The Australian Government has created 11 new jobs in the Central Victoria region as part of its $228 million commitment to deliver new staff to Services Australia.
Since 8 January, 22 new Service Officers have commenced in the Bendigo Smart Centre, 11 of these as part of the 3,000 new staff on boarded at the Agency.
Across Australia, from regional Queensland to Tasmania, these 3,000 recruits are training to improve customer experience, processing claims and answering calls.
Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters MP said the 11 extra staff in Bendigo would help improve access to Centrelink payments and services.
“This Government is committed to supporting Australians when they need it most,” Ms Chesters said.
“When Labor formed government in May 2022, the Liberals had eroded government services across the nation.
“As well as the Robodebt catastrophe, the Liberals slashed jobs at Services Australia, just as Australians where emerging from the colossal Covid-19 pandemic.
“Since Labor was last in Government more than a decade ago, staffing levels at Services Australia have declined.
“In 2011-2012, there were about 37,000 staff employed at Services Australia.
“Today, even with the additional positions, staffing levels are more than 3,000 fewer than they were a decade ago.
“People work at Services Australia because they want to make a difference, and the thousands of applications the agency’s received for these roles are testament to that,” Ms Chesters said.
“These new permanent jobs will help all Bendigo residents who accesses government services.
“It’s also a welcome boost for Services Australia’s dedicated staff who have been feeling the pressures of under-resourcing and can now focus on providing the best possible service to Australians.”
Staff were recruited across the country, including in regional locations such as Townsville, Cairns, Toowoomba and Maryborough, Alice Springs, the Illawarra and regional Victoria.
The extra staff includes a bolstering of interpreters to help the agency engage with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
“These extra resources are also on top of the additional 850 emergency response staff announced in the Federal Budget,” Ms Chesters said.
“The contingency to manage natural disasters has already been called on during the agency’s support to Far North and South East Queensland during the devastating floods.
“This boost has created jobs across the country and will deliver a better government services experience for all Australians.”