The Latest Breaking News from Services Australia

Staffing boost returns humans to Centrelink services

Thousands more frontline workers are being hired to improve Centrelink and Medicare services, in line with recommendations from the robodebt royal commission.

AAP · Nov 5, 2023

Services Australia targets call wait times with 3000 extra staff

About 500 staff will be in Canberra.

The Canberra Times · Nov 5, 2023

Centrelink officials recalled to Senate estimates after failing to answer ‘basic questions’

Request for welfare agency to return on 7 November follows ‘unnaceptable’ October hearing about growing call and payment wait times

The Guardian - AU · Nov 2, 2023

Centrelink issues 2.8m busy messages to callers in only two months as wait times blow out

Crossbench MPs raise alarm with minister as Services Australia data shows only 23% of calls were answered in July and August

The Guardian - AU · Oct 25, 2023

Busy message greets one-in-five welfare agency callers

Millions of people making calls for help to Services Australia are hanging up in frustration after being left hanging on the telephone.

AAP · Oct 25, 2023

Centrelink jobseeker payments suspended more than 450,000 times in three months

Exclusive: New figures reveal mutual obligations system responsible for the vast majority of welfare suspensions

The Guardian - AU · Oct 23, 2023

Afternoon Update: Australia urges restraint in Israel-Palestine; Services Australia staff strike; and China’s shift away from the west

The Australian government has urged for civilian lives to be protected during Israel-Palestine conflict

The Guardian - AU · Oct 9, 2023

Meet the public service agency that is 'too nice'

It turns out having a friendly workplace isn't always a good thing.

The Canberra Times · Sep 17, 2023

CPSU split on APS-wide pay bargaining, as some members call for more aggressive approach

Section of union pushes to reject 11.2 per cent offer.

The Canberra Times · Sep 10, 2023

Marise Payne to quit parliament – as it happened

This blog is now closed.

The Guardian - AU · Sep 8, 2023