A DEPARTMENT of Human Services office expected to house 400 jobs is headed for Geelong.

It comes after the Geelong Advertiser revealed on Saturday a mystery commonwealth department was looking to join the National Disability ­Insurance Agency in Geelong.

And the construction of a building to house the two is ­expected to create hundreds of construction jobs, as well as ­indirect employment opportunities for the city.

It is unclear how many staff will be relocated from Melbourne or interstate, with the DHS currently only having a modest presence in Geelong.

The addition of a DHS ­office to the NDIA space has effectively doubled the size of a 6900sq m property initially sought in a tender request ­released by the NDIA last year but put on hold shortly before Christmas.

A revised brief released yesterday called for a 13,880sq m property — similar in size to the TAC office at 60 Brougham St, Geelong.

The change to the NDIA tender process will probably add a second large government building project to the city, with WorkSafe Victoria soon expected to announce plans to develop a central Geelong site as its new home.

NDIA chief executive David Bowen said the city was becoming an insurance centre.

“Geelong is fast becoming an insurance hub with the Transport Accident Commission already based here and WorkSafe Victoria relocating to the area in the coming years,” Mr Bowen said.

He added that the NDIA was happy for another government department to join it.

Both the NDIA and DHS are expected to bring together staff now located across