Told it is almost impossible to prove an administrative error at Centrelinks end

Debt amount:

$2460

Date debt issued:

Monday, 11 January 2016

Period debt occurred:

October 2010 to July 2011

Has your case been referred to a collection agency?:

Payment Type:

Austudy

Appealing Debt?:

Yes but I lost

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

This is what happened to me, and I am one of those people who keeps record of all payslips and letters from Centrelink even those over 6 years ago, proof I was honest.
At first I thought the debt letter I received in the mail was a scam, Centrelink didn't have my married name or my current address.
After contacting Centrelink i began the process of appeal but had to give up the appeal as it may have started to cost me legal fees. I am working full-time now and trying to prove my innocence was incredible stressfully, it took up all my free time for about 2 months, I got anxiety and it effected me as a person, I was down, sad at work and really fatigued. I was emotionally tearful and felt bullied by the direct nature of the letters demand.
I did get some help along the way, but was told it is almost impossible to prove an administrative error at Centrelinks end.
I provided all employment and study history again to Centrelink, over the phone and in person.

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

I felt the letter I received was a scam initially. Demanding so much money with less than a month to pay it.
I was treated as if I was a liar. Even after submitting evidence, their ARO 'Authorised Review Officer' still denied my appeal, and I am now paying $30 a week until 2018.