Cairns residents will soon benefit from improved face-to-face Medicare and Centrelink services with the new purpose-built Services Australia precinct office opening soon.
Federal Government Services Minister Stuart Robert, said the upcoming opening of the Cairns precinct demonstrated the Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians had ready access to government services.
“Improving the face-to-face customer experience is an important part of my vision to ensure Services Australia delivers services that are simple, helpful, respectful and transparent,” Mr Robert said.
“Staff and services from five different locations across Cairns, including the Aplin Street, Grafton Street and Mulgrave Road service centres, will co-locate into the new site.
“Bringing these staff and services together in one place will allow for greater collaboration and support between staff which will in turn mean an improved customer experience for Cairns residents.
“As part of the enhanced services provided at the new Cairns Service Centre customers will be able to provide real time feedback on their experience.”
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch, welcomed the government’s continued investment in the Cairns economy.
“This new, purpose built site has been a long time coming and after more than 16 months of construction and fit out works I’m excited to see the final product open in April,” Mr Entsch said.
“The new Cairns Service Centre will be well serviced by public transport, with a bus route that stops directly in front of the Draper Street site. There will also be plenty of onsite parking.
“As well as Centrelink and Medicare services, the government has committed to also delivering Department of Veterans’ Affairs services from this new service centre, meaning Cairns residents can manage more of their government business from one place.”
The new Cairns Service Centre, at 161 Draper Street, will open on Monday, 12 April 2021 and will operate weekdays from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.
The last day of trade for the Aplin Street, Grafton Street and Mulgrave Road Service Centres will be Friday, 9 April 2021.