According to a statement from Services Australia, it’s “soon”.

The government department has revealed that it will be writing to anyone eligible for a refund from mid-July, where those people made repayments on income compliance debts where the debt was raised using averaging of Australian Taxation Office income information.

In cases where no money has been paid towards an eligible debt, Services Australia has indicated that debt would be reduced to zero.

A small number of refunds will be rolled out from early July to test out the refund system.

Robodebt Refunds will then be made from late-July, and Services Australia outlined that it expects most refunds to be paid by the end of November 2020.

Refunds will include repayments of any recovery fees and interest charges that were applied to the debt, while larger refunds will be paid out in installments, according to Services Australia.

What is the process for refunds?

Services Australia said there will be two separate processes for refunds, depending on whether or not you currently receive payments from the government.

If you do currently receive payments, you do not need to get your refund.

If you do not currently receive a Services Australia payment, you’ll need to update your details from late July using your Centrelink online account through myGov.

The government first indicated that it would be refunding all repayments made on debts that were raised wholly or partially using income leveraging of ATO data in late May. 

This was followed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison offering his “deep regret” to individuals who were affected by the scheme. 

In June, he said, “I would deeply regret any hardship that has been caused to people in the conduct of that activity.”

“The business of raising and recovering debts on behalf of taxpayers is a difficult job,” he commented.

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About the author

Grace Ormsby

Grace is a journalist on Momentum Media's nestegg. She enjoys being able to provide easy to digest information and practical tips for Australians with regard to their wealth, as well as having a platform on which to engage leading experts and commentators and leverage their insight.

Grace is a journalist on Momentum Media's nestegg. She enjoys being able to provide easy to digest information and practical tips for Australians with regard to their wealth, as well as having a platform on which to engage leading experts and commentators and leverage their insight.