debt recovery

In its submission, Mental Health Australia has highlighted that Centrelink’s automated debt recovery process is likely to be distressing for customers experiencing mental health issues as they may not have the capacity to acknowledge their debt, fully understand their rights for review, or negotiate repayment. It calls for the Department of Human Services to reinstate a mental health consumer and carer advisory group to inform service protocols and strengthen safeguards to protect against causing undue distress for vulnerable customers.