Services Australia staff are calling out for more resources and vaccinations. 

The CPSU says that over 2,000 Services Australia staff have joined an appeal to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds, calling for more help as they respond to surging demand.

With the nation's major cities in lockdown, the agency that delivers welfare payments has had to mobilise thousands of staff in response.

Staff are battling a wave of claims for financial support, but do not have the resources to safely respond to them. 

They have called on the Federal Government to provide equipment including 10,000 mobile phones and fast-tracked technical upgrades so that more employees can work from home during lockdowns.

For those that must work in the office, Services Australia staff want a vaccination blitz to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

“Due to a lack of equipment the agency is bringing thousands of workers in locked down areas into offices for work that can be done at home,” CPSU national president Alistair Waters said. 

“This is just not good enough; it puts workers and their families at risk.

“The most vulnerable in our community rely on workers in Centrelink Service Centres. These workers are absolutely essential.”

Services Australia spokesperson Hank Jongen says the agency cares about the wellbeing of staff and customers, and is adhering to health orders.

“This requires striking a balance between having staff at work to maintain our national network, such as our service centres, while facilitating work from home where practical,” he said.