First steps
Social Security Debt Help is a free resource to help you understand Centrelink debts that you, or someone you’re supporting, have been asked to repay. Social Security Debt Help is a project of Social Security Rights Victoria, a free community legal service based in Victoria, providing specialist legal services for Centrelink and social security issues. Social Security Debt Help can be used by anyone, anywhere in Australia.
To help us direct you to the best help for your situation, please tell us which best describes you.
Thank you. If you’re not sure where to start, we suggest reading about what Centrelink Debts are or starting with our guided Self Help Tool.
Thank you. You can speak to someone about your Centrelink debt. You can find a service close to you here.
Social Security Debt Help has been developed to help with overpayments of specific Centrelink payments. These are:
- Jobseeker Payment/Newstart Allowance
- Youth Allowance
- Disability Support Pension
- Parenting Payment (Single)
- Sickness Allowance
- Austudy Payment
- Carer Payment
- Parenting Payment (Partnered)
- Special Benefit
- Age Pension
- Carer Allowance
- Rent Assistance
The rules which apply to a debt are different depending on which payment it is for. If your debt was for a payment that isn’t on this list, the rules are likely to be different. You may still find this website helpful, but you should get legal advice to ensure you understand all the rules that apply to your debt.
Social Security Debt Help has information about Centrelink debts, challenging debts, and options for repaying a debt. We know this can be overwhelming. If you’re unsure where to start, What Are Centrelink Debts is a good place to begin. Each page has a button at the top that will take you to the next most appropriate topic. Or, you can use our Self Help Tool and you’ll be provided with a summary of your options and suggestions for further reading.
We’d like to know who’s using Social Security Debt Help. It helps us keep the resource online for free, as well as improve the resource. You can help by answering one question now, and by providing feedback before you leave.
