The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but for millions of Australians relying on Centrelink, it can also be a period of uncertainty and stress.

This is due to the upcoming closures of service centres and call centres over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Services Australia has announced that most of its service centres and call centres will be closed from Monday, December 25 to Wednesday, December 27, and for New Year’s Day on Monday, January 1.

Smaller service centres will close for the entire Christmas and New Year holiday season from Friday, December 22 to Tuesday, January 2.

Centrelink has announced its holiday schedule. Image source: Shutterstock.

This closure period could potentially disrupt the routine of millions of Australians who depend on Centrelink for their livelihood.

'This means your reporting and payment dates may change, and you’ll need to report early,' Services Australia warned.

'Your Centrelink online account will show your new reporting date for the Christmas and New Year reporting period.'

While the physical offices will be closed, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account through myGov to report their income, check their payment and reporting dates, and use their other services.

'However, if you do this on a public holiday, we’ll pay you after the public holiday,' Services Australia said.

Certain changes will be applied to the reporting and payment dates for a number of Centrelink payments and allowances if they normally fall on a public holiday.

These include JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, the Age Pension, ABSTUDY and the Disability Support Pension.

If you report ahead of the public holidays, Services Australia advised that you would need to include what you expect to be paid for the full reporting period.

If you are unsure of your income or there are changes to your circumstances, you may choose to report after your reporting period.

For those who don’t have to report to receive their payment, Services Australia may release payments early if there is a public holiday.

This news comes after it was reported that Centrelink's Older Australians line reported experiencing a significant increase in wait times.

Seniors are now waiting an average of 43 minutes to get through—double the average wait time from the 2021/22 financial year.

Unfortunately, wait times are ballooning across all Centrelink departments, with the average wait time for disabilities, sickness and carers at 48.34 minutes, employment at 53.26 minutes, and families and parenting at 56.26 minutes.

Furthermore, the average time taken to approve the age pension reportedly increased from 33 days in 2021/22 to 61 days in the financial year to August 2023.

This has left some retirees in a financial bind, forcing them to dip into their savings and superannuation to make ends meet.

You can read more about this news here.

Key Takeaways

• Services Australia has announced upcoming closures over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, affecting Centrelink service centres and most call centres.
• The closures might lead to changes in reporting and payment dates for individuals on Centrelink.
• Despite the physical closures, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account via myGov to report their income and other details.
• Numerous Centrelink payments and allowances, including JobSeeker and the Age Pension, will have changes to their reporting and payment dates if they usually fall on a public holiday.

What are your thoughts on these Centrelink closures? Have you been affected by them in the past? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.

 

[havingadoggyday]

The way successive governments seem to be heading is if you are applying for the aged pension at 66 years. Then you should put your papers for application in at age 64 years?

Yep much like the hype about seniors health care card at 67. 6 months since application,still nobody could tell us anything or do anything for my husband.He was 67 so could apply,I being 62,could not,but still used my measly bank balance to work it out and divide by 2.What a joke We gave up and pay full price for his meds.Ps my husband has a terminal illness and just one of his meds is worth $1800.Thanks Australian government for giving a damn about his application ,after paying taxes since he was 16 till retirement,salary sacrificing etc etc so he could enjoy his retirement and not have to sponge off them for a pension cos we spent it during our youth on beer,fags and gambling
WE ARE JUST SO PRIVILEGED !!

 

[Ezzy]

Why cant Centrelink open during the xmas / new year period! They can stagger employee holidays so that centres can be manned. A lot of people depend on regular payments not to mention with problems that can be attended to by staff.

PEOPLE ON THESE BENEFITS WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN ADVISED THAT TO RECEIVE THEIR

BENEFITS ON TIME THEY NEED TO HAVE INFORMATION IN BY DECEMBER 21st TO CENTRELINK. THE

PROBLEM THAT YOU ENVISAGE HAS BEEN COVERED!!!

