Stephanie Clair Barlow, 22, of Narromine, pleaded guilty to three counts of receiving financial advantage from a commonwealth entity when she appeared in Dubbo Local Council this week.

Magistrate Andrew Eckhold was told the offences occurred over a period of 14 months.

Barlow had been overpaid $7500 in Centrelink benefits. About half of the debt had been repaid.

The court heard Barlow had been suffering from untreated depression at the time of the offences and her health further deteriorated when she took on the care of an aged and infirm relative.

Barlow’s solicitor said she was now receiving treatment for mental health problems, had restored family relationships and was no longer self-medicating to cope with symptoms of depression.

Magistrate Eckhold described the fraud offence as a sin of omission.

“These are matters of dishonesty and a message must be send to the community,’’ Mr Eckhold said.

“You are unlikely to be involved in criminal behaviour again. You now know you have a mental health condition and if difficulties arise in the future you need to approach health practitioners for help.’’

Barlow was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond and told to accept the supervision of the probation and parole service.

She was ordered to make reparation of $3266.52 to the commonwealth and to be photographed and fingerprinted by police.