Skipping Centrelink queues now possible on the Coast

Jo Parks and Federal Member for Roberston Dr Gordon Reid at Services Australia, Gosford.

Skip the queues at Services Australia centres at Wyong, The Entrance and Gosford by using the new national online booking system.

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said that after a successful pilot in Hobart earlier this year, Australians could 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,” Shorten said.

Centrelink customers can book a 15-minute phone appointment or 30-minute face-to-face appointment with a staff member at their local 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 Payments; Youth Allowance and general face-to-face appointments for My Aged Care.

“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,” Shorten said.

“The recent onboarding of an additional 3,000 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.”

For details: visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/appointments