Centrelink services at Lightning Ridge are changing from Monday 22 October 2018.The department’s service centre at 12 Opal Street, Lightning Ridge will be replaced with an Agent service, run by the Walgett Shire Council at the same location.
In doing so, the site joins a network of more than 350 Agents across Australia offering Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support services to Australians living in rural and remote communities.
The move has been prompted by the very small number of customers seeking face to face services in Lightning Ridge.
This has meant the service centre is currently only open for four hours a day, between 8.30 am and 12.30 pm.
Departmental spokesman Hank Jongen said the new Agent service would be open from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4 pm weekdays, offering more hours in the day for people to visit.
“Agents can support people to do most of their everyday business with us,” Mr Jongen said.
“They can help people use our online and phone services. They can sight, copy and certify documents.
“They also provide access to free facilities such as printers and internet-enabled computers to help people complete departmental business.
“The department provides appropriate training and technical support for Agent sites.”
Walgett Service Centre on the corner of Euroka Street and Fox Street will remain open.
