Currently renting, studying and working part-time.

Currently renting, studying and working part-time. Retrieved a debt letter in my letter box last week. Firstly I thought this can't be real, has to be a scam, then my gut sank. Closer inspection revealed this debt has come from Centrelink and handed on to a debt collection service. I rang Centrelink to enquirer why I wasn't notified of any issues and have a debt letter? Surely they should of notified me of an issue before sending a debt collector.

I was unemployed in 2013-2014, mid to late 2014 I got casual work. Hours changed it was never permanent, some weeks a minimum of 6 hours and other weeks none or a bit more. I reported my earnings truthfully in this period and gave them copies of pay slips, I had many conversations with them and nothing was wrong. Now a few years later they say the data is showing I hadn't reported correctly. They said they have data saying I earned 800$ for a fortnight and didn't report it and received the full benefit.. I'm thinking this is crazy, I believe I did everything as they asked, reported and contacted them of any changes in my work situation and didn't receive any benefits at times..

I've spent two days off from study to look into what's going on? I've emailed my work from that period requesting pay slips and commencing date, contacted the ATO to request my earnings for the year and phone calls with Centrelink. I'm drained!! Still gotta chase up bank statements also. Hoping I can get as much information together before I have to take it into Centrelink. Hopefully I can find where the issue occurred and solve this mess!

Working and studying part time while renting is hard enough, with a $4300 debt to manage as well, challenging times ahead if I have to pay it...