GEERS Process
When a GEERS claim is received by the Department, a range of standard processes are followed. The Department aims to process your claim as quickly as possible.
This list shows the steps that a claim may go through during the GEERS process, from receiving the claim right through to the final decision. You can use this list to track where a claim is up to in the GEERS process.
- The employee or insolvency practitioner sends the GEERS Claim Form (PDF 1.3MB) to the Department and a GEERS case manager is allocated to the claim. To be eligible, the employee must meet a range of criteria set out in the GEERS Operational Arrangements.
- The GEERS case manager contacts the insolvency practitioner to provide information about the GEERS process.
- The insolvency practitioner provides the GEERS case manager with the GEERS spreadsheet containing the employee’s outstanding employee entitlements.
- The GEERS case manager reviews the information provided by the insolvency practitioner. The GEERS Operational Arrangements are used by the GEERS case manager to assess the claim.
- The insolvency practitioner verifies the information and completes and returns a Verification and Distribution Agreement relating to the payment of GEERS advances to former employees.
- Based on the information provided by the insolvency practitioner, the GEERS case manager makes recommendations about employees’ eligibility for GEERS assistance and the amount of the GEERS advance.
- The recommendations are approved by a GEERS decision maker.
- Employees are notified by mail of the outcome of their GEERS claim and the amount of the advance, if any.
- GEERS advances are provided to the insolvency practitioner who deducts tax and distributes the GEERS advances within 14 days to eligible employees.
- An employee can ask for a review of the claim decision if they are dissatisfied with the outcome of their claim. The request for review must be lodged within 28 days from the date of the letter of the original decision.
- Employees are notified by mail of the outcome of their review.
- An employee can appeal the review decision if they are dissatisfied with the outcome of their review. The request for an appeal must be lodged within 28 days from the date of the letter of the review outcome.
- Employees are notified by mail of the outcome of their appeal.
- If an employee is dissatisfied with the outcome of the appeal, they can contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman who may agree to look into the GEERS final decision. Following a complaint or on his own motion, the Ombudsman can investigate action taken by the Department relating to 'matters of administration'. Matters of policy (for example, the policies and principles underlying GEERS) are generally outside the Ombudsman's purview.
Employees wanting to find out where their claim is up to in the GEERS process can contact their insolvency practitioner or the GEERS Hotline.
For more information on GEERS, contact the GEERS Hotline on 1300 135 040, or email GEERS@deewr.gov.au.