Advocates praise Qld government changes to service access

Advocates for older Australians say the Queensland government's move to digitise senior services cards is positive, but flexibility and the option to keep a physical card is needed.

Under changes announced on Wednesday seniors, carers and companion card holders will be able to add their card to the new Service Queensland app, which has replaced the digital licence app.

The move will bring the number of licences and accreditations able to be stored on the app to 22.

Minister for Customer Services Steve Minnikin said the move was about giving older Queenslanders greater choice and access.

"Seniors, carers and companions can now add their cards digitally to the Service Queensland App and keep them alongside their digital driver licence and other credentials," Mr Minnikin said.

"The Crisafulli government is delivering better access to government services for Queenslanders, when and where it suits them, whether it be in person, over-the-phone or online."

The new optional digital cards will "make it easier for eligible Queenslanders to access important credentials", Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services Amanda Stoker said.

"Once the set-up process is done, it's an easier way to have access," Ms Stoker said.

"Importantly, digital cards are optional and physical cards continue to remain valid, so Queenslanders can choose the option that works best for them."

Changes welcomed

National Seniors Australia chief executive Chris Grice said older Australians had gained vastly improved digital literacy skills in recent years.

He said the "flexibility" of the new services plan was vital.

"There's a cohort of older Queenslanders that have embraced digital technology and are happy to use a digital card," Mr Grice said.

"But to still have that convenience of a physical card and physical in-person services are really important for seniors in Queensland."

He said older Australians' concerns about digitisation lay more in personal and cyber-safety.

"That's the piece in which we're finding that older Queenslanders need to still connect with physical services, so that in a lot of cases they can validate what's on their phone," he said.

"They can show somebody and go: 'Is this correct? Did you send this to me?'. And that's where we're finding that it really works when you blend technology and physical services together."

The government announced on Tuesday it would also deliver a "service centre on wheels" for providing government services in regional communities.

It will visit communities across north and Far North Queensland in a regular circuit.

Mr Grice said such a program would make accessing services easier and more consistent.

"And probably most importantly, especially in a challenging environment … taking this stuff on the road and being able to go into the communities that are impacted by a cyclone or some sort of weather event will be really responsive to what the people need, which is in our minds a good thing," he said.

He said it was a relief to see the government expanding services rather than cutting, and said Mr Minnikin had promised to do so in a meeting before he entered government.

"I remember meeting with him before him going into government and he gave a commitment around that he was going to lean into these sorts of services, not withdraw or retract," Mr Grice said.

"And looks like he's held his word."

He said he expected take-up of the digital option to be relatively high.