New online help from Centrelink for carers

The Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, has announced a planned new online service from Centrelink, which will give carers more time to support their loved ones.

Speaking at Carers Week celebrations in Canberra, Senator Ludwig unveiled new eService options for Centrelink nominees, including carers.

The Online Nominee Project is expected to come into service in the first half of next year.

“Being a carer is a full time job and a central part of that is dealing with Centrelink about payments and services,” he said.

“The new online nominee service will make it just that little bit easier and more flexible for carers to deal with Centrelink.”

Carers often act as nominees for Centrelink customers who, for a variety of reasons, may not be able to conduct Centrelink business for themselves.

“Customers and their nominees have told us they want more options in how they contact Centrelink and this new initiative was developed as a direct result of these responses,” Senator Ludwig said.

“The Australian Government acknowledges the valuable contribution of carers to the community, and the new eService options complement the existing assistance and support available through Centrelink.”