Shire of Capel Libraries help sessions in high demand as residents struggle to set up ‘fiddly’ Service WA app

The Shire of Capel Libraries have been in high demand as they offer help sessions for people who are struggling to set up the State Government’s new Service WA app. The free mobile app — launched by the WA government last month — allows people to show proof of vaccination, check in at businesses and venues with SafeWA and access their G2G Pass for interstate travel. However the app has been criticised as being difficult to set up, with even Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson describing the app as “fiddly.” Premier Mark McGowan used Facebook to recommended patrons set aside half an hour to set it up. In response to the difficulties setting up the app, the Shire of Capel Library has offered 20 drop-in sessions this week across the Dalyellup, Boyanup and Iluka branches. Shire of Capel Library Coordinator Kelly Keath said there was a huge demand for help, especially from seniors within the shire. “We received a lot of enquiries in regards to helping our community set up the ServiceWA app especially for our seniors,” she said. “Some of the patrons did not have a smartphone that was capable of installing and setting up the app.” “Some couldn’t link their Medicare account to their MyGov due to the personal questions of information they had to remember. “A lot of people received error messages for various reasons, this added more confusion and time. “ However, Ms Keath said there is still a huge demand for help. “On the first day we had over 60 people turn up, most of them being seniors, with no-one else to help them,” she said. “With limited staff available and each request for help taking on average 20-30 mins, we had to turn some people away and ask them to come back another time.” “On the second day, we helped over 50 people across two branches. There are still a lot of people in need of assistance.” Drop-in sessions for the rest of the week include Thursday 9 to 11am and 1 to 3pm at Capel Library and 1 to 3pm at Dalyellup Library. Friday sessions are offered from 9 to 11am and 1 to 3pm at Dalyellup, and 1 to 3pm at Boyanup Library. The Bunbury Forum Shopping Centre and Harvey Community Recourse Centre are also offering help to set up the Service WA app. Residents are reminded to bring two forms of ID, log-in details to MyGov and access to their email account.