Getting the letter right before Christmas and going overseas was incredibly difficult. Then had to try and talk to someone at Centrelink about what to do and chase up payslips from employers from over 6 years ago. Lots of extra work and stress. Still waiting for a resolution.
The system seems to be completely broken. I was on a payment for 4 months of the year in which they think I was overpaid. I don't understand how the system was approved. Averaging out a person's income over a year only works for people who are on a salary or stable income. Not for people who work casually or irregular hours, many of whom are on Centrelink and report their income accurately. We are not criminals but are being treated as such. To be told I had to start paying back the debt while I tried to get it reassessed seems completely ridiculous