Bribie Islanders will soon have face-to-face access to Federal Government Services like Medicare and Centrelink right on the island.
Services Australia is working to establish an Agent service on Bribie Island that will provide self-service facilities for customers along with trained staff who can provide additional assistance.
Federal Member for Longman Terry Young, who fought hard behind the scenes to secure funding for the service, said he was delighted with the outcome.
“This will mean that residents in the area won’t have to travel to Caboolture to access government services such as Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support.
“Thanks to everyone who signed our online petition and helped make this happen.
“This is a great result and another example of how the Federal Government is delivering for the people of Bribie Island.”
An Expression of Interest process will identify a host organisation and it is expected the Agent will be available in the first half of the year.
Until then Services Australia Community Engagement Officers will continue to support the community, visiting the Bribie Island Neighbourhood Centre in Bellara every Tuesday between 9.30 am and 11 am for appointments.
Services Australia General Manager Hank Jongen said while Agents were not agency staff, they received extensive training and ongoing support to assist locals with access to self-service facilities, certifying Proof of Identity documents and access to general information.
“Agents help people in regional, rural and remote communities to do their business with Services Australia and connect with the services they need, no matter where they live,” Mr Jongen said.
“Increasingly, customers are conducting their business with us online.
“The new Bribie Island Agent service will help people use our digital services with confidence.
“People will be able to visit the Agent and use self-service equipment such as internet-enabled computers and telephone to access government services, scan, print and upload documents and receive advice on how to access the government assistance they need.”
Bribie Island residents will continue to have access to the Caboolture Service Centre at 20‑22 George Street, Caboolture.
For more information about services available at Agents, visit Agents and Access Points – How we can help – Services Australia