We know that enduring lengthy, time-consuming phone queues or spending hours seeking help at various institutions is nobody’s idea of a good time.

For the many Aussies who depend on services such as Centrelink and Medicare, having easy and dependable customer assistance is a must.

If you’ve been frustrated by extended wait times and difficulty getting the support you need with these services, there's good news—relief is on its way.

The federal government is actively hiring 3,000 recruits to strengthen Services Australia’s frontline in their efforts to implement recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission.

This staffing boost has the potential to improve customer service and reduce call wait times for the millions of Australians who depend on Centrelink and Medicare.

More staff at Medicare and Centrelink will cut call wait times. Image source: Facebook/@ServicesAustralia

According to Government Services Minister Bill Shorten, the additional staff will prevent the recurrence of schemes such as Robodebt.

The Robodebt scheme was initially touted as a cost-saving initiative, utilising automation and algorithms to detect welfare fraud and overpayments.

However, it ultimately served as a cautionary tale, highlighting the risks of replacing human judgment with Automated Decision-Making (ADM) systems.

‘The Liberals wickedly used the illegal Robodebt scheme to decimate contact channels so people could not connect with Services Australia and make complaints,’ Mr Shorten said.

‘The new staff will be critical to reducing call wait times, speeding up claim payments and giving Australians back some time in their busy lives.’

The debt recovery program falsely accused individuals of owing the government money, resulting in the collection of over $750 million from nearly 400,000 Australians.

The final report of the Robodebt Royal Commission in July included a recommendation for the government to ensure ‘easy and efficient engagement options of online, in person, and telephone communication that take into account the specific circumstances of the customer cohort’.

Video source: Facebook/7 News Australia​

Before the $228 million recruitment initiative, Services Australia had a lower ratio of public servants per capita than at any other point, following a reduction of 3,800 staff during the previous government’s term.

The newly enlisted personnel will be assigned to facilities in major cities and regional areas, including locations such as Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, Toowoomba and Maryborough in Queensland, and Ballarat and LaTrobe Valley in Victoria.

Over 800 individuals have already commenced their training.

With the Royal Commission report concluded, the hope is that the victims can begin to move forward.

Robodebt leaves behind valuable lessons, particularly in the context of the government’s consultation on Safe and Responsible AI use, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability in ADM systems, regardless of their complexity.

Key Takeaways

• The Australian government will recruit 3000 new staff members for Services Australia’s frontline to lessen call wait times and improve customer service for Centrelink and Medicare users.
• The staffing boost is part of the government’s action plan to implement recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission, an initiative to prevent schemes like Robodebt from reoccurring.
• The newly introduced staff will help expedite claim payments and address customer complaints faster, according to Government Services Minister Bill Shorten.
• The recruits will be deployed in capital cities and regional centres across the country, with over 800 people already having begun their training.

Members, what do you think of this story? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[Trina G]

What a joke! I CALLED last Tuesday two different numbers, one was a suggested contact number. Both had the same automated machine hooked up, where not only was the phone not picked up but the message told me call couldn't be answered at this time as it was experiencing high volume and no-one believes this to be true and I believe to be a straight out lie

Hiring 3000 won’t happen yesterday!

 

[samtumino]

In regards to the above
Yes it is good idea but here is a better one,,how about we all get the full pension like we were promised ,,thereby reducing many thousands of Centrelink staff that would not be necessary to be there attempting to reduce our pension at every corner...The money saved from this reduction in staff would be more than enough to pay us all the correct full pensions...other countries have this automatic full pension... but we can't see that this is the cheapest option ...... why NOT here??
I have worked since I was sixteen years of age till retirement at aged sixty eight only to get a part pension as a reward for a life time of contributions to the workforce . There was no super scheme for many years after I started work..We got married late in life and we are getting punished because my wife has a low paid part- time position and this is considered by Centrelink as our combined income..
I am willing to discuss this with anyone who is clever and forward thinking enough ..Cheers Lance Pratt

I couldn't agree with you more Lance! I would go even further and say: close most of Centrelink Offices, sack their employees including CEOs, Managers, Security guards, etc. The Money saved would be ASTRONOMICAL... and because I already hear someone saying that some people would unfairly benefit with this system, I will answer that the "well-off people" already lodge tax returns and ATO would easily take care of the ones who didn't really need the pension by paying the excess back in Tax.

 

[Heddy]

I hope it improves. After a 2.4hr on hold wait to make an appointment , I went in to my local branch, I found out Centrelink was underpaying me for quite some time & received a lump sum backpay and new payment plan. I had tried for a week to get through on the phone

 

[jay2]

We know that enduring lengthy, time-consuming phone queues or spending hours seeking help at various institutions is nobody’s idea of a good time.

