An overhaul of the Department of Human Services website is making it easier for people to read and access Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support information and services online.
The new humanservices.gov.au site was switched on in late August, after comprehensive research and public testing.
An initial trial site was launched on 28 June 2017. More than 57,000 people visited the site and provided over 1,800 pieces of feedback, which helped refine the new design and features.
Enhancements to the website include:
- Simplification of the language used for more than 90 payments and services. Over 138,000 words have been reviewed and revised to meet plain English standards;
- A new look and feel to make the site easier to use, especially on mobile devices; and
- An improved on-site search function and additional navigation to help people quickly find what they need.
The Department worked closely with the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) to improve the website. Following successful assessments against the first two stages (Alpha and Private Beta) of the DTA’s Digital Service Standards, the new site design moved to live release.
Minister for Human Services, Alan Tudge said the website redesign is another example of the Government’s commitment to transforming the delivery of welfare payments and making it easier for people to interact online.
“The new website makes it easier to find information, which will reduce the need for people to call or visit a service centre,” Minister Tudge said.
“There has never been better investment in IT and digital services than what is taking place right now under the Turnbull Government – this is making it much easier to do business with Government and saving time for busy Australians.
“This is just the beginning of our site’s improvements with further content and usability enhancements to be applied over the next year.”
These changes are just one element of the Government’s service delivery transformation – which also includes the billion dollar WPIT programme, upgraded myGov site, new $600 million telephony system, the streamlining of other welfare payment claims, 250 new call centre staff and other measures to reduce call wait times and improving processing efficiencies.