 

[Veggiepatch]

PEOPLE ON THESE BENEFITS WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN ADVISED THAT TO RECEIVE THEIR

BENEFITS ON TIME THEY NEED TO HAVE INFORMATION IN BY DECEMBER 21st TO CENTRELINK. THE

PROBLEM THAT YOU ENVISAGE HAS BEEN COVERED!!!

@Ezzy you are a like minded person.

 

[Ezzy]

@Ezzy you are a like minded person.

Thankyou @ Veggiepatch. That is a nice compliment. The saying is,'Great minds think alike'.

 

[PJH]

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but for millions of Australians relying on Centrelink, it can also be a period of uncertainty and stress.

This is due to the upcoming closures of service centres and call centres over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Services Australia has announced that most of its service centres and call centres will be closed from Monday, December 25 to Wednesday, December 27, and for New Year’s Day on Monday, January 1.

Smaller service centres will close for the entire Christmas and New Year holiday season from Friday, December 22 to Tuesday, January 2.

View attachment 37397

Centrelink has announced its holiday schedule. Image source: Shutterstock.

This closure period could potentially disrupt the routine of millions of Australians who depend on Centrelink for their livelihood.

'This means your reporting and payment dates may change, and you’ll need to report early,' Services Australia warned.

'Your Centrelink online account will show your new reporting date for the Christmas and New Year reporting period.'

While the physical offices will be closed, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account through myGov to report their income, check their payment and reporting dates, and use their other services.

'However, if you do this on a public holiday, we’ll pay you after the public holiday,' Services Australia said.

Certain changes will be applied to the reporting and payment dates for a number of Centrelink payments and allowances if they normally fall on a public holiday.

These include JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, the Age Pension, ABSTUDY and the Disability Support Pension.

If you report ahead of the public holidays, Services Australia advised that you would need to include what you expect to be paid for the full reporting period.

If you are unsure of your income or there are changes to your circumstances, you may choose to report after your reporting period.

For those who don’t have to report to receive their payment, Services Australia may release payments early if there is a public holiday.

This news comes after it was reported that Centrelink's Older Australians line reported experiencing a significant increase in wait times.

Seniors are now waiting an average of 43 minutes to get through—double the average wait time from the 2021/22 financial year.

Unfortunately, wait times are ballooning across all Centrelink departments, with the average wait time for disabilities, sickness and carers at 48.34 minutes, employment at 53.26 minutes, and families and parenting at 56.26 minutes.

Furthermore, the average time taken to approve the age pension reportedly increased from 33 days in 2021/22 to 61 days in the financial year to August 2023.

This has left some retirees in a financial bind, forcing them to dip into their savings and superannuation to make ends meet.

You can read more about this news here.

Key Takeaways

• Services Australia has announced upcoming closures over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, affecting Centrelink service centres and most call centres.
• The closures might lead to changes in reporting and payment dates for individuals on Centrelink.
• Despite the physical closures, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account via myGov to report their income and other details.
• Numerous Centrelink payments and allowances, including JobSeeker and the Age Pension, will have changes to their reporting and payment dates if they usually fall on a public holiday.

What are your thoughts on these Centrelink closures? Have you been affected by them in the past? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.

 

[Petra]

I notifi3d them when my husband died.Lost my concession card and payment recently. I went from carers pension to bereavement pension .My details are at centrelink. I should of gone to Age pension, instead everything stopped .No discount on rates, chemist NO payment at all

Read here Peta

What help there is when an adult dies - Death of a loved one - Services Australia

Grieving the death of someone close to you can be a difficult time. We have payments and services that may help you.

www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

 

[Petra]

Read here Peta

What help there is when an adult dies - Death of a loved one - Services Australia

Grieving the death of someone close to you can be a difficult time. We have payments and services that may help you.

www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

Make an appointment to talk to them face to face. They don't automatically update your payments to the "new" payments, like Age pension, cards etc. you have to go see them.

