Minister for Government Services and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Shorten MP is urging Australians to skip the queues in Services Australia service centres and use the new national online booking system.

“At last, you can book appointments to see Services Australia online, not just turn up and be kept waiting,” Minister Shorten said.

“After a successful pilot in Hobart earlier this year, Australians can now use the new online booking capability to make appointments in more than 300 service centres nationally.

“The online appointment booking option will be particularly helpful to older and younger Australians, people with disability, parents with young children and carers, who are part of the cohort this new system was designed to assist now.”

Since recently launching, already more than 81,700 appointments have been booked online.

Centrelink customers can book a 15-minute phone appointment or 30-minute face to face appointment with a staff member at their local Services Australia service centre.

Customers can book, reschedule or cancel some appointments using their Centrelink online account through myGov or the Centrelink Express Plus mobile app.

The range of appointments that can be booked include:

• ABSTUDY
• Age Pension
• Carer Payment
• Digital Coaching
• Disability Support Pension
• JobSeeker Payment
• Parenting Payment – partnered
• Parenting Payment – single
• Youth Allowance
• My Aged Care - general face to face appointments

Minister Shorten said the new appointment booking option was proving very popular, as people value the ability to book, reschedule or cancel an appointment online so they don’t have to spend time in a queue.

“We know people want the convenience online services provide, but sometimes they need to talk to someone. This new service offers the best of both worlds for people who want or need to visit their local service centre,” Minister Shorten said.

“People can go online and choose a time that suits them for an appointment, either on the phone or at their chosen service centre, and they don’t have to spend time in a queue.”

Minister Shorten said ongoing improvements mean more Australians are getting the assistance they need, when they need it.

“The recent onboarding of an additional 3000 staff has already reduced claims backlogs and phone wait times. The online appointment booking capability is another step the right direction toward improving access to services,” Minister Shorten said.

For more information visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/appointments