3.6.1 — Overpayments may be detected as a result of data matching exercises. Data matching involves the comparison of client information collected from government departments with the purpose of strengthening fraud control measures.
3.6.2 — Some of the government departments/agencies with which DVA conducts data matching include:
- the Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS), through Centrelink
- the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC)
- the Registrar of Birth, Deaths and Marriages; and
- ComSuper.
Data matching exercises are generally conducted in regular cycles, occurring at different periods for different departments.
3.6.3 — Where there is an identity match, the information is checked and the relevant details are compared. If a discrepancy exists, overpayment investigation is then undertaken. For example, if a pensioner has advised DVA that he/she has no income but has declared taxable income to the ATO, it is likely that an overpayment has occurred.
3.6.4 — The DVA Data Matching Program Clerical Procedures Manual sets out in detail the data matching process and how overpayments may be detected as a result. The information compared includes personal details and tax file numbers. There are strict time limits within which action must be taken if overpayments are detected as a result of data matching - these are set out in the Clerical Procedures Manual. The Clerical Procedures Manual may be obtained from the Compliance and Review Section, Income Support, National Office upon request.