 

[Ezzy]

Read here Peta

What help there is when an adult dies - Death of a loved one - Services Australia

Grieving the death of someone close to you can be a difficult time. We have payments and services that may help you.

www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

This website is a piece of information worth keeping. Thankyou @ Petra.

 

[petambrady]

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but for millions of Australians relying on Centrelink, it can also be a period of uncertainty and stress.

This is due to the upcoming closures of service centres and call centres over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Services Australia has announced that most of its service centres and call centres will be closed from Monday, December 25 to Wednesday, December 27, and for New Year’s Day on Monday, January 1.

Smaller service centres will close for the entire Christmas and New Year holiday season from Friday, December 22 to Tuesday, January 2.

View attachment 37397

Centrelink has announced its holiday schedule. Image source: Shutterstock.

This closure period could potentially disrupt the routine of millions of Australians who depend on Centrelink for their livelihood.

'This means your reporting and payment dates may change, and you’ll need to report early,' Services Australia warned.

'Your Centrelink online account will show your new reporting date for the Christmas and New Year reporting period.'

While the physical offices will be closed, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account through myGov to report their income, check their payment and reporting dates, and use their other services.

'However, if you do this on a public holiday, we’ll pay you after the public holiday,' Services Australia said.

Certain changes will be applied to the reporting and payment dates for a number of Centrelink payments and allowances if they normally fall on a public holiday.

These include JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, the Age Pension, ABSTUDY and the Disability Support Pension.

If you report ahead of the public holidays, Services Australia advised that you would need to include what you expect to be paid for the full reporting period.

If you are unsure of your income or there are changes to your circumstances, you may choose to report after your reporting period.

For those who don’t have to report to receive their payment, Services Australia may release payments early if there is a public holiday.

This news comes after it was reported that Centrelink's Older Australians line reported experiencing a significant increase in wait times.

Seniors are now waiting an average of 43 minutes to get through—double the average wait time from the 2021/22 financial year.

Unfortunately, wait times are ballooning across all Centrelink departments, with the average wait time for disabilities, sickness and carers at 48.34 minutes, employment at 53.26 minutes, and families and parenting at 56.26 minutes.

Furthermore, the average time taken to approve the age pension reportedly increased from 33 days in 2021/22 to 61 days in the financial year to August 2023.

This has left some retirees in a financial bind, forcing them to dip into their savings and superannuation to make ends meet.

You can read more about this news here.

Key Takeaways

• Services Australia has announced upcoming closures over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, affecting Centrelink service centres and most call centres.
• The closures might lead to changes in reporting and payment dates for individuals on Centrelink.
• Despite the physical closures, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account via myGov to report their income and other details.
• Numerous Centrelink payments and allowances, including JobSeeker and the Age Pension, will have changes to their reporting and payment dates if they usually fall on a public holiday.

What are your thoughts on these Centrelink closures? Have you been affected by them in the past? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.

After getting carers pension and then bereavement pension ( hubby died) i am now told my age pension wont be processed until feb or march next year . 67 years old with no income and no concession card. Went to an appointment they were running 40 mins late at 10.30am

 

[petambrady]

Make an appointment to talk to them face to face. They don't automatically update your payments to the "new" payments, like Age pension, cards etc. you have to go see them.

No letter came to me or text message email etc saying apply for age pension so why would i? It should of been done automatically, they have my details and were informed of my husbands death

 

[Kirrama]

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but for millions of Australians relying on Centrelink, it can also be a period of uncertainty and stress.

This is due to the upcoming closures of service centres and call centres over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Services Australia has announced that most of its service centres and call centres will be closed from Monday, December 25 to Wednesday, December 27, and for New Year’s Day on Monday, January 1.

Smaller service centres will close for the entire Christmas and New Year holiday season from Friday, December 22 to Tuesday, January 2.

View attachment 37397

Centrelink has announced its holiday schedule. Image source: Shutterstock.

