The Turnbull Government will increase staff at Centrelink call centres as anger grows over worsening wait times.

A Current Affair has tested several Centrelink hotlines to see how long the average caller had to wait.

Centrelink claims the average wait-time for the carers' line in January was 31 minutes, but it took A Current Affair one hour and 10 minutes to speak to an operator after the first five attempts resulted in an engaged line.

The debt recovery line was surprisingly fast, with a wait of just two minutes and 15 seconds for those who owe the agency money.

Increased wait times on Centrelink hotlines has led to growing anger for those who have no choice but to hold the line (Source: A Current Affair)

The families line was engaged on the first three attempts and it eventually took one hour and four minutes for an answer.

Centrelink's employment line, for those on Newstart or youth allowance who are looking for a job, was engaged on the seven attempts made to get through.

Unfortunately, giving up on trying to get through is not an option for welfare recipients who rely on Centrelink.

A Current Affair tested several of the hotlines and the wait-times varied

A Current Affair previously spent more than two hours on hold to the employment line during a test of Centrelink hotline wait times in February.

Human Services Minister Alan Tudge denies the system is broken.

"I know it's frustrating for some people when they're on the Centrelink line and have to wait for an extraordinary amount of time. We would like to reduce that call wait time down," he said.

Despite refusing to admit there is a problem, the government has committed to providing an extra 250 staff members for Centrelink call centres in last night's budget.

Shadow Human Services Minister Linda Burney believes the extra funding will do little (Source: A Current Affair)

Shadow Human Services Minister Linda Burney said the government was in denial and the extra funding would do little to solve the problem.

"I am not surprised at all by the test results of your waiting times," she told A Current Affair . "They are exactly what is reflected in the many, many people I've spoken to."