13Debts of less than $2,000

13 Debts of less than $2,000

(1) This section limits section 6A of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and applies in relation to a particular relevant debt in a person’s application only if, in the records of Services Australia, the debt reason code assigned to the debt matches an eligible debt reason code.

Note: Manual assessment otherwise applies.

(2) For subparagraph 3(1)(h)(ii) of Schedule 3 but subject to subsection (3), in relation to each relevant debt in a person’s application, a computer program arranged by the Secretary may be used only to make a decision that the person is entitled to be paid a resolution payment under the scheme and the amount of the payment if all of the following circumstances apply: (a) the debt value of the debt under section 9 is less than $2,000; (b) the debt is taken to be reasonably likely to be attributable to a prescribed income apportionment method; (c) the records of Services Australia do not include a record that the person has been prosecuted for fraud under a law of the Commonwealth in relation to a benefit or payment under a prescribed Act; (d) the person meets the other requirements of the scheme. (3) Despite subsection (2), a computer program may not be used to make a decision in relation to a relevant debt in a person’s application if the application is made: (a) after 29 January 2027, unless the Secretary is satisfied under subsection 10(7) that special circumstances exist; or (b) by a correspondence nominee; or (c) by another person acting as the lawful representative of the person in relation to whom the application is made; or (d) by a personal representative acting under section 30. (4) For paragraph (2)(b), the debt is taken to be reasonably likely to be attributable to a prescribed income apportionment method only if, in the records of Services Australia, the debt reason code assigned to the debt matches an eligible debt reason code. (5) A decision under this section is taken to be a decision of the Secretary. (6) This section does not apply if the application is for the review of a decision under Part 5. (7) In this section:

eligible debt reason code means a code listed in column 2 of the table in Schedule 1.