Centrelink Offences/Fraud

It is a criminal offence to receive a benefit from the Department of Social Security, or Centrelink dishonestly. The Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, prescribes specific offences for persons who commit such offences. Some examples are:

• Obtaining a Newstart allowance and failing to declare part-time earnings.
• Obtaining a single parent allowance and failing to declare a live-in defacto relationship.
• Obtaining an invalid pension and failing to disclose full time employment.
• Obtaining payment for children not in your care.
• Collecting rent assistance when rent is not being paid.
• Using more than one name to access benefits.
• Over-claiming benefits without any present entitlement.