Self help forms
The seven forms below are designed to help you deal with Centrelink when trying
to sort out a Social Security problem. For example, if you are appealing a
Centrelink decision you can complete the "Appealing to an Authorised Review
Officer" form and lodge it at your local Centrelink office. Should you lodge one
of the forms with Centrelink it is best to keep a copy of the form for your
records. If you need assistance or advice when completing one of the forms,
don't hesitate to contact your local Welfare Rights Centre/Advocate.
1. An Act of Grace payment
An Act of Grace payment is a payment which the Minister for Finance and
Deregulation can make to a person in situations where the Minister considers it
appropriate to do so. The Minister must follow guidelines when deciding whether
to grant an Act of Grace payment.
Click
here to view the "Act of Grace request " form which you can fill in your own
details
2. Appealing to an Authorised Review Officer
If you are not happy with a Centrelink decision you have the right to appeal
the decision to an Authorised Review Officer (ARO). An ARO is a senior
Centrelink Officer who is responsible for reviewing decisions made by the
Original Decision Maker. An ARO can overturn a decision made by the Original
Decision Maker. Appealing to an ARO is free.
Click here to
view the "Appealing to An Authorised Review Officer" form which you can fill in
your own details
3. Complaining about Centrelink decisions and service
If you are not happy with Centrelink administrative procedures or service
delivery (as opposed to a Centrelink decision) it is possible to lodge a
complaint. For more information about this, please access the information below.
Complaining about Centrelink decisions and service
4. Dun & Bradstreet
Dun & Bradstreet is a private debt collecting company contracted by
Centrelink. Their job is to collect debts owed by people to Centrelink. When
they are collecting debts on behalf of Centrelink, Dun & Bradstreet must comply
with Centrelink’s “Collection Guidelines”. This means that they must give you an
opportunity to negotiate reasonable repayments that you can afford.
Click here to view the "Information for using the “Dun & Bradstreet” sample
letter which you can fill in your own details
5. "Financial Statement" form
This form may be useful if you need to convince Centrelink that you are in
financial hardship. Examples of when this form may be useful are where you are:
1. negotiating with Centrelink's Debt Recovery Unit about the amount of money
you can afford each fortnight;
2. appealing against the rate of repayment of a debt;
3. asking for a debt to be waived; or
4. asking for a waiting period to be waived.
For more information about providing Centrelink with details about your
financial hardship please access the information below.
Financial statement form
6. Freedom of Information and how to make specific requests to Centrelink
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act allows you to access your Centrelink
files and other records held by Centrelink. It costs nothing to use the FOI Act.
For more information about requesting your file please access the information
below.
Click here to
view the "Freedom of Information and how to make specific requests to
Centrelink" form which you can fill in your own details
7. Information for completing a "Claim for compensation from Centrelink"
form
If you have been financially disadvantaged due to an error by Centrelink, or
due to inadequate or incorrect advice by Centrelink, you may be entitled to
compensation.
Click here to view the
"Claim for compensation from Centrelink" form which you can fill in your own
details