For the many Aussies who depend on services such as Centrelink and Medicare, having easy and dependable customer assistance is a must.

If you’ve been frustrated by extended wait times and difficulty getting the support you need with these services, there's good news—relief is on its way.

The federal government is actively hiring 3,000 recruits to strengthen Services Australia’s frontline in their efforts to implement recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission.

This staffing boost has the potential to improve customer service and reduce call wait times for the millions of Australians who depend on Centrelink and Medicare.

View attachment 33954

More staff at Medicare and Centrelink will cut call wait times. Image source: Facebook/@ServicesAustralia

According to Government Services Minister Bill Shorten, the additional staff will prevent the recurrence of schemes such as Robodebt.

The Robodebt scheme was initially touted as a cost-saving initiative, utilising automation and algorithms to detect welfare fraud and overpayments.

However, it ultimately served as a cautionary tale, highlighting the risks of replacing human judgment with Automated Decision-Making (ADM) systems.

‘The Liberals wickedly used the illegal Robodebt scheme to decimate contact channels so people could not connect with Services Australia and make complaints,’ Mr Shorten said.

‘The new staff will be critical to reducing call wait times, speeding up claim payments and giving Australians back some time in their busy lives.’

The debt recovery program falsely accused individuals of owing the government money, resulting in the collection of over $750 million from nearly 400,000 Australians.

The final report of the Robodebt Royal Commission in July included a recommendation for the government to ensure ‘easy and efficient engagement options of online, in person, and telephone communication that take into account the specific circumstances of the customer cohort’.

Video source: Facebook/7 News Australia​

Before the $228 million recruitment initiative, Services Australia had a lower ratio of public servants per capita than at any other point, following a reduction of 3,800 staff during the previous government’s term.

The newly enlisted personnel will be assigned to facilities in major cities and regional areas, including locations such as Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, Toowoomba and Maryborough in Queensland, and Ballarat and LaTrobe Valley in Victoria.

Over 800 individuals have already commenced their training.

With the Royal Commission report concluded, the hope is that the victims can begin to move forward.

Robodebt leaves behind valuable lessons, particularly in the context of the government’s consultation on Safe and Responsible AI use, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability in ADM systems, regardless of their complexity.

Key Takeaways

• The Australian government will recruit 3000 new staff members for Services Australia’s frontline to lessen call wait times and improve customer service for Centrelink and Medicare users.
• The staffing boost is part of the government’s action plan to implement recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission, an initiative to prevent schemes like Robodebt from reoccurring.
• The newly introduced staff will help expedite claim payments and address customer complaints faster, according to Government Services Minister Bill Shorten.
• The recruits will be deployed in capital cities and regional centres across the country, with over 800 people already having begun their training.

Members, what do you think of this story? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Reads good, we shall just have to wait and see.There are allways snaggs. For the sake of a lot of desperate people I hope all goes well ...jay2

 

[evitravel]

when you vote in a liberal all you are doing is installing hate

 

[Handy]

We know that enduring lengthy, time-consuming phone queues or spending hours seeking help at various institutions is nobody’s idea of a good time.

For the many Aussies who depend on services such as Centrelink and Medicare, having easy and dependable customer assistance is a must.

If you’ve been frustrated by extended wait times and difficulty getting the support you need with these services, there's good news—relief is on its way.

The federal government is actively hiring 3,000 recruits to strengthen Services Australia’s frontline in their efforts to implement recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission.

This staffing boost has the potential to improve customer service and reduce call wait times for the millions of Australians who depend on Centrelink and Medicare.

View attachment 33954

More staff at Medicare and Centrelink will cut call wait times. Image source: Facebook/@ServicesAustralia

According to Government Services Minister Bill Shorten, the additional staff will prevent the recurrence of schemes such as Robodebt.

The Robodebt scheme was initially touted as a cost-saving initiative, utilising automation and algorithms to detect welfare fraud and overpayments.

However, it ultimately served as a cautionary tale, highlighting the risks of replacing human judgment with Automated Decision-Making (ADM) systems.

‘The Liberals wickedly used the illegal Robodebt scheme to decimate contact channels so people could not connect with Services Australia and make complaints,’ Mr Shorten said.

‘The new staff will be critical to reducing call wait times, speeding up claim payments and giving Australians back some time in their busy lives.’

The debt recovery program falsely accused individuals of owing the government money, resulting in the collection of over $750 million from nearly 400,000 Australians.

