Service closures during the holidays

OVER the holiday period some services will be closed during normal operating hours or may have adjusted opening times.

Centrelink, child support, and Medicare centres will be closed from 25 to 27 December and again on 1 January.

Phone and internet self-service via myGov and the Centrelink Express App will still be available to customers during this time.

Hank Jongen, Services Australia General Manager, said customers should note that if their payment date changes, they will still receive payment.

“If your regular reporting or payment date falls on a public holiday, it will be changed to the day beforehand,” he said.

“It’s important to remember this is not an extra payment, it’s your regular payment made early.

“You may need to budget carefully so this payment lasts until your next payment is due.”

Medicare’s PBS and organ donor registry are considered critical services and will also still be available over the holiday period.

The City of Greater Bendigo offices will close at 4.30pm in Bendigo and 5pm in Heathcote on 22 December and re-open in the new year from 2 January.

Waste and recycling collections will continue as normal expect for Christmas and New Year’s Day.

People whose rubbish collection falls on either of these days are advised to put their bins out in the evening for collection within the next three days.

For a list of council service closures visit bendigo.vic.gov.au.