WA Centrelink Fraud Hearing - Any Ideas?

[Kittykatie180]

I have to appear in court in Western Australia for fraud from Centrelink. I am worried this may be a jail sentence. Any ideas?

 

[Alan Weiss]

I would recommend that you see a legal advice from your local legal aid office.

 

[Worldly1]

Hi @Kittykatie180
Have a read of these previous LawAnswers posts that relate to your question:

• "Charged with Centrelink Fraud for Second Time".
• "Centrelink Fraud - How Should I Own Up To It?".

The maximum penalty includes jail time as an option, so it depends on factors like the seriousness of your offence and your history - but there may well a fine in addition to you paying back what you owe. Its best to get personalised legal advice from a lawyer in these serious situations.

 

[Phildo]

There will be a particular charge.

If you find the relevant Act on the WA State Law Publisher web site then you'll be able to see the possible penalties.

State Law Publisher - Western Australia

 

[willow]

I have to appear in court in Western Australia for fraud from Centrelink. I am worried this may be a jail sentence. Any ideas?

How did you go katie? I have voluntarily dobbed myself in for the same thing. Under reported for 18 months. I can pay back 10k as soo as I know the debt I gave centrelink my payslips from my work for the whole time the other day and I’m waiting to hear what the debt is so I can whack $10k on it. I am afraid of being prosecuted and what it will do to my children (if I go to jail) and my career. I didn’t know that I could be prosecuted. True, I am a dickhead. I know.

 

[willow]

I was desperate. And I had had a stroke and going through family court, working and studying. It has been an extremely difficult time.

 

[Sjsa]

How did you go katie? I have voluntarily dobbed myself in for the same thing. Under reported for 18 months. I can pay back 10k as soo as I know the debt I gave centrelink my payslips from my work for the whole time the other day and I’m waiting to hear what the debt is so I can whack $10k on it. I am afraid of being prosecuted and what it will do to my children (if I go to jail) and my career. I didn’t know that I could be prosecuted. True, I am a dickhead. I know.

Hi willow

I’m in a similar position to you, I also dobbed myself in last August 2018 but haven’t heard a thing from Centrelink after giving them my husbands payslips. Can I get an update on your situation? Thanks