Services Australia has deployed mobile service teams (MST) to support communities in bushfire-affected communities in NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
The Agency (formerly the Department of Human Services) said the MSTs would be equipped with technology to provide immediate on-the-ground assistance.
It said the teams had so far been deployed in Moruya, Batlow, Sussex Inlet and Lake Conjola in NSW, and Cann River, Buchan and Orbost in Victoria.
Minister for Government Services, Stuart Robert said the teams would work alongside the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and would include staff from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) to provide specialised support.
“Services Australia is getting assistance to Australians in bushfire-affected communities and we are working hard to get into more communities each and every day,” Mr Robert said.
“The changing bushfire conditions call for an adaptable approach, and the portable technology Mobile Service Teams bring with them mean they can provide services from wherever they are required at short notice.”
He said the MSTs would complement the recent deployment of the Department’s Mobile Service Centres (MSCs) which were equipped with the same technology as any Centrelink or Medicare Service Centre.
“This week the MSCs deployed to bushfire affected communities including Bundanoon in New South Wales, and Bairnsdale in Victoria,” Mr Robert said.
“Social workers are also on board and can support people with short term counselling and referrals to support services,” he said.
The Minister said Services Australia would also extend operating hours of its disaster phone hotline (180 22 66), some walk-in Service Centres (Centrelink) and Mobile Service Centres and Teams where it was safe to do so this weekend.
