The Mobile Service Centre Golden Wattle is travelling through the Loddon Mallee region to provide support to rural and regional communities nearby.

Mobile Service Centre staff help customers with essential government services including Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support services.

Golden Wattle is one of three trucks in the Mobile Service Centre fleet operated by Services Australia.

Minister for Government Services Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said Mobile Service Centres demonstrate the Government’s commitment to ensuring all Australians get the support they need, no matter where they live, particularly following a natural disaster.

“It’s important that communities in rural and remote areas can access essential government services easily, so they can get on with their lives,” Minister Reynolds said.

“In total, Mobile Service Centres have travelled over 970,000 kilometres since 2006 and have assisted over 166,000 customers in more than 5,400 communities.

“Golden Wattle will continue its travel through regional Victoria during late February and March to ensure people in these regions can still access the services they need in 2022.”

Member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster said the versatility of the Mobile Service Centres means they can quickly move to different regions and are often one of the first points of contact for people following an emergency.

“The trucks have been involved in 28 emergency responses where crews have spent over 400 days in around 300 different communities,” Dr Webster said.

“Mobile Service Centre staff have assisted over 20,000 people affected by natural disasters.”

Dr Webster also said anyone with Centrelink or Medicare questions should head down and talk to the staff aboard Golden Wattle.

“Staff on board provide friendly face-to-face services, information and support tailored to customers in these rural and regional communities,” she said.

“They’re able to help with Centrelink claims, Medicare registrations and a number of other essential government services.”

All of the services provided on Golden Wattle are offered with strict COVID-19 safety precautions in place.

Mobile Service Centre locations:

Kerang: Monday 28 February and Tuesday 1 March
Pyramid Hill: Wednesday 2 March
Bridgewater: Thursday 3 March
Boort: Tuesday 8 March
Quambatook: Wednesday 9 March
Charlton: Thursday 10 and Friday 11 March
Wedderburn: Tuesday 15 March
Donald: Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 March

More detailed information about the Mobile Service Centres’ upcoming stopping locations will be made available on the Services Australia website at: servicesaustralia.gov.au/mobileoffice