Liverpool residents will benefit from better access to government services when the Department of Human Services brings Medicare and Centrelink services together to form a new one-stop shop.
All staff offering Medicare services from the service centre within Westfield Liverpool shopping centre will move down the road to the larger Liverpool Service Centre on Northumberland Street from Monday 14 March 2016. The new location will offer residents the same level of service.
Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen said over 200 communities around Australia now have access to the Department’s one-stop shops.
“Bringing Medicare and Centrelink services together under one roof allows residents to do more of their government business from the one place without having to travel,” Mr Jongen said.
“Introducing this one-stop shop to Liverpool also reflects changes in the way customers are choosing to claim their Medicare rebate.
“There has been a significant decrease in the number of people visiting our service centres thanks to the introduction of a range of alternative claiming options, and the demand for the Liverpool Service Centre within the Westfield shopping centre has halved.
“This is largely due to the move away from cash rebates for Medicare services in 2012, and the growing number of people choosing to claim their rebate electronically at the doctor’s surgery.”
Nationally, more than 96 per cent of all Medicare claims are lodged electronically, with most submitted at the point of service, and Mr Jongen encouraged Liverpool residents to take advantage of claiming their rebate items straight from the surgery to save a trip into the service centre.
“Claiming your Medicare rebate directly at the point of service is the best way, and if your doctor doesn’t offer this service, you should ask them why,” Mr Jongen said.
“I also encourage local residents to check out the range of digital services available through myGov and the Department of Human Services Express Plus mobile apps.
“These options enable people to do their routine government business where and when it suits them, and staff can show customers how to sign up for and use myGov account or the mobile apps so they can claim most of their Medicare rebates from home.
“Staff at the Liverpool One-stop Shop will always be available to provide face-to-face services to people who require more intensive or personalised support.”
The Liverpool Service Centre is located at 211–231 Northumberland Street and is open Monday to Friday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
