✦ Plain-English Summary

Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Responding to Robodebt) Bill 2025 [No. 2]

What it does

This bill makes it mandatory for the government to waive (cancel) any social security debt that was caused solely by a mistake made by the Department of Human Services. It applies to three types of payments: Family Tax Benefits, regular social security payments, and student assistance loans.

Why it matters

If you were wrongly told you owed money because the government made an error, you'll now have that debt automatically cancelled rather than having to fight for it. This directly responds to the robodebt scandal, where hundreds of thousands of Australians were incorrectly pursued for repayment.

Key details

• Mandatory waiver: The Secretary must waive debts caused by Commonwealth administrative errors—there's no discretion or appeal process needed from you
• Three payment types covered: Family Tax Benefits, social security payments (like JobSeeker), and student loans all get the same protection
• Comes into effect immediately: The law applies from the day after Parliament approves it
• Family violence protections also included: The bill adds separate provisions allowing debt waivers in family violence circumstances (details in Part 2 of the amendments)

Official Description

Amends the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 , Social Security Act 1991 , Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Student Assistance Act 1973 to respond to certain recommendations of the Report of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme.

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