Centrelink have a great problem dealing with me when my postal address being different to where I am. Because my postal address (PO Box) was a mail diversion company in NSW and I was most of the time in WA all my appointments were in Gosford. Residential address was our sons house in WA. I sent Centrelink a photo of a post box and a house explaining that mail goes in a post box and as can't fit in the post box we live in a house. That never worked and they tell me that the system is set up to arrange appointments at a persons postal address. Now that makes a lot of sense.
I just rock up to the closest Centrelink office and say I am not going to Gosford for a meeting and I just gets crossed off as attended. Has worked for 10 years. If Centrelink were a private business would gone broke years ago through inefficiencies.
Your experience with Centrelink, woolman, seems to be quite different to what I experience.
I travel full-time. My postal address does not change - it is in Gippsland in Victoria.
However, I advise, online, my RESIDENTIAL address each time I move to a new camping ground - either "free" camp, camping ground or van park.
Centrelink each time then note that "my" Centrelink office for contact is the one nearest that 'residential' address.
So if I am camped in Atherton QLD, but my postal address remains in Gippsland Victoria, any appointments etc are organised for the Atherton QLD office.
I am also set up with Centrelink for advice by email - so any letter organising an appointment is available online ... with an email advice to logon and read it.
I don't know how you can get the same service from Centrelink - and I sure am glad my experience has not been yours. I am not on DSP but AGE perhaps that is the difference.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Where ever I have had dealing with Centrelink I have always been treated with respect and in returned treated them with respect , I have always been paid on time and my pay is a Monday so when it is a holiday on the Monday I am paid on the Friday on the easter weekend was paid on the Thursday before I think people should realise they has to follow rule and if we want the money we must conform to those rules .
I have just walked out the door of my Centrelink office. While there I asked if my next appointment could through the Tuncurry office as it was closer to home and I had family living there. I was advised that I could rock up to any office on the day of the appointment, be it local or interstate.
We have attended Centrelink at Longreach, Seisa, Bourke, Perth and Kunnunura and have never had a problem. The staff have always been helpful. As stated above if you approach the person in a friendly fashion you usually get good service.
We have a permanent postal address, but our address is listed as "no fixed abode" when we go on-line.
When we are told we have to see Centrelink, we do what they call "a walk in" - just go into your closest office and they will do whatever is required. The rural office staff are much friendlier and helpful though than the city ones
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Cheers Bruce
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