A new report has revealed the extent of misgivings among staff about the government's controversial "robo-debt" program, showing most surveyed in the Department of Human Services believe the agency has handled the fallout poorly.

A CPSU survey of 750 members working in the DHS – including those who worked directly with the program – showed they believed a lack of training, poor communication with clients and staffing cuts contributed to problems that have mired it.

Centrelink is under fire for letters using the AFP logo. Credit:Erin Jonasson

It found 70 per cent thought the department's response once problems emerged with automated debt recovery was inadequate, while 43 per cent believed it was negligent and 36 per cent said it was dishonest.

But the DHS says it is listening to feedback and refining the debt program, and that the agency is adequately staffed and trained.