This is a serious crime. The government almost always considers seeking a prison term. If you are charged, let our responsive team of experts manage your defence. Contact Nott and Co Lawyers. We are the most responsive criminal lawyers in NSW and will get you a straight answer in 24 hours. Best possible outcomes at best fixed fee prices.

There are many different forms of Centrelink fraud, including failing to report your income, reporting incorrect earnings, failing to report a change in circumstances and incorrectly declaring a relationship in order to derive extra benefits.

The maximum sentences for the most common Centrelink offences are:

• 10 years imprisonment for the offences of obtaining property or a financial advantage by deception s134.1(1) and s134.2(1) of the Criminal Code),
• 10 years’ imprisonment for the offence of general dishonesty causing a loss (s135.1 (5) of the Criminal Code), and
• 12 months’ imprisonment for an offence of obtaining financial advantage (s135.2(1) of the Criminal Code).

It is important to bear in mind that these are maximums, and that the court has any of the following available to it:

• Section 10 Dismissal
• Conditional Release Order
• Fine
• Community Correction Order
• Intensive Correction Order
• Prison

• Where you were suffering from a mental illness at the time of the offence (mental illness)
• Where your conduct was necessary to prevent serious injury or danger (necessity)
• Where someone threatened or coerced you into committing fraud (duress)

Full time imprisonment is an option open to the Courts, so the charge of Human Trafficking is a serious one. Nott and Co Lawyers will defend your rights if charged. Our experts can negotiate with police, seek to have facts amended, run a dispute facts hearing if required and provide you with a robust defence if you wish to plea not guilty.

If you are in trouble with the law, you need to get legal advice as soon as possible. The most important thing for Nott and Co Lawyers is to get back to you quickly.

Our commitment to anybody who reaches out to us is that we will be back in touch within 24hrs – personally and not via automated message.

People work around the clock these days and Nott and Co Lawyers always has the lights on to make sure that if you need us, you can find us.

Technology is in the DNA of Nott and Co Lawyers. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Facetime, dictation software, and mobile phones are everyday tools that we use to keep costs down for our clients and ensure that our lawyers are accessible.

We have a network of barristers and solicitors from all fields of legal practice. We call upon them for our clients to make sure that legal issues are examined from all angles.