General manager Hank Jongen encouraged anyone with non-urgent Centrelink, Medicare or Child Support business to consider holding off calling or visiting the department during the action.

“Although we saw only minimal service disruptions during similar industrial action last week, I again urge the public to delay calling the department or visiting a service centre tomorrow unless they have urgent business,” Mr Jongen said.

“Payments will not be impacted. Staff will still be available to assist people in need, but industrial action may affect phone and face-to-face services.

“We encourage people to consider using self-service options including the Express Plus mobile apps and myGov to do their regular business with us.”

Mr Jongen said it is unfortunate people trying to access Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support services are being inconvenienced.

“It’s frustrating the CPSU continues to take industrial action while we are bargaining before the Fair Work Commission,” Mr Jongen said.

“Instead, the CPSU should be focused on working with us on delivering an enterprise agreement that meets the department’s operational and service delivery requirements while giving our staff a well-deserved pay rise.”

Information on digital self-service options is available at humanservices.gov.au/selfservice.