CENTRELINK CALL WAIT TIMES BLOW OUT

Centrelink call wait times have blown out for older Australians, students, and families and parents.

CALL WAIT TIME INCREASES
| Payment type | 2016-17 | 2017-18 as at 31 March
| Older Australians | 18 minutes and 59 seconds | 23 minutes and 1 second 
| Students | 31 minutes and 15 seconds | 35 minutes and 0 seconds
| Families | 16 minutes and 19 seconds | 21 minutes and 12 seconds

 

Ask any Australian who has had to contact Centrelink, and they will tell you their own personal nightmare.

 

These are just the averages. The reality is, we’ve heard stories of people waiting hours just to speak to someone at Centrelink.

 

The Turnbull Government cut 1,280 staff from the Department of Human Services in this year’s budget.

 

Last year, the Turnbull Government cut 1,180 staff and call wait times and busy signals skyrocketed.

 

The truth is Centrelink is understaffed and under-resourced.

 

These job cuts will make it more difficult to contact and access Centrelink.

 

Meanwhile, Malcolm Turnbull has outsourced 1,250 jobs to labour hire. This Government is selling Centrelink jobs piece by piece.

 

Morale at Centrelink is at an all-time low.

 

Centrelink needs permanent full time staff who are supported, familiar and equipped to manage the often complex issues facing income support recipients.

 

The Turnbull Government is simply trying to make it so difficult for Australians to claim income support in the hope they just give up.