The federal government is facing calls to waive the welfare debts of Australians who are affected by domestic or family violence.

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie introduced to parliament a private bill aimed specifically at relieving the burden for such victims on Centrelink payments.

Existing legislation allows for debts to be cleared in special circumstances, but Mr Wilkie believes it's vague and may not apply to some situations.

"With no significant cost to the federal budget, we could bring relief to those people in the community - often women - who through no fault of their own are lumbered with very large Centrelink debts," he told MPs on Monday.

His proposal would mean debts could be waived if, for example, someone has been coerced by an abusive partner to misrepresent their income to Centrelink or can't pay because of their situation.

The Tasmanian was recently contacted by a voter who had been in a violent relationship for nearly 20 years.

She was forced by her abusive partner to falsely claim to Centrelink that she was single and now has a debt worth tens of thousands of dollars, he said.

"The current legislation doesn't allow for that debt to be waived and this unfortunate soul has a debt of $23,000 which she's somehow got to repay.

"It was the final straw that stirred me to act today."

Mr Wilkie said the woman's situation was just the tip of the iceberg and urged all sides of politics to support his move.