Drop in number of outstanding Queensland Health overpayments

The number of outstanding overpayments owed by current or former Queensland Health employees has dropped by more than 12,000 during the term of the Palaszczuk Government.

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Cameron Dick said latest figures for Queensland’s 16 Hospital and Health Services showed that the outstanding balance of overpayments had fallen from $69.47 million in February 2015 to $38.29 million last month.

Mr Dick said 21,639 or almost 70 per cent of the 31,873 overpayments still outstanding were for less than $1000.

Of the remainder, 8838 were for amounts between $1000 and $5000, while 1396 were for overpayments of more than $5000.

Mr Dick said the outstanding overpayments largely related to the period 2010 to 2013 when automatic repayments were introduced.

The overpayments excluded people who had a repayment plan in place and employees whose debts were being automatically recovered through the payroll system.

“I am pleased that the debt profile has decreased, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that a payroll bungle of such proportions should never have happened in the first place.

“I have publicly apologised for what happened, and I do so again.

“The money that has been recovered has been able to be spent providing vital health services for the people of Queensland.”

Mr Dick said with 106,000 pay cheques generated fortnightly – totalling $327 million – it was inevitable that there would be some payroll errors.

“Overpayments to Queensland Health employees account for about 0.4 per cent of the total payroll amount,” Mr Dick said.

“The majority of overpayments arise from pay period adjustments where rostered shifts may be paid but not worked as planned due to unplanned leave such as sick leave, shift changes or other circumstances.

“Of all identified overpayments, 86.5 per cent are fully recovered within three months.

“Approximately 90 per cent of all new overpayments are fully recovered within 12 months.”

Mr Dick said the Queensland Health rostering and payroll environment was large and complex.

“Staff are employed under two different Acts, covered by nine different industrial awards, impacted by six different industrial agreements which include more than 200 different allowances,” he said.

“I thank any staff members who have been overpaid and are making a repayment for their patience and diligence.

“In accordance with the Financial Accountability Act 2009 and Queensland Health’s HR Policy, it is the responsibility of Queensland Health to recover overpayments made to current and former employees.

“The payroll system, policies and procedures are the same as those the Newman-Nicholls LNP Government left us.

“The Department has clear, transparent and empathetic processes established to resolve outstanding overpayments in accordance with legislation and departmental policy.

“I encourage all current and former employees to work with Queensland Health to resolve their outstanding overpayments.

“I also encourage anyone who is struggling to repay an overpayment to discuss hardship provisions with their case manager.”

Employees also contact the Department of Health Streamline Hotline on 1800 239 074, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

The accompanying table details the number of employees with outstanding overpayments at 4 June, 2017 and 1 February, 2015.

ENDS

Media contact:

Emma McBryde 0447 155 322