Media Release - Online Appointment Bookings Roll Out Nationally For Services Australia
MEDIA RELEASE
ONLINE APPOINTMENT BOOKINGS ROLL OUT NATIONALLY FOR SERVICES AUSTRALIA
The Albanese Labor Government is helping Australians skip the queues in Services Australia service centres, with the new national online booking system. Since launching in July, more than 81,700 appointments have already been booked online.
This new service enables people to book a 15-minute phone appointment or 30- minute face to face appointment with a staff member at their local Services Australia service centre. Customers can book, reschedule, or cancel some appointments using their Centrelink online account through myGov or the Centrelink Express Plus mobile app.
The range of appointments that can be booked include:
• ABSTUDY
• Age Pension
• Carer Payment
• Digital Coaching
• Disability Support Pension
• JobSeeker Payment
• Parenting Payment – partnered
• Parenting Payment – single
• Youth Allowance
• My Aged Care - general face to face appointments
Minister for Government Services and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Bill Shorten MP said the new appointment booking option was proving very popular, as people value the ability to book, reschedule or cancel an appointment online so they don’t have to spend time in a queue.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the NDIS and Government Services, Bill Shorten:
“At last, you can book appointments to see Services Australia online, not just turn up and be kept waiting. “After a successful pilot in Hobart earlier this year, Australians can now use the new online booking capability to make appointments in more than 300 service centres nationally.
“The online appointment booking option will be particularly helpful to older and younger Australians, people with disability, parents with young children, and carers, who are part of the cohort this new system was designed to assist now. “We know people want the convenience online services provide, but sometimes they need to talk to someone. This new service offers the best of both worlds for people who want or need to visit their local service centre.
“People can go online and choose a time that suits them for an appointment, either on the phone or at their chosen service centre, and they don’t have to spend time in a queue.
“The recent onboarding of an additional 3000 staff has already reduced claims backlogs and phone wait times. The online appointment booking capability is another step in the right direction toward improving access to services.”
Quotes attributable to Senator for South Australia, Don Farrell:
“People living in rural communities don’t always have the luxury of waiting in line at a Services Australia centre after often already travelling significant distances to get to their closest town.
“This new online booking system enables regional South Australians to better plan and maximise their travel so they can access the essential Government services they need.
“I am proud to be part of a government that is making practical improvements to the lives of regional and rural communities.”
“After a decade of Liberal inaction and neglect to our government services, the Albanese Labor Government is taking action to fix the mess and deliver the investment needed in these essential services.”
Quotes attributable to Senator for South Australia, Karen Grogan:
“This is a big win for people in regional communities who have had to travel long distances to access basic government services.”
“Now you won’t have to drive from Kimba to Whyalla, from Naracoorte to Mount Gambier or from Yorketown to Kadina just to have that initial conversation with someone about your age pension or carer payment plan.”
“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to making sure that all Australians have access to the services that they are entitled to, regardless of where they live.”
For more information visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/appointments