This closure period could potentially disrupt the routine of millions of Australians who depend on Centrelink for their livelihood.

'This means your reporting and payment dates may change, and you’ll need to report early,' Services Australia warned.

'Your Centrelink online account will show your new reporting date for the Christmas and New Year reporting period.'

While the physical offices will be closed, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account through myGov to report their income, check their payment and reporting dates, and use their other services.

'However, if you do this on a public holiday, we’ll pay you after the public holiday,' Services Australia said.

Certain changes will be applied to the reporting and payment dates for a number of Centrelink payments and allowances if they normally fall on a public holiday.

These include JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, the Age Pension, ABSTUDY and the Disability Support Pension.

If you report ahead of the public holidays, Services Australia advised that you would need to include what you expect to be paid for the full reporting period.

If you are unsure of your income or there are changes to your circumstances, you may choose to report after your reporting period.

For those who don’t have to report to receive their payment, Services Australia may release payments early if there is a public holiday.

This news comes after it was reported that Centrelink's Older Australians line reported experiencing a significant increase in wait times.

Seniors are now waiting an average of 43 minutes to get through—double the average wait time from the 2021/22 financial year.

Unfortunately, wait times are ballooning across all Centrelink departments, with the average wait time for disabilities, sickness and carers at 48.34 minutes, employment at 53.26 minutes, and families and parenting at 56.26 minutes.

Furthermore, the average time taken to approve the age pension reportedly increased from 33 days in 2021/22 to 61 days in the financial year to August 2023.

This has left some retirees in a financial bind, forcing them to dip into their savings and superannuation to make ends meet.

You can read more about this news here.

Key Takeaways

• Services Australia has announced upcoming closures over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, affecting Centrelink service centres and most call centres.
• The closures might lead to changes in reporting and payment dates for individuals on Centrelink.
• Despite the physical closures, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account via myGov to report their income and other details.
• Numerous Centrelink payments and allowances, including JobSeeker and the Age Pension, will have changes to their reporting and payment dates if they usually fall on a public holiday.

What are your thoughts on these Centrelink closures? Have you been affected by them in the past? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.

Surely Centrelink knew at least 12months ago, this happens every year. Even the number Centrelink, must known right this year. And, here are the Sunday 17th December 2023, & now Pension might have to wait longer for the Pensions. Is there no one who can think 8 days in advance to get their paid. Does Centrelink still have the write too reduce a balancing amount to be repaid to Centrelink when over paid. If Pension payments are underpaid Centrelink will add the short payments the following payment with the adjustment.

 

[Luckyus]

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but for millions of Australians relying on Centrelink, it can also be a period of uncertainty and stress.

This is due to the upcoming closures of service centres and call centres over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Services Australia has announced that most of its service centres and call centres will be closed from Monday, December 25 to Wednesday, December 27, and for New Year’s Day on Monday, January 1.

Smaller service centres will close for the entire Christmas and New Year holiday season from Friday, December 22 to Tuesday, January 2.

View attachment 37397

Centrelink has announced its holiday schedule. Image source: Shutterstock.

This closure period could potentially disrupt the routine of millions of Australians who depend on Centrelink for their livelihood.

'This means your reporting and payment dates may change, and you’ll need to report early,' Services Australia warned.

'Your Centrelink online account will show your new reporting date for the Christmas and New Year reporting period.'

While the physical offices will be closed, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account through myGov to report their income, check their payment and reporting dates, and use their other services.

'However, if you do this on a public holiday, we’ll pay you after the public holiday,' Services Australia said.

Certain changes will be applied to the reporting and payment dates for a number of Centrelink payments and allowances if they normally fall on a public holiday.

These include JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, the Age Pension, ABSTUDY and the Disability Support Pension.

If you report ahead of the public holidays, Services Australia advised that you would need to include what you expect to be paid for the full reporting period.

