Claimed Carer's payment to care for my dad who experienced an injury. During Christmas break from studies, I worked and only realised I had to tell Centrelink after the busy boxing day sale period. So I incurred a $2000 debt - fair enough I paid it off straight away. I went into Centrelink and told them that I will be studying full time (they have my study schedule and hours) while working as a casual at a retail store. They said it's fine as long as I report my income and hours every fortnight online (which I did religiously). So the clerk set up the reporting system for me.
6 months later, I called Centrelink to cancel the Carer's Payment as I have just signed for a full time job. Instead, I was told on the spot that I actually have a $6500 debt because of my casual work during the 6 months. The clerk told me that the Centrelink website was suppose to display an error message and prompt me to call Centrelink rather than let me successfully report my income and work hours fortnightly. She said it is Centrelink's fault and that I shouldn't have such a debt and to appeal.
I appealed but to no avail. Now my debt is being deducted. The money goes straight to mortgage (I am the only one in the family who pays for mortgage). I no longer have my full time job as it was just an internship for a year - so now I'm studying full time and not workiing, with only a $300 to spend on my studies, phone bill and myself each month.
Appealing was stressful, and only for my pleas to be ignored has made me lose faith in Centrelink and government bodies. I have also become too anxious about working while receiving this payment. I am now focusing on finishing my studies and get a full time job quickly to pay off the debt and never rely on Centrelink again.
It seemed like Centrelink was quick in chasing up the debt but did not admit that they were also at fault.