A Wandandian woman who pleaded guilty to defrauding the Commonwealth of more than $27,000 has been ordered to repay the money and undertake 180 hours community service.
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Bernadette Parker, 35, pleaded guilty to the charge of receiving financial advantage from a Commonwealth entity.
In a case brought by the Department of Human Services, the court heard Parker was receiving a Newstart allowance at a higher rate than she was entitled.
Court papers stated she received the allowance between June 2012 and October 2015, despite having two casual and part times jobs.
Court papers stated during the time she worked with Woolworths and the St Georges Basin IGA she failed to declare that income to Centrelink.
During the period it is alleged she earnt close to $96,000 or on average $1126 per fortnight.
At the same time she was also receiving a Newstart allowance.
Court papers stated she had received more than $32,000 in social security benefits, when she was only eligible to receive $5267 and had therefore been overpaid by $27,378.
Documents said on six occasions she declared she didn‘t have any income, while on 79 other occasions she reported some income but not the full amount.
Magistrate Gabriel Fleming ordered she repay $24,270 and perform 180 hours of community service.