If you are unsure of your income or there are changes to your circumstances, you may choose to report after your reporting period.

For those who don’t have to report to receive their payment, Services Australia may release payments early if there is a public holiday.

This news comes after it was reported that Centrelink's Older Australians line reported experiencing a significant increase in wait times.

Seniors are now waiting an average of 43 minutes to get through—double the average wait time from the 2021/22 financial year.

Unfortunately, wait times are ballooning across all Centrelink departments, with the average wait time for disabilities, sickness and carers at 48.34 minutes, employment at 53.26 minutes, and families and parenting at 56.26 minutes.

Furthermore, the average time taken to approve the age pension reportedly increased from 33 days in 2021/22 to 61 days in the financial year to August 2023.

This has left some retirees in a financial bind, forcing them to dip into their savings and superannuation to make ends meet.

You can read more about this news here.

Key Takeaways

• Services Australia has announced upcoming closures over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, affecting Centrelink service centres and most call centres.
• The closures might lead to changes in reporting and payment dates for individuals on Centrelink.
• Despite the physical closures, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account via myGov to report their income and other details.
• Numerous Centrelink payments and allowances, including JobSeeker and the Age Pension, will have changes to their reporting and payment dates if they usually fall on a public holiday.

What are your thoughts on these Centrelink closures? Have you been affected by them in the past? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.

If government can stuff it up, they will.

 

[Babybird]

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but for millions of Australians relying on Centrelink, it can also be a period of uncertainty and stress.

This is due to the upcoming closures of service centres and call centres over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Services Australia has announced that most of its service centres and call centres will be closed from Monday, December 25 to Wednesday, December 27, and for New Year’s Day on Monday, January 1.

Smaller service centres will close for the entire Christmas and New Year holiday season from Friday, December 22 to Tuesday, January 2.

View attachment 37397

Centrelink has announced its holiday schedule. Image source: Shutterstock.

This closure period could potentially disrupt the routine of millions of Australians who depend on Centrelink for their livelihood.

'This means your reporting and payment dates may change, and you’ll need to report early,' Services Australia warned.

'Your Centrelink online account will show your new reporting date for the Christmas and New Year reporting period.'

While the physical offices will be closed, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account through myGov to report their income, check their payment and reporting dates, and use their other services.

'However, if you do this on a public holiday, we’ll pay you after the public holiday,' Services Australia said.

Certain changes will be applied to the reporting and payment dates for a number of Centrelink payments and allowances if they normally fall on a public holiday.

These include JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, the Age Pension, ABSTUDY and the Disability Support Pension.

If you report ahead of the public holidays, Services Australia advised that you would need to include what you expect to be paid for the full reporting period.

If you are unsure of your income or there are changes to your circumstances, you may choose to report after your reporting period.

For those who don’t have to report to receive their payment, Services Australia may release payments early if there is a public holiday.

This news comes after it was reported that Centrelink's Older Australians line reported experiencing a significant increase in wait times.

Seniors are now waiting an average of 43 minutes to get through—double the average wait time from the 2021/22 financial year.

Unfortunately, wait times are ballooning across all Centrelink departments, with the average wait time for disabilities, sickness and carers at 48.34 minutes, employment at 53.26 minutes, and families and parenting at 56.26 minutes.

Furthermore, the average time taken to approve the age pension reportedly increased from 33 days in 2021/22 to 61 days in the financial year to August 2023.

This has left some retirees in a financial bind, forcing them to dip into their savings and superannuation to make ends meet.

You can read more about this news here.

Key Takeaways

• Services Australia has announced upcoming closures over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, affecting Centrelink service centres and most call centres.
• The closures might lead to changes in reporting and payment dates for individuals on Centrelink.
• Despite the physical closures, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account via myGov to report their income and other details.
• Numerous Centrelink payments and allowances, including JobSeeker and the Age Pension, will have changes to their reporting and payment dates if they usually fall on a public holiday.

