Mobile Office visits the Wheatbelt

Western Australia Media Release
Wednesday, 4 August 2010

The new Australian Government Mobile Office will be offering easy access to a wide range of government payments and services when it visits the Wheatbelt this month.

The Mobile Office will visit Lake Grace, Kondinin, Bruce Rock, Mukinbudin, Merredin, Trayning, Bencubbin, Quairading and the Dowerin Field Day.

The Mobile Office will cover 6,000 kilometres visiting 23 towns and attending field days on its seven week journey around Western Australia.

Mobile Office Team Leader Kathy Sack said the mobile office is particularly useful for people who don’t have easy access to a Centrelink office.

"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."

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

• new claims for a wide range of Centrelink payments, including Farm Family Support and Farm Exit Support delivered by Centrelink as part of the pilot of drought reform measures in Western Australia
• counselling and referrals under the Farm Social Support pilot measure
• updating Centrelink 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
• social work support and referrals

Information and application forms for other measures part of the Western Australian pilot, will also be available on board the Mobile Office.

Kathy 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, two separate interview rooms, three service desks, wireless technology that allows the laptops on board to access the Centrelink customer mainframe, and self-service facilities.

"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 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."

Since taking to the road late last year the Mobile Office has visited around 200 towns and travelled more than 32,000km with its staff seeing more than 11,000 customers.

Itineraries and information are available on the Mobile Office section of the Centrelink website, or by calling 13 23 16.

For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink Media Contact.