One stop shop for Medicare and Centrelink
The Government has announced major reforms to Australian Government service delivery.
Agencies that have direct contact with the public, such as Medicare and Centrelink, will be merged into a “one-stop” shop under changes to the sector announced by Human Services Minister, Chris Bowen.
In a major overhaul to the way health rebates and welfare payments are delivered, the Government will begin establishing offices around the country that will incorporate Medicare, Centrelink, the Child Support Agency and disability service organisation CRS Australia under the one roof.
The Government is claiming the reform will deliver service that ‘works for you’. Medicare and Centrelink will also be moved into the Human Services portfolio.
Minister Bowen said the changes will improve service delivery and reduce bureaucratic processes and duplication.
“There is not enough coordination between our service delivery agencies,” he said.
“This reform is about cutting red tape and making processes more efficient for those who require a Government service and those who provide it.”
The Government plans to set up 20 new offices around the country by the end of next year and will increase that to 40 by the end of 2012.
Almost 30 remote and regional Indigenous areas have also been earmarked as priorities for improved services and a mobile office for rural areas, based on the existing “drought bus” will also be established.
Mr Bowen says the changes are needed as the population ages and more older people will require pension and carer payments.
He says people who require assistance will only have to explain their situation once, instead of repeating their story to several agencies.
All agencies will also have the same phone number and website. More information is available at http://www.worksforyou.gov.au