What are your thoughts on these Centrelink closures? Have you been affected by them in the past? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.

There is special phone number for seniors to call for centerlink

 

[Babybird]

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but for millions of Australians relying on Centrelink, it can also be a period of uncertainty and stress.

This is due to the upcoming closures of service centres and call centres over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Services Australia has announced that most of its service centres and call centres will be closed from Monday, December 25 to Wednesday, December 27, and for New Year’s Day on Monday, January 1.

Smaller service centres will close for the entire Christmas and New Year holiday season from Friday, December 22 to Tuesday, January 2.

View attachment 37397

Centrelink has announced its holiday schedule. Image source: Shutterstock.

This closure period could potentially disrupt the routine of millions of Australians who depend on Centrelink for their livelihood.

'This means your reporting and payment dates may change, and you’ll need to report early,' Services Australia warned.

'Your Centrelink online account will show your new reporting date for the Christmas and New Year reporting period.'

While the physical offices will be closed, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account through myGov to report their income, check their payment and reporting dates, and use their other services.

'However, if you do this on a public holiday, we’ll pay you after the public holiday,' Services Australia said.

Certain changes will be applied to the reporting and payment dates for a number of Centrelink payments and allowances if they normally fall on a public holiday.

These include JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, the Age Pension, ABSTUDY and the Disability Support Pension.

If you report ahead of the public holidays, Services Australia advised that you would need to include what you expect to be paid for the full reporting period.

If you are unsure of your income or there are changes to your circumstances, you may choose to report after your reporting period.

For those who don’t have to report to receive their payment, Services Australia may release payments early if there is a public holiday.

This news comes after it was reported that Centrelink's Older Australians line reported experiencing a significant increase in wait times.

Seniors are now waiting an average of 43 minutes to get through—double the average wait time from the 2021/22 financial year.

Unfortunately, wait times are ballooning across all Centrelink departments, with the average wait time for disabilities, sickness and carers at 48.34 minutes, employment at 53.26 minutes, and families and parenting at 56.26 minutes.

Furthermore, the average time taken to approve the age pension reportedly increased from 33 days in 2021/22 to 61 days in the financial year to August 2023.

This has left some retirees in a financial bind, forcing them to dip into their savings and superannuation to make ends meet.

You can read more about this news here.

Key Takeaways

• Services Australia has announced upcoming closures over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, affecting Centrelink service centres and most call centres.
• The closures might lead to changes in reporting and payment dates for individuals on Centrelink.
• Despite the physical closures, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account via myGov to report their income and other details.
• Numerous Centrelink payments and allowances, including JobSeeker and the Age Pension, will have changes to their reporting and payment dates if they usually fall on a public holiday.

What are your thoughts on these Centrelink closures? Have you been affected by them in the past? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.

For seniors and other recipients these are numbers to call, less wait time for seniors on that number also

 

[AlanQ]

I rang the Older Australians line on Monday and was advised that the wait was 90 minutes!!
Also, I recently visited Centrelink to enquire as to why I had not received my last pension payment and was given an appointment for the following day at 4.00pm. I arrived on time, waited for 15 minutes to be seen and was then told I may have to come back another time if they couldn't solve my issue, as they closed at 4.30pm! Fortunately, it was solved within the 15 minutes but had it not been I would have had to make a third trip and possibly miss another pension payment. All because of an error on their part!

That's not true, you would not have been told, come back another day. IF you are eligible (not entitled) to a payment, you will ALWAYS be back paid any money payable. Once again, unless you were required to provide something that resulted in the halt to any payment and you still didn't bring required information, you would not have been told to come back another day, they would have resolved the issue on the day.

 

[AlanQ]

These PUBLIC HOLIDAY closures have been the case for as long as the Public Holiday has existed. Wasn't that long ago everything was closed on xmas day. Will impact absolutely no one.

 

[JedCorella]

Do you blame the government for Woolies and Coles being closed on Christmas Day? Such a distorted view on things.

