thread: Current phone waiting times at Centrelink (on a working day of course)

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    1,794

    Current phone waiting times at Centrelink (on a working day of course)

    Has anyone rung in the last week or so? How long is the wait?

    I did something online today, and want to talk to someone so planning when to make the call (dependent in waiting times and when DH is home to keep kids amused for me)..

    TIA

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Add CKJ on Facebook

    Dec 2011
    Central Coast NSW
    502

    I called on Tuesday, and after 20+ times of just trying to get through, I was cut off after being on hold for 15+ mins.

    I tried again later in the week and it was about a 10 min wait

    The only thing I can say is don't call first thing, or last thing, or around lunch time!

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Dec 2006
    In my own private paradise
    15,272

    depends on what state you're calling from
    generally by 8.15 (lines open at 8) in the Eastern states there is a queue/wait of up to 10 minutes - by the time the other states join, it is not unusual to be 20+ minutes
    at different points in the day, it blows out to up to 30 minutes, sometimes longer

    after 4pm, in the eastern states, you may start getting an engaged tone, as they start to close the lines when the wait is excessive so that western states can still get through

    my advice is to ALWAYS assume 30+ minutes wait - if you get through sooner than that, fantastic
    and try not to initiate a call after 4 if you can help it, unless you're in WA - then it's probably better to initiate after that time cos the other states start to drop off

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    1,794

    Thanks.. So definatly a mission for when DH gets up after night shift..

    Suppose I should take the advantage of 'me' time while I wait, LOL...