Documents relating to (LEX 89128): Operational Blueprint document: Financial Institution (FI) garnishees to recover debts 107-05050020 (effective from 15 December 2025) Training Material - Debt…

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Services Australia released operational guidance on financial institution (FI) garnishee procedures for debt recovery, effective December 15, 2025. The document outlines debt recovery staff responsibilities when placing garnishee notices on customer bank accounts. Key operational requirements include: staff must review customer records thoroughly and attempt voluntary contact before pursuing garnishee action; garnishee can only proceed if customers fail to enter reasonable repayment arrangements or default on existing arrangements; decisions to proceed must be documented by APS 5/6 officers; and garnishees must leave reasonable amounts for daily living expenses, potentially resulting in partial rather than full debt recovery. The guidance emphasizes using "common sense and sound judgment" when determining garnishee amounts to ensure cost-effectiveness. Commonwealth Bank is specified as accepting only electronic Q608 information request letters. Portions of both the operational blueprint and associated training materials on alternative recovery methods (October 2024) were withheld under Section 47E