Mobile Office to visit SA regions

South Australia media release
Monday, 5 July 2010

The Australian Government Mobile Office will be rolling into Paringa, Spalding and Wilmington next week, offering the community easy access to a wide range of government payments and services.

Since taking to the road late last year the Mobile Office - designed to improve access to government services for rural communities - has visited around 200 towns and travelled more than 32,000km with its staff seeing more than 11,000 customers.

Mobile Office Team Leader Andrew Gregory said the Mobile Office is particularly useful for people who don’t have easy access to a Centrelink or Medicare Australia office, bringing together many payments and services.

"Staff on board the Mobile Office live and work in rural communities and can provide information, assistance and support to seniors, students, families, farmers and farm-dependent small businesses," Mr Gregory said.

The Centrelink Rural Services Officers and Rural Social Workers staff on board can assist with a wide range of services, including:

• new claims for a wide range of Centrelink payments
• updating Centrelink and Medicare Australia customer information
• confirming customer documents and supporting information
• information on how financial matters may impact on Centrelink payments
• payment and service options to suit individual circumstances
• drought assistance claims for farmers and small businesses that depend on agriculture for their livelihood
• non-cash Medicare Australia transactions such as arranging cheque or EFTPOS claim payments
• Medicare Australia enrolments
• Social work support and referrals

Mr Gregory said the Mobile Office is custom-built to provide flexibility and space to assist a broader range of customers at different stages of their lives.

"The vehicle has a small waiting area, 2 separate interview rooms, 3 service desks, wireless technology that allows the laptops on board to access the Centrelink customer mainframe, and self-service facilities," Mr Gregory said.

"The floor inside the Mobile Office is completely flat, even when the side is extended, and a special ramp at the rear of the vehicle means it’s wheelchair accessible.

"All communities all have different needs, and the Australian Government Mobile Office initiative recognises that a style of service delivery that works well in one area may not necessarily work well in another.

"The versatility of the Mobile Office means we can adapt the services we offer to suit the specific needs of the community and its people.

"I’d encourage people to come down and visit us when we are in the area to take a look inside the Mobile Office. We’re in your community and here to help."

Itineraries and more information about the Australian Government Mobile Office are available on the Centrelink website under ‘A’ in the A to Z index, or by calling 13 2316.

Media Opportunity

Australian Government Mobile Office to visit:

For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink media contact.