Fed govt using data matching technology to help recover millions

The federal government is using data matching technology to help it can recover tens of millions of dollars from former welfare recipients who owe it money.

Some of the debtors may have their tax refunds garnished as Centrelink and the Australian Tax Office automatically match data on a daily basis.

The cross-checking begins on July 1 and the government hopes to recover more than $71 million over four years.

Human Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says the government has a responsibility to taxpayers to recover debts.

The debts were incurred because recipients inadvertently or intentionally claimed a benefit for which they were not entitled.

The new data matching link is expected to increase the number of former recipients identified for cross checking by an additional 65,000.

Centrelink is writing to more than 90,000 people with outstanding debts who are not receiving a payment from Centrelink or the Family Assistance Office.

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