The final report of the Robodebt Royal Commission in July included a recommendation for the government to ensure ‘easy and efficient engagement options of online, in person, and telephone communication that take into account the specific circumstances of the customer cohort’.

Video source: Facebook/7 News Australia​

Before the $228 million recruitment initiative, Services Australia had a lower ratio of public servants per capita than at any other point, following a reduction of 3,800 staff during the previous government’s term.

The newly enlisted personnel will be assigned to facilities in major cities and regional areas, including locations such as Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, Toowoomba and Maryborough in Queensland, and Ballarat and LaTrobe Valley in Victoria.

Over 800 individuals have already commenced their training.

With the Royal Commission report concluded, the hope is that the victims can begin to move forward.

Robodebt leaves behind valuable lessons, particularly in the context of the government’s consultation on Safe and Responsible AI use, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability in ADM systems, regardless of their complexity.

Key Takeaways

• The Australian government will recruit 3000 new staff members for Services Australia’s frontline to lessen call wait times and improve customer service for Centrelink and Medicare users.
• The staffing boost is part of the government’s action plan to implement recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission, an initiative to prevent schemes like Robodebt from reoccurring.
• The newly introduced staff will help expedite claim payments and address customer complaints faster, according to Government Services Minister Bill Shorten.
• The recruits will be deployed in capital cities and regional centres across the country, with over 800 people already having begun their training.

Members, what do you think of this story? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

I hope they recruit people who can speak clear English to answer telephone enquiries. For people using hearing aids, accents are emphasised on the 'phone and many are very difficult to understand.

 

[Luckyus]

Why has it takedn the lazy bastard governement this long, spends all his time all over the globe kissing god knows what? inbeteween spruiking about a useless and senseless referendum about a minority wanting their own branch of government in which the main agitators more European than Indigenous!!

 

[Ezzy]

Hallelujah!!!!

I wonder how long it will actually take.

I applied for DSP back in February and finally got a result in September and having a phone interview 4 weeks earlier...it was declined and the lovely lady who called me explained that they don't approve DSP for indigestion, I asked her to explain and that is what the interviewer had put down.

I went on to explain how I had surgery that was negligent and through that I lost my whole umbilicus plus a large ammount of abdominal wall which is now held together through stitches. I can't bend or lift due to cramping and pain.

I have also been suffering severe depression and anxiety for over two years because of this. I was told they do approve it for depression but prior to 1st April it required a psychiatrist report I had psychologist reports after the 1st April they accepted the psychologist reports, so my question was why did it take 6 months to tell me this, I could have put in a new claim on the 1st April

The lady who called in September told me she was asking for a review because my stomach complaint definitely isn't just indigestion and doesn't know why the lady did that( mind you the first lady was working from home and kept trying to calm her dog)
She also told me to submit a new claim as from the 1st April they accept psychologist reports. She told me to do this incase the review comes back still not approved

My thought was:- These people have been employed but how long will the training process take?

The treatment you have received echoes that of many other people in need of a proper hearing for much needed & overdue assistance. These delays aren't acceptable in today's world & wouldn't have happened if Centrelink had 'carried on regardless' during COVID with the staff they had.

To add insult to injury, l guess payments will not be backdated to the initial application date.

I feel for any person in this situation & truly hope these claims are dealt with with expediency.
(but, hang-on, we are dealing with a Government Department aren't we - sorry).

 

[Mindygirl12022]

We know that enduring lengthy, time-consuming phone queues or spending hours seeking help at various institutions is nobody’s idea of a good time.

For the many Aussies who depend on services such as Centrelink and Medicare, having easy and dependable customer assistance is a must.

If you’ve been frustrated by extended wait times and difficulty getting the support you need with these services, there's good news—relief is on its way.

The federal government is actively hiring 3,000 recruits to strengthen Services Australia’s frontline in their efforts to implement recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission.

This staffing boost has the potential to improve customer service and reduce call wait times for the millions of Australians who depend on Centrelink and Medicare.

View attachment 33954

More staff at Medicare and Centrelink will cut call wait times. Image source: Facebook/@ServicesAustralia

According to Government Services Minister Bill Shorten, the additional staff will prevent the recurrence of schemes such as Robodebt.

The Robodebt scheme was initially touted as a cost-saving initiative, utilising automation and algorithms to detect welfare fraud and overpayments.

However, it ultimately served as a cautionary tale, highlighting the risks of replacing human judgment with Automated Decision-Making (ADM) systems.

‘The Liberals wickedly used the illegal Robodebt scheme to decimate contact channels so people could not connect with Services Australia and make complaints,’ Mr Shorten said.

