Cashless Debit Card information

Cashless debit card – Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region

What area will the cashless debit card cover in the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region?

The card will be rolled out across the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region and will include the townships of Bagara, Elliot Heads, Woodgate, Branyan, Booyal, Burrum Heads, Torbanlea, Toogoom, Howard, Childers, Burnett Heads, River Heads and Point Vernon.

When will the cashless debit card commence in the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region?

The Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cashless Debit Card Trial Expansion) Bill 2018 was passed by Parliament on Tuesday 11 September 2018. The card will be rolled out progressively from early 2019 in the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region.

Who will receive the cashless debit card in the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region?

About 6,000 people, aged 35 years and under who receive Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance (Job seeker), Parenting Payment (Single) or Parenting Payment (Partnered) will receive the card.

How does the cashless debit card work?

The cashless debit card looks and operates like a normal bank card, except it cannot be used to buy alcohol or gambling products, or to withdraw cash. For more information about how the card works visit the main cashless debit card page.

Why the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region?

The Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region was selected as the fourth site for the cashless debit card program following calls for the card from key stakeholders in the region to address social issues such as high youth unemployment and intergenerational welfare dependence. The Department of Social Services conducted over 180 consultations with a broad range of stakeholders, including the community sector, service providers, community members, church groups, the business sector and all levels of government, which demonstrated strong levels of support.

The Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region is an opportunity for Government to test the card’s flexibility as a tool to support people in non-remote locations and to help address these key social problems identified during consultations.

What support services will be available for people on the cashless debit card in the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region?

The Australian Government will make an additional investment of $1 million for support services to assist participants with budgeting and financial planning and to help people access drug and alcohol services.

There will be an intense effort on the ground in the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region to transition people onto the card. This will include budget and financial planning support.

People with the card will be able to check their account balance or transaction history and replace lost or stolen cards at no cost. Also at no cost, people will be able to receive help including:

• access to the card provider customer support centre

• interactive voice response for balance enquiries, a mobile phone app and text alerts to keep people informed.

People will still be able to use Centrepay and the Rent Deduction Scheme.

For more information, contact the cashless debit card hotline on 1800 252 604 (free call) or email cashlessdebitcard@dss.gov.au

This information is from the Department of Social Services website: https://www.dss.gov.au/families-and-children-programs-services-welfare-quarantining-cashless-debit-card/cashless-debit-card-bundaberg-and-hervey-bay-region