Minister for Human Services, Stuart Robert said the Mobile Service Centre will offer Centrelink and Medicare payments and services, Child Support information and hearing health checks. 

 “The Mobile Service Centre is a travelling outreach service that shortens the distance between rural and regional communities and government services. 

“Golden Wattle is a truck set at up as an office, custom-built with the same technology as any other Medicare or Centrelink Service Centre, including access to self-service facilities. It is wheelchair accessible and has a soundproof room where staff can conduct free hearing health checks.”

Federal Member for Calare, the Hon John Cobb said the Mobile Service Centres ensure people in rural communities are connected with the latest government services.  

“Last time Golden Wattle was in the area, staff assisted customers with claiming Farm Household Allowance and helped them through the online claiming process,” Mr Cobb said.

“Farm Household Allowance provides eligible farmers and their partners who are experiencing financial hardship with assistance and support to improve their long-term financial situation.

“The allowance is paid fortnightly at a rate equivalent to Newstart Allowance (or Youth Allowance for those under 22 years). Recipients will also receive a Health Care Card to help with the cost of prescriptions.

A staff member from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will also be available to assist individual and small business taxpayers with advice and information about tax and superannuation, and it’s exciting to have ATO staff on board staff to assist people with their tax affairs.

“I encourage local residents to come along and visit the Centre it is in the area.” 

Mobile Service Centre staff can help with:

 rural payment entitlements for eligible farmers

 new claims for a wide range of Centrelink payments

 updating 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 

 non-cash Medicare transactions

 Medicare registrations

 information on Child Support payment and service options

 specialist support and referrals

 support with and access to self service facilities

 free hearing health checks, and

 advice and information for individual and small business about tax and superannuation.