Not everyone with Centrelink is a dole bludger and I certainly pay enough tax to cover it

Debt amount:

$4700

Date debt issued:

Wednesday, 20 January 2016

Period debt occurred:

January 2017 to November 2017

Has your case been referred to a collection agency?:

Yes

Payment Type:

Austudy

Appealing Debt?:

I don't know how to

Tell us about your debt and how has this affected you? e.g. anxiety levels, financial and accommodation stress:

After a career change and 10 months I full time study in a new professional field supported by Austudy I spent 3 months working a casual job 60+ hours a week before moving to take full time employment in my new field. This month I received a phone call saying my wages were going to be garnished if payment ($4700, which is the total payments received in the first place) was not received immediately and that the debt was outstanding for a year already. I had had no dealings with Centrelink before or after 2013 so had no reason to update my address with them and had moved with work at least 10 times in that period. They have said I earned over the threshold for the financial year disregarding the fact it was earned after my study was completed. At this stage I would have preferred they hadn't paid me anything in the first place as the headache for the amount received wasn't worth it.

How do you feel about the way the Government has handled this process?:

Gutted. Not everyone with Centrelink is a dole bludger and I certainly pay enough tax to cover it.