Centrelink and I have quite a long history. First there was the time I tried to get Centrelink, but apparently having parents living in Fiji wasn't enough to have me declared independent. Then my smooth transition into Youth Allowance, and even the time I was legitimately unemployed. Centrelink is the income source for struggling writers? Right? But now I'm studying full time, and once again Centrelink payments help make this possible. I've had my share of bad experiences, long waits at the Marion Centrelink and unhelpful staff at Noarlunga. Norwood Centrelink? Not a chance. I can't speak for this place all the time, but I walked in on a Thursday morning around 11:30 and was in and out of there in about 15 minutes. I was a little shell-shocked to be honest. I've been lucky to encounter many lovely people at Centrelink in the past, but I've never encountered such speed! No sarcasm. I'm serious. This really was all sunshine, lollypops, and rainbows. They were back-paying me money, wishing me well on my head-cold, and doing it all with a smile. F*** Yeah Centrelink Norwood! read more

Amazing quality, primo quality, primo price, pretty good eh - Centrelink Norwood has provided me with that glow-up few people have seen, at an affordable price! I love Centrelink! Can't wait to visit again! read more

I'm writing about Centrelink in Leichhardt Sydney NSW as this is where I have most of my experiences. Centrelink on the phone service is appalling. I spend AT LEAST an hour on hold no matter what the reason that I am calling up, and no matter what time. This morning I rang at 8am on the dot because calls don't go through a minute earlier and any later than this time and I risk being on the phone for longer than this ridiculous wait time. The Centrelink app is equally as non-functional. If there is even the slightest deviance from the regular way of reporting, such as needing to add a new employer, or reporting '0 income' for an employer that I normally don't report this amount for, then the entire app shuts down and DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO REPORT AT ALL, and my payment is delayed. I then have to pick up the phone - and go through the whole process. So after the app failing, the phone failing to get through I then go into Centrelink IN PERSON. Over the years I have spent in excess of 1.5 hours waiting in the queue or the chairs in these offices. Today the problem that could be solved quickly was solved quickly at the front office which was a great and unexpected change from the norm. I then chose to take the 1 hour wait time to try and resolve the more complex issues - such as why I have no 'working credits' even though I have been reporting 0 while looking for work for the last three months. To my dismay, I am not able to get working credits, or support for study - unless it is full time. I can barely express the level of frustration, rage, hopelessness, despair that centrelink has caused me over the many years as a late teen and early adult, with no other option than to rent and study at the same time. It has been the most challenging period for me, and Centrelink seemed to be hindering more than it is helping, sending constant threatening letters and treating me like someone who is a thief rather than someone who is worth of respect, dignity, compassion, empathy, understanding and common decency and is simply in need of SOME HELP. I have since worked and been trained by a range of organisations that I admired for their values of service and if they EVER treated customers or clients the way that Centrelink has continually treated me over the years there would be no WAY that business would continue. It is not acceptable. Centrelink as an organisation should absolutely be held accountable for the way they treat the people they are supposed to serve is NOT FAIR and it is not right. read more

First week in July when most financial figures changes and I was here around 9.30am and there's no queue! The first filter, what's your concern and I was directed to the appropriate person who can assist me. Yep, log onto the Internet and away you go, I was told by one staff and I knew that's not possible but I couldn't argue and cause a scene. I did some changes which I didn't plan to and another staff was more helpful when I told him I couldn't alter the information online, he totally agreed and asked me to use the phone there to report the amendment, that's better! There were 10 phones which are direct line to many areas of Centrelink with special numbers. As this is the busy period, I was on hold for more than half hour, and when I got through, the operator was most polite and obtained my information and acted efficiently. There are at least 10 computers there for clients to use and printing of documents is free! The patient staff will help you if you are not computer savvy. The only problem is once again getting to where you want online is slow due to the 'heavy traffic' at that time of the day. Staff did suggest that one should then log on after hours (which means logging privately at home). Whatever you would need from Centrelink and as to why you are there, please ensure you are well prepared with all your private information on hand as well as your password to your account. You are encouraged to self serve online which could be quite daunting for some using the computer. I find that staff are very helpful and courteous including the security guard in the foyer! To note: there's no toilet facilities within the Centrelink office for public use. read more

As a senior who is not very computer-savvy I found customer service from the Norwood staff to be outstanding - each person I dealt with was understanding, patient, friendly, and exceedingly helpful. I had been tearing my hair out at home trying to apply for the Age Pension online, however was never made to feel ignorant by the professional people who assisted me in the office when I landed with all my paperwork. All in all, a very positive experience, and a special thank you to Kerri. read more