‘The new staff will be critical to reducing call wait times, speeding up claim payments and giving Australians back some time in their busy lives.’

The debt recovery program falsely accused individuals of owing the government money, resulting in the collection of over $750 million from nearly 400,000 Australians.

The final report of the Robodebt Royal Commission in July included a recommendation for the government to ensure ‘easy and efficient engagement options of online, in person, and telephone communication that take into account the specific circumstances of the customer cohort’.

Video source: Facebook/7 News Australia​

Before the $228 million recruitment initiative, Services Australia had a lower ratio of public servants per capita than at any other point, following a reduction of 3,800 staff during the previous government’s term.

The newly enlisted personnel will be assigned to facilities in major cities and regional areas, including locations such as Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, Toowoomba and Maryborough in Queensland, and Ballarat and LaTrobe Valley in Victoria.

Over 800 individuals have already commenced their training.

With the Royal Commission report concluded, the hope is that the victims can begin to move forward.

Robodebt leaves behind valuable lessons, particularly in the context of the government’s consultation on Safe and Responsible AI use, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability in ADM systems, regardless of their complexity.

Key Takeaways

• The Australian government will recruit 3000 new staff members for Services Australia’s frontline to lessen call wait times and improve customer service for Centrelink and Medicare users.
• The staffing boost is part of the government’s action plan to implement recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission, an initiative to prevent schemes like Robodebt from reoccurring.
• The newly introduced staff will help expedite claim payments and address customer complaints faster, according to Government Services Minister Bill Shorten.
• The recruits will be deployed in capital cities and regional centres across the country, with over 800 people already having begun their training.

Members, what do you think of this story? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

This should help a little bit. Let's see how many new Staff are placed at our own Centrelink branches.

 

[BRIAN KK]

We know that enduring lengthy, time-consuming phone queues or spending hours seeking help at various institutions is nobody’s idea of a good time.

For the many Aussies who depend on services such as Centrelink and Medicare, having easy and dependable customer assistance is a must.

If you’ve been frustrated by extended wait times and difficulty getting the support you need with these services, there's good news—relief is on its way.

The federal government is actively hiring 3,000 recruits to strengthen Services Australia’s frontline in their efforts to implement recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission.

This staffing boost has the potential to improve customer service and reduce call wait times for the millions of Australians who depend on Centrelink and Medicare.

View attachment 33954

More staff at Medicare and Centrelink will cut call wait times. Image source: Facebook/@ServicesAustralia

According to Government Services Minister Bill Shorten, the additional staff will prevent the recurrence of schemes such as Robodebt.

The Robodebt scheme was initially touted as a cost-saving initiative, utilising automation and algorithms to detect welfare fraud and overpayments.

However, it ultimately served as a cautionary tale, highlighting the risks of replacing human judgment with Automated Decision-Making (ADM) systems.

‘The Liberals wickedly used the illegal Robodebt scheme to decimate contact channels so people could not connect with Services Australia and make complaints,’ Mr Shorten said.

‘The new staff will be critical to reducing call wait times, speeding up claim payments and giving Australians back some time in their busy lives.’

The debt recovery program falsely accused individuals of owing the government money, resulting in the collection of over $750 million from nearly 400,000 Australians.

The final report of the Robodebt Royal Commission in July included a recommendation for the government to ensure ‘easy and efficient engagement options of online, in person, and telephone communication that take into account the specific circumstances of the customer cohort’.

Video source: Facebook/7 News Australia​

Before the $228 million recruitment initiative, Services Australia had a lower ratio of public servants per capita than at any other point, following a reduction of 3,800 staff during the previous government’s term.

The newly enlisted personnel will be assigned to facilities in major cities and regional areas, including locations such as Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, Toowoomba and Maryborough in Queensland, and Ballarat and LaTrobe Valley in Victoria.

Over 800 individuals have already commenced their training.

With the Royal Commission report concluded, the hope is that the victims can begin to move forward.

Robodebt leaves behind valuable lessons, particularly in the context of the government’s consultation on Safe and Responsible AI use, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability in ADM systems, regardless of their complexity.

Key Takeaways

• The Australian government will recruit 3000 new staff members for Services Australia’s frontline to lessen call wait times and improve customer service for Centrelink and Medicare users.
• The staffing boost is part of the government’s action plan to implement recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission, an initiative to prevent schemes like Robodebt from reoccurring.
• The newly introduced staff will help expedite claim payments and address customer complaints faster, according to Government Services Minister Bill Shorten.
• The recruits will be deployed in capital cities and regional centres across the country, with over 800 people already having begun their training.

Members, what do you think of this story? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

3000 staff members to replace the 3800 lost?