CSA staff will be available for appointments at Centrelink, 298 Maude St, Shepparton, from 10am to 3.30pm, on Thursday 18 February 2010.
People interested in an appointment are encouraged to ring 131 272, ask about the Shepparton outreach service and request a suitable appointment time.
As this appointment service is conducted away from a CSA office, appointments are preferred so CSA customer service officers can research each individual case prior to the visit and provide more specific and personalised assistance.
CSA Bendigo Regional Service Centre team leader, Anthony Purcell, said the CSA sought to continue to provide excellent service to separated parents in regional areas.
“We have therefore extended our service to include regular visits to areas with a higher density of child support cases,” he said.
“We understand how hard it can be for some people living in smaller regional or remote towns to get to an office. Many have told us they have had to take a day off work to travel to discuss their child support matters. CSA wants to alleviate this inconvenience.
“The service is also ideal for parents who might suffer from hearing loss or have trouble understanding information over the phone. Often when you speak to someone face-to-face complex information can be easier to understand.”
Mr Purcell said customers were also encouraged to use the CSAonline service on the CSA website at www.csa.gov.au, to update their personal details online and communicate with CSA staff.
“Our website also has a Community Services Directory and useful tools such as a Care Estimator and the Child Support and Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Estimator,” he said.
Media enquiries: Email juliea.lawrence@humanservices.gov.au or call 0421 036 602.