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Service Officer role in setting up Employer Withholding (EW) linking 277-04140010

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This document outlines information about the role of a Service Officer in setting up EW linking.

Customer has no ongoing liability and debt will be recovered in one deduction

When employer withholding is established for a customer who has no ongoing liability, and their debt will be recovered in one deduction, the PAD7-1 and PAD6-2 letters issue to the employer as cessation letters. The letter advises the last pay date to deduct, as opposed to the starting deductions letter. This is causing employer confusion. Until a Cuba enhancement is progressed to correct this letter issue, do not establish EWA in these instances. Consider issuing a s72A notice to collect the debt.

Roles and responsibilities

Service Officers:

  • identify when Services Australia must set up deductions from a customer’s pay
  • contact the customer
  • identify the right employer
  • process Elections for EW not to apply
  • refer appropriate cases to Employer Services (ES)
  • request the ending of deductions from a customer’s pay

Employer Services Officers (ESO):

  • check the referral to ensure suitability for linking
  • provide advice to Service Officers where the link is not appropriate
  • establish and maintain EW link at the request of a Service Officer
  • amend and end EW with the employer

The Resources page contains links to macros, letters and external websites.

Employer Service Officer (ESO) role in setting up Employer Withholding (EW) linking

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