A new Medicare and Centrelink Service Centre will be open in Butler in 2024. Photo: File.
Residents in and around Perth’s far northern beaches region will have better access to Medicare and Centrelink services from early next year with the planned opening of a new Service Centre at 8 Butler Boulevard in Butler.
Federal Minister for Government Services and the NDIS Bill Shorten said the new Butler Service Centre will improve the community’s access to Medicare and Centrelink services in the rapidly growing outer suburbs to the north of the city.
He said the northern corridor of Perth is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, and this new Service Centre would make it easier for residents who would usually travel 10 kilometres or more to Joondalup to access services.
“While many Australians are embracing online services via myGov or Services Australia’s mobile apps, Labor is committed to maintaining and protecting the availability of face-to-face support so that people can get tailored services that meet their needs,” he said.
“The Albanese Labor Government will continue to restore and protect the availability of government services, reversing the decline that occurred under the former Coalition Government.
Mr Shorten said that, following the release of the Ashton Review into staff safety at Services Australia in response to a serious physical attack on a staff member in Melbourne, Services Australia was also prioritising staff and customer safety in its office designs, with Butler to be physically designed to acknowledge important recommendations outlined in the review.
Federal Member for Pearce Tracey Roberts welcomed the announcement to provide better access to vital government services for northern residents.
“I have advocated strongly for these services to be made locally available. This will save residents an hour round trip, so they can access crucial government services where they need them,” Ms Roberts said.
“Centrelink customers will be able to book a face-to-face appointment at a time convenient to them, and access digital coaching appointments to learn more about digital services and provide real-time feedback on their experience”.
