People living in rural communities will soon be able to access a wider range of Australian Government assistance from a new travelling outreach service.
Launching the Australian Government Mobile Offices, Minister for Human Services, Chris Bowen MP, said the initiative will help to bridge service delivery gaps in rural communities.
"Distance and geographic isolation have always represented enormous challenges for service delivery in rural Australia," Mr Bowen said.
"Traditionally, people have had to travel to larger towns to access services. Others may be reluctant to approach the government for help or are unaware that assistance is available."
The Centrelink-led Mobile Office initiative brings together a wide range of payments and services offered through Centrelink and Medicare Australia in one convenient location. Australian Hearing will also provide hearing tests at selected locations.
"These Mobile Offices will travel to small communities throughout rural Australia and offer friendly, face-to-face discussions with local residents and businesses about their assistance options," Mr Bowen said.
"Seniors, students, families, farmers and agriculture-dependent small businesses can talk with experienced rural servicing specialists on these Mobile Offices. These staff live and work in the communities they serve and understand the local issues."
Mr Bowen said the Mobile Office initiative builds on the success of the previous Drought Bus program, which provided assistance to drought-affected farmers.
"The Drought Bus showed us that taking services to the people, rather than expecting people to come to the service, was a better way to reach those living in rural communities and meet the changing needs of rural Australians."
In its three years on the road, the Drought Bus program helped more than 30,000 people – the majority of whom had never previously approached agencies such as Centrelink for help.
"The Mobile Office builds on this servicing model. It's physically much larger and offers many of the facilities you'd find in a Centrelink office, such as waiting areas, private interview rooms and information stands," Mr Bowen said.
"The Mobile Office's fully-flat floor – even when the side is extended – is an Australian first and makes it accessible to wheelchairs. All of its computers and printers operate on wireless technology which gives staff the freedom to move around the vehicle. It also offers self-service facilities."
The Mobile Office can also be relocated quickly to provide emergency assistance in national emergencies such as bushfires, severe storms and floods.
The Australian Government Mobile Office initiative is part of Centrelink's Supporting Rural Australia Strategy which uses rural call centres, specialist rural officers and access points to meet the specific needs of rural communities.
22 October 2009