Federal Government

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Click in the download box on your right to download the Australian Government's Directory of Services for Older People 2011 - it will open as a PDF file in a new window which you can then save to your computer.

Aged Care in Australia: http://www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au
Phone: 1800 200 422
Aged Care Australia is the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing’s premier online source of information for everything you need to know about aged care.

Australian Department of Health and Ageing: http://www.health.gov.au
Phone: 1800 020 103
The Department of Health and Ageing website contains links to information about services available to older people and their carers, research and policy on ageing, the Ageing and Aged Care Division, and contacts.

Australian Human Rights Commission - Age Discrimination: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/age/index.html
Phone: (02) 9284 9600
Complaints Infoline: 1300 656 419
General enquiries and publications: 1300 369 711
The Commission has a particular focus on addressing the barriers to equality and participation faced by mature workers, older Australians, and young people. The website contains information on the research and education and policy activities the Commission undertakes in order to build awareness of the Age Discrimination Act 2004 and to tackle the attitudes and stereotypes that can lead to age discrimination.

Age Discrimination Commissioner: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/about/president_commissioners/ryan.html
The Federal Age Discrimination Commissioner, The Hon. Susan Ryan AO, was appointed Australia’s first Age Discrimination Commissioner on 30 July 2011 for a five year term. She is responsible for raising awareness of age discrimination, educating the community about the impact of age discrimination, and monitoring and advocating for the elimination of age discrimination across all areas of public life.

Australian Tax Office: http://www.ato.gov.au
Phone (personal tax enquiries): 13 28 61
Superannuation enquiries: 13 10 20
For information about the Senior Australians Tax Offset, tax thresholds, etc., contact the Australian Tax Office. During tax time ATO provides free taxation advisors and assistance operating through local community libraries and centres; contact the ATO to find out if you are eligible.

Centrelink: http://www.centrelink.gov.au
Information on the various social security payments and services which Centrelink provides to the Australian public. Go to http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/contact_us/phone.htm for a listing of Centrelink phone numbers for the various service or payment options.

Centrelink Grandparent Advisors: http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/individuals/grandparent_advisors.htm
Phone: 1800 245 965
Grandparent Advisors have been introduced in selected Centrelink Customer Service Centres to support grandparents with full-time caring responsibility for their grandchildren. Visit the above link for more information.

Commonwealth Ombudsman: http://www.ombudsman.gov.au/
Phone: 1300 362 072
The Commonwealth Ombudsman’s office considers and investigates complaints from people who believe they have been treated unfairly or unreasonably by an Australian Government department or agency, including the Australian Taxation Office, Australia Post, Centrelink, Child Support Agency, and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres: http://www9.health.gov.au/ccsd/
Phone: 1800 052 222
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres are information centres for older people, people with disabilities and those who provide care and services. Centres provide free and confidential information on community aged care, disability and other support services available locally, interstate or anywhere within Australia. The network of 54 Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres has around 65 ‘walk-in’ shopfronts throughout Australia, with many located near or within shopping centres. Find your nearest centre by clicking HERE.

Department of Veterans Affairs: http://www.dva.gov.au
Phone: 13 32 54
The DVA exists to serve members of Australia’s veteran and defence force communities, war widows and widowers, and widows and dependents, through programs of care, compensation, commemoration and defence support services.

HealthInsite: http://www.healthinsite.gov.au
Phone: 1800 022 222
HealthInsite is a health information service sponsored by the Australian Government. The website provides quality information on a range of health topics.

Medicare: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/
Phone: 13 20 11
Find information on rates, rebates, etc. You can now lodge some Medicare claims online through their Online Services system – click HERE to find out how to register.

Money Smart: http://www.moneysmart.gov.au
Phone: 1300 300 630
Money Smart is an online information service that offers simple guidelines, facsheets and booklets on various financial services. The website was developed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which is Australia’s corporate, markets and financial services regulator.

Office of Hearing Services: http://www.health.gov.au/hear
Phone: 1800 500 726
The Office of Hearing Services runs the Australian Governmen Hearing Services Program. The Office issues vouchers to eligible clients to access hearing assessments and devices from providers of their choice, and also administers the provision of hearing services for eligible clients with special needs. Phone or click the above link to find out more.

Seniors.gov.au: http://www.seniors.gov.au
Phone: 1800 500 853
Seniors.gov.au is the Australian Government’s premier source of information for Australians over 50. The website provides you with a single point of access to government and non-Government information and services for older Australians.

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