The Albanese Government says it is creating thousands of new jobs to enhance Centrelink and Medicare services.

After the former Liberal government drastically reduced the frontline staff at Services Australia, making way for profit-driven programs like Robodebt, Labor says it is injecting $228 million in funding to bolster frontline staffing and service delivery.

Up to 3,000 new recruits will be based in ‘smart centres’ across major cities and regional areas, including Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour in NSW, Toowoomba and Maryborough in Queensland, and Ballarat and LaTrobe Valley in Victoria. 

Recruitment has already begun, with over 800 individuals accepting job offers and commencing the onboarding process.

The Royal Commission into Robodebt recommended that the government should facilitate easy and efficient engagement options, taking into account the specific circumstances of the customer cohort, which includes online, in-person, and telephone communication.

By reintroducing human resources to government services and adopting a people-centred approach, Labor claims it can prevent a recurrence of the Robodebt debacle.

Services Australia currently has fewer public servants per capita than ever before, due to the prior Liberal government's reduction of 3,800 staff at the agency.

The additional staffing should help reduce call wait times, expedite claim payments, and provide Australians with more efficient service.