I forgot to add that Anthony Albanese is solely responsible for Cyclone Jasper currently off the North Queensland Coast....

Albanese might not be responsible for cyclone Jasper but he, and his government, are sure screwing up Australia. Especially Chris Bowen, that moron couldn't find his way out of a toilet. Maybe they should stop globe trotting on taxpayers' money, spend some time in Australia and sort out the issues we have here instead of spending money like drunken sailors sending us more into debt.

 

[Ashmenou]

I rang the Older Australians line on Monday and was advised that the wait was 90 minutes!!
Also, I recently visited Centrelink to enquire as to why I had not received my last pension payment and was given an appointment for the following day at 4.00pm. I arrived on time, waited for 15 minutes to be seen and was then told I may have to come back another time if they couldn't solve my issue, as they closed at 4.30pm! Fortunately, it was solved within the 15 minutes but had it not been I would have had to make a third trip and possibly miss another pension payment. All because of an error on their part!

As usual we pay for their mistakes.

 

[Brody]

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but for millions of Australians relying on Centrelink, it can also be a period of uncertainty and stress.

This is due to the upcoming closures of service centres and call centres over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Services Australia has announced that most of its service centres and call centres will be closed from Monday, December 25 to Wednesday, December 27, and for New Year’s Day on Monday, January 1.

Smaller service centres will close for the entire Christmas and New Year holiday season from Friday, December 22 to Tuesday, January 2.

View attachment 37397

Centrelink has announced its holiday schedule. Image source: Shutterstock.

This closure period could potentially disrupt the routine of millions of Australians who depend on Centrelink for their livelihood.

'This means your reporting and payment dates may change, and you’ll need to report early,' Services Australia warned.

'Your Centrelink online account will show your new reporting date for the Christmas and New Year reporting period.'

While the physical offices will be closed, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account through myGov to report their income, check their payment and reporting dates, and use their other services.

'However, if you do this on a public holiday, we’ll pay you after the public holiday,' Services Australia said.

Certain changes will be applied to the reporting and payment dates for a number of Centrelink payments and allowances if they normally fall on a public holiday.

These include JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, the Age Pension, ABSTUDY and the Disability Support Pension.

If you report ahead of the public holidays, Services Australia advised that you would need to include what you expect to be paid for the full reporting period.

If you are unsure of your income or there are changes to your circumstances, you may choose to report after your reporting period.

For those who don’t have to report to receive their payment, Services Australia may release payments early if there is a public holiday.

This news comes after it was reported that Centrelink's Older Australians line reported experiencing a significant increase in wait times.

Seniors are now waiting an average of 43 minutes to get through—double the average wait time from the 2021/22 financial year.

Unfortunately, wait times are ballooning across all Centrelink departments, with the average wait time for disabilities, sickness and carers at 48.34 minutes, employment at 53.26 minutes, and families and parenting at 56.26 minutes.

Furthermore, the average time taken to approve the age pension reportedly increased from 33 days in 2021/22 to 61 days in the financial year to August 2023.

This has left some retirees in a financial bind, forcing them to dip into their savings and superannuation to make ends meet.

You can read more about this news here.

Key Takeaways

• Services Australia has announced upcoming closures over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, affecting Centrelink service centres and most call centres.
• The closures might lead to changes in reporting and payment dates for individuals on Centrelink.
• Despite the physical closures, recipients can still use their Centrelink online account via myGov to report their income and other details.
• Numerous Centrelink payments and allowances, including JobSeeker and the Age Pension, will have changes to their reporting and payment dates if they usually fall on a public holiday.

What are your thoughts on these Centrelink closures? Have you been affected by them in the past? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.

It is just what you said. Terribly inconvenient, but there is nothing we can do to change it they make the rules.

 

[johno cpfc]

I better get on to it immediately. They should be able to process such a simple claim in 18 months....

Don't bet on it!!