Nicole Vainerere handed a suspended sentence for defrauding Centrelink out of $25,000

A mother-of-four who cares for her autistic son “foolishly” hid almost $200k of her husband’s income from Centrelink to financially benefit herself.

A carer who defrauded Centrelink of more than $25,000 for her own financial benefit has been spared jail time.

Nicole Anne Vainerere, 45, was “deeply ashamed” of foolishly following her husband’s suggestion not to declare his income.

The Adelaide District Court on Friday heard that Vainerere had been receiving a carer allowance since April, 2014 for her 15-year-old autistic son.

“He has a high dependency upon you,” Magistrate Karim Soetratma said during sentencing.

The court heard Vainerere reported her partner’s gross income between 2014 and 2015 as $0 when he had actually made over $52,000.

“Because of the information you provided you were paid, or perhaps more correctly expressed you were overpaid $4,370,” Mr Soetratma said.

Vainerere incorrectly represented her partner’s income on 57 occasions between 2016 and 2019 and under-declared his gross income by $194,378.

“The consequence of the information you provided was that you were overpaid by $21,722.67,” Mr Soetratma said.

Vainerere has been paying Centrelink back and currently has $17,013 outstanding.

The Largs Bay mother-of-four had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of obtaining financial advantage.

Nicole Vainerere was spared jail for defrauding Centrelink of more than $25,000. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

The court heard Vainerere’s partner had not been forthcoming to her about the money he was making.

“These offences took place in the context of a marriage described as emotionally and financially abusive,” Mr Soetratma said.

“Your husband told you not to worry about declaring his income because his latest job was short term … you foolishly followed his suggestion.”

The court heard Vainerere had recently moved to Western Australia and was working at Bunnings.

“Your counsel tells me that you are deeply ashamed of these offences,” Mr Soetratma said.

The court heard an immediate jail term would be “catastrophic” for Vainerere’s children.

Mr Soetratma sentenced Vainerere to six months jail.

“This was a lengthy, sustained fraud against a social security system,” he said.

“That system is based on trust and honesty.”

Mr Soetratma suspended the sentence on a two year good behaviour for $500, due to Vainerere’s remorse and circumstances.

Convictions were recorded.