Discretionary Compensation and Waiver of Debt Mechanisms
Overview
The Australian Government may provide discretionary assistance in some cases by act of grace payments, or by waiving debts owed to the Australian Government. In general, this assistance may be granted where it is considered that the Australian Government has a moral responsibility to provide assistance, rather than a legal responsibility.
For further information on the mechanisms and how to apply, visit these links:
Guidance on the act of grace and waiver of debt mechanisms is given in Finance Circular 2009/09. The Circular also includes detailed information on the Scheme for Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration (the CDDA Scheme).
The CDDA Scheme is the avenue for providing assistance where a person has been adversely affected by defective actions or inaction of an Australian Government agency. Responsibility for CDDA claims rests with the Minister responsible for the relevant agency, and with officers authorised by the Minister. Such claims should not be referred to the Finance portfolio.
Submissions
June 2010 – Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee
- Review of Government Compensation Payments
- Appendix 1 - RTF version [
691 KB] - Appendix 1 - PDF version [
792 KB] - Appendix 2 - RTF version [ 629 KB]
- Appendix 2 - PDF version [ 84 KB]
- Appendix 3 - RTF version [
47 KB] - Appendix 3 - PDF version [569 KB]
Further information
For more information, you can telephone the Discretionary Payments Section, Department of Finance and Deregulation on 1800 227 572.Contact for information on this page: sfc@finance.gov.au