As part of its assessment of applications and when processing payments, the FAS may identify integrity issues with applications or documentation. This can include where the FAS identifies inconsistencies or concerns about the material provided in or in support of an application or related to a payment.
Examples of integrity issues can include:
- statutory declarations that contain false or misleading information
- invoices that contain conflicting, incorrect or altered information (such as altered payment amounts or invoices that have been stamped as paid when no payment has been made)
- invoices that have been created for companies or stores that do not exist
- reports that appear to be a “copy-paste” of other reports where only the applicant’s name has been changed and where the authorised representative has appeared to draft the report.
The FAS will approach integrity and information consistency issues with proportionality and in a way that is victim-centred and trauma informed when these relate to an applicant. If the FAS identifies a potential integrity issue with an application or documentation, the FAS will seek clarification or an explanation from the applicant, their authorised representative or service provider in the first instance.
If the FAS’ clarification with the applicant, authorised representative or service provider does not resolve the integrity concern or issue, the FAS may escalate the concern for further enquiries.
Where conduct is significant enough to suggest fraud or that the victim deliberately provided false or misleading information as part of their application, the FAS may consider this as part of the character assessment. Under the FAS Act, as the FAS must take into account the victim’s character, behaviour and attitude and may refuse the application or reduce the amount of assistance paid on character grounds.
Updated