Corrimal man avoids jail over dole swindle

Michael Dacich, 68, has been ordered to perform 200 hours of community service work after admitting he failed to tell Centrelink about the money he earned working a casual job for more than two years.

Wollongong Local Court hear Dacich was employed by Sydney-based company from HVS Labour Hire in February 2008 and March 2010, earning between $133.90 and $3879 a fortnight.

His total wage for the 25-month period was $52,344.45.

However, at the same time Dacich was also claiming welfare payments from Centrelink.

The court heard he was on a Newstart allowance until June 2008, then a disability support pension before being transferred to the aged pension in June 2011.

Documents tendered to the court said due to Dacich’s job earnings, he was entitled to receive only partial payments from Centrelink on 38 fortnightly occasions and no payments on a remaining 18 occasions.

The total overpayment to him was $15,532.

The discrepancies were only flagged after a data match was carried out against Australian Taxation Office records.

The overpayment was later confirmed by Centrelink.

Dacich pleaded guilty to three counts of obtaining a financial advantage from a Commonwealth entity at an earlier court sitting, and on Tuesday faced Magistrate Michael Stoddart for sentencing.

Dacich’s lawyer, Legal Aid’s Angela Melouney, said her client was remorseful for his actions and had entered guilty pleas at the earliest available opportunity.

She conceded he had previous charges of dishonesty on his record but noted there had been a large gap between offences.

In making the community service order, Mr Stoddart warned Dacich he faced time behind bars if he failed to perform the work.

‘‘This is an alternative to a jail sentence,’’ he said.

‘‘If you don’t do it, you will find yourself in jail.’’

Dacich was also ordered to continue repaying the outstanding money.