The government has unveiled a new mobile app that will apparently allow grey nomads to more easily keep track of their age pensions and other benefits while out on the open road.
The Department of Human Services says Express Plus Seniors App will enable users to transact with government – most notably Centrelink – with a shorter turnaround time.
Calls to the seniors phone line currently take an average of seven minutes, but much of that business is now expected to take a minute or so using a mobile app. The government says tech-savvy grey nomads who use mobile communications to stay connected and manage their personal affairs will be among the major beneficiaries of the new app.
Among its features, the latest mobile app enables users to subscribe to online letters, as well as store letters and documents in a secure information ‘vault’. They can capture and upload documents rather than having to post hard copies.
Pensioners will also be able to view and update personal details, claim an advance and request Centrelink statements.
Minister for Human Services Senator Kim Carr said the app would allow pensioners and part-pensioners to focus more on the things that matter to them.
“It offers an innovative solution for self-proclaimed ‘grey nomads’ – those people who head off to see Australia,” he said. “We know many retired people travel for extended periods of time, and they’re more reliant on mobile technology to manage their affairs.”
More than 600,000 of Australia’s 2.2 million pensioners are already registered to use Centrelink’s online services.
The Express Plus Seniors App is available for free from an App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at iTunes app stores. An Android version can be accessed through Google Play.
Will you use the new app? Will you miss having to make so many phone calls to Centrelink? Comment below
Not all of us have smart phones, iPads etc. will this app be available to use on our everyday laptops?
You can do all the things the app does from australia.gov.au website which gives you access to Centrelink, Medicare and e-health.
Will this app work on an iphone 3G? The info provided suggests compatibility only from the 3GS model.
With thanks,
Mike Thompson