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NotMyDebt Stories

We are collecting stories on the site because we think it's important to have a way to people to add their voice to this issue by sharing their story. It's puts a human voice to the issues with using technology and automating systems and providing a blanket solution without providing staff and people that can right wrongs and help people when there is an error. 

Please share your story with us if you have a Centrelink debt story that you believe has been issued in error or due to a fault in the system. 

As frustrating as it is, persist with the appeals process, and know others are behind you. 

Stories are 100% anonymous

Debt amount:
$920
Payment Type:
Family Tax Benefit
Appealing Debt?:
Yes in process
Date debt issued:
5 December 2016

Yes, I had daily calls at 8.30 am every morning on my way to work from a different phone number and I would become upset and anxious.

Debt amount:
$1293
Payment Type:
Austudy
Appealing Debt?:
Yes in process
Date debt issued:
24 November 2016

My anxiety levels are increasing, due to the complexity of the process and non-accountability of the organisations involved.

Debt amount:
$1040
Payment Type:
Family Tax Benefit
Appealing Debt?:
Yes but I lost
Date debt issued:
5 August 2015

I have gone through a part 9 debt agreement I now didn't get money for my daughter as she has turned 18 and can not get my loan for my pension

Debt amount:
$5000
Payment Type:
Parenting Payment
Appealing Debt?:
Yes but I lost
Date debt issued:
2 February 2011

I worked my arse off. Reported my earnings. Sometimes based on estimate, as centrelink ask for. Would even over estimate at times, just for peace of mind.
I had finished up work to have a baby.
2, nearly 3 years up the track, I've been hit with 3 different apparent debts, that, together, add to a neat 5000.

Debt amount:
$9000
Payment Type:
Disability Support Pension
Appealing Debt?:
Yes & I won

It had a emotional breakdown effect on me i wasnt myself through the whole or deal..

Debt amount:
$24500
Payment Type:
Newstart Allowance
Appealing Debt?:
Yes in process
Date debt issued:
14 October 2016

I am dealing with a Centrelink debt like many others. A debt of $24,500. I was on Centrelink from 2011-2014 while I was a casual employee & living on my own & self sufficient.

Debt amount:
$523
Payment Type:
Family Tax Benefit
Appealing Debt?:
Yes & I won
Date debt issued:
16 December 2016

We both work on contracts and don't get paid over the Christmas break and are under enormous financial stress. We tried calling repeatedly but with a demanding baby we had to hang up around the 30 minute point.

Debt amount:
$8786
Payment Type:
Sickness Benefit
Appealing Debt?:
Yes in process
Date debt issued:
1 March 2016

The first that I heard that I had a debt was when the debt collection agency contacted me in January 2016.The debt collection agency gave me 48 hours to contact Centrelink to investigate why I had a debt.

Debt amount:
$934

This putative debt relates to an extremely stressful period when my daughter was very unwell. Revisiting this has been extremely distressing for both of us, and this has been exacerbated by the terrible way in which the process has been handled.

Debt amount:
$905
Date debt issued:
10 January 2016

This was the worst experience I have encountered in a long time. I'm pregnant with shocking morning sickness-first trimester at the time. I got this ridiculous debt that was not calculated correctly (who works consistent hours in retail!?!) amd am told to pay it back or risk having a bad credit rating or going to court.

Debt amount:
$1252
Payment Type:
Parenting Payment
Appealing Debt?:
Yes in process
Date debt issued:
12 September 2016

As a single parent this is not what I needed before Christmas!

Debt amount:
$1500
Payment Type:
Family Tax Benefit
Appealing Debt?:
Yes in process
Date debt issued:
10 January 2016

Yes! I am an underemployed masters graduate with a huge hecs debt, 3kids & no $$!

Debt amount:
$5834
Payment Type:
Youth Allowance
Appealing Debt?:
Yes in process
Date debt issued:
12 August 2016

This has brought up alot of bad memories from a time that I was at a pretty big low, I had been fired from my job, therefore not earning an income which is why I was on centrelink, but the ATO says I was working until the end of the financial year even though I have provided my employment separation certificate on 3 occasions now which states th

Debt amount:
$6181
Payment Type:
Sickness Benefit
Appealing Debt?:
Yes in process
Date debt issued:
12 September 2016

I received a call from Dun & Bradstreet early in December. I had never received any notices from Centrelink as I have moved house several times since 2011. I was accused of being a "welfare cheat", the D&B staffer said I was falsely claiming benefits and working.

Debt amount:
$38000
Payment Type:
Parenting Payment
Appealing Debt?:
Yes in process
Date debt issued:
1 November 2016

Anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, financial stress etc

Debt amount:
$13000
Payment Type:
Family Tax Benefit
Appealing Debt?:
I don't know how to
Date debt issued:
19 October 2016

In ways you have no idea. I haven't been able to contact Centrelink due to personal issues . Have been so disheartened as I have no way to prove anything. The company I'm been accused of under declaring for sold to another client in another town.

Debt amount:
$3670
Payment Type:
Austudy
Appealing Debt?:
Yes in process
Date debt issued:
28 December 2016

Anxiety and finiancial stress. Just entered into a mortgage and having to factor in $50 a week repayment

Debt amount:
$950
Payment Type:
Newstart Allowance
Appealing Debt?:
Unknown

Social Security Minister Christian Porter boasts they’ve raised $300 million in Centrelink ‘debts’ and the majority of those pursued for alleged debts have not complained. I am one of those people. This is my story.

Debt amount:
$1702
Payment Type:
Austudy
Appealing Debt?:
Yes in process
Date debt issued:
3 January 2017

Very stressful. I have recently returned to study so I am not in the financial position to repay a debt such as this. I am confident that I do not owe this money, so am hopeful. I do feel incredibly angry though, and can only think f all the people who have paid unknowingly and been taken advantage of.

Debt amount:
$288
Payment Type:
Sickness Benefit
Appealing Debt?:
I don't know how to
Date debt issued:
2 November 2016

I could easily repay this "debt" but will not out of principal. I had no idea until I watched 7.30 report tonight that this was a widespread problem.

Debt amount:
$3500
Payment Type:
Newstart Allowance
Appealing Debt?:
Yes in process
Date debt issued:
19 December 2016

It was very stressful receiving this just before Christmas. I felt very "unstable and even depressed" I decided not to buy any gifts this year for my kids and nieces and nephews. I made many attempts to call and try to get clarification. They asked for documentation and pay slips from a school that was closed until the end of January.

Debt amount:
$2500
Payment Type:
Parenting Payment
Appealing Debt?:
No

This has affect me a lot as I can't get a Centrelink advance and I use the advances to pay for a lot of my kids school stuff

Debt amount:
$1200
Payment Type:
Newstart Allowance
Appealing Debt?:
Yes but I lost
Date debt issued:
19 July 2016

It has made me very anxious and stressed. I am also very frustrated as I don't believe I owe them anything. They told me I actually overreported in the other reporting cycles but misreported once. There are no case notes so it's my word against theirs.

Debt amount:
$3200
Payment Type:
Austudy
Appealing Debt?:
Yes & I won
Date debt issued:
16 October 2016

Anxiety levels extremely high.
Close to nervous breakdown.
3 months of full hell.
Suicidal?
Involved legal aid

Debt amount:
$3200
Payment Type:
Austudy
Appealing Debt?:
Yes & I won
Date debt issued:
16 October 2016

Anxiety levels extremely high.
Close to nervous breakdown.
3 months of full hell.
Suicidal?
Involved legal aid

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