The new Centrelink call centre on Learmonth Road is up and running at the former Masters Home Improvement building.
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Dubbed a 'smart centre', as it includes staff receiving calls from clients and processing their claims and requests, the building has been completely transformed - staff began moving in from June.
It's understood a majority of staff are continuing to work from home while restrictions are in place, with a limited number on-site at the new location.
While Services Australia did not answer questions regarding how many staff will operate from the centre, nor how long the lease is for, the redevelopment occurred because the previous call centre, on Gillies Street, was too small for the expanding workforce.
That building has been sold, according to real estate agents Colliers International.
Services Australia general manager Hank Jongen said in a statement the Learmonth Road building was "fit for purpose".
"We continually review all of our properties to ensure they're fit for purpose and provide a suitable work environment for our staff," he said.
"Our move into Learmonth Road in Wendouree is a recent example of a property upgrade which delivers a fit for purpose work environment for our Ballarat-based Smart Centre team.
"It's been a big year for our staff here in Ballarat, who worked tirelessly in support of Australians impacted by the bushfires and Covid-19 pandemic.
"To help keep the community safe we encouraged people to claim online or via phone wherever possible, which meant our staff here in Ballarat were busier than ever, while also facing disruptions to their own lives due to stage 3 restrictions. They are an incredibly committed group.
"They've helped provide support to millions of Australian's over the phone and assisted with processing more than 1.7 million job seeker claims, as well as over ten thousand Pandemic Disaster Payments."
Earlier this year, it was revealed the building's owner, Home Consortium, had big plans for the 40,000 square-metre site.
These could potentially include a 1700 square-metre childcare centre with spaces for 122 children, a medical centre, gym, and several office spaces.
Planning documents were submitted to council in July.
Home Consortium was contacted for comment, but none was received by deadline.
First opening on Learmonth Road in 2013, Masters Home Improvement closed in 2016 when the company collapsed, leaving the massive building vacant for years until the Centrelink announcement earlier this year.
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