social worker will assess the customer's current situation and level of risk if the assurer is advised of their claim, seek third party verification of the circumstances (where possible) and offer appropriate support.

The social worker can contact the Assurance of Support (AoS) National team and arrange for the automated notification sent by Services Australia to the assurer that a debt will be raised due to their assuree claiming income support be suppressed. The intention is that this delay in debt notification may create an opportunity for the assuree to leave the family and domestic violence situation.

In most cases, an initial 3 month period is enough time for the assuree to safely relocate so that they are not vulnerable or at risk of further violence by. However, if the social worker determines that there is continued risk to the assuree they may ask the AoS team to suppress advices for up to, but no more than, a further 3 months.

Six months is the maximum period that the assurer goes without being notified of their accruing AoS debt. It is important to remember the assurer must be notified of this accruing debt, and notification delays may also exacerbate risk which will be assessed by the social worker.

In line with a zero tolerance approach to harm of children, if a staff member in the course of their duties observes behaviour, which raises concerns about a child or young person's safety, Services Australia sets out specific steps that must be taken. Follow the agency's Risk Identification and Reporting model when identifying and responding to child safety concerns. See Risk identification and management of threats to the safety or welfare of a child for more information regarding this model and the agency's commitment to the safety of children and young people.