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They were supposed to help me not fuck me over

Debt amount: 
$16000
Date debt issued: 
Wednesday, 17 July 2019
Period debt occurred: 
January 2012 to December 2016
Has your case been referred to a collection agency?: 
No
Payment Type: 
Austudy
Appealing Debt?: 
Yes in process
Tell us about your debt and how has this affected you? e.g. anxiety levels, financial and accommodation stress: 

I was working casually >20hrs &>200 weekly wage - in that time Frame they told me I wasn’t earning much and so I didn’t have to report for this and now they say I didn’t report so I have to pay back.
They initially notified me asking for all my payslips for 4 years during my exam period and it’s been 2 months of back and forth with both stress emotional/financial and lots of confusion and frustration. I’m supposed to be saving up for placements with uni; not paying back a debt I didn’t know I was creating by asking for help from the government during full time study. Had I known I would have reported! I’m at my wits end! I thought I was doing the right thing.

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

Everyone on the phone has actually been quiet helpful but I am yet to write an appeal as I’m trying to find free legal advise first