Holiday arrangements for Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support

Department of Human Services customers will notice some changes to payments and services over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen said, as in previous years, all service centres and most phone lines providing Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support services will be closed from 25 to 29 December 2015 and on New Year’s Day.

Mr Jongen said the Department’s Express Plus mobile apps and phone self-service options, as well as online services through myGov, would still be available every day.

“The best way to check your reporting dates, update your details and report your earnings quickly and easily is by taking advantage of these options over the holiday period,” Mr Jongen said.

“Payments will not be delayed by the holiday period but in some instances you may be paid earlier, so you may need to budget for a longer period between payment dates afterwards.

“Customers may also need to report their job search efforts or income early if their usual reporting date falls on a public holiday.

“When reporting, you must include estimates of earnings or other changes for your normal 14 day assessment period. Although your reporting date may be different, the assessment period remains the same.”

Mr Jongen said people can transfer funds to their BasicsCard on public holidays by calling 1800 132 594 from 8am – 5pm, and BasicsCard balances can be checked at any time by calling 1800 057 111. Calls to both lines are free.

“There are no changes to the usual child support payment arrangements, however parents should note late payments made after 24 December may be further delayed by public holidays,” Mr Jongen said.

“The automated Child Support Information Service on 131 107 will still be available.”

Mr Jongen said all essential 24/7 Medicare Provider Services for doctors will remain open and available over the Christmas/New Year period, and customers can lodge some Medicare claims at their doctor’s office or via online services, as usual.

More information is available at humanservices.gov.au/holidays

Related resources

Images

Download image: General Manager Hank Jongen (JPG, 2,201KB)

Download image: Department of Human Services sign (JPG, 452KB)

Audio

Spoken by Department of Human Services General Manger Hank Jongen.

Download audio: Holiday arrangements community announcement (MP3, 992KB)

Transcript: Use self-service options this Christmas and New Year for an easier way of doing your Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support business. Our service centres and most phonelines will be closed from the 25^th until the 29^th of December, as well as New Year’s Day. Visit humanservices.gov.au/holidays to find out more.

Download audio: Holiday arrangements – Audio grab 1 (MP3, 528KB)

Transcript: Services Centres and most phonelines, providing Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support services will be closed from the 25th until the 29th of December and on News Year’s Day.

Download audio: Holiday arrangements – Audio grab 2 (MP3, 471KB)

Transcript: You will still be able to use our self-service options to do your business including myGov, Express Plus mobile apps and phone self-service.