What exactly were the fringe benefits that you received that amount to $17,000?

You have to be so careful with Centrelink. I almost got in strife because the stupid Centrelink guy presumed I wouldn't earn anything whilst on 8 months mat leave so we were told we were entitled to payments that we weren't (and a health care card). I'd just given birth a week before so the brain wasn't working well yet but I realised 24 hours later that I would earn way too much as I was getting 21 weeks paid leave plus I would be fully back at work for 5 months of this financial year. Once corrected we were entitled to pretty much nothing. If I hadn't realised this mistake when I did I would be in the same position as you (actually worse as I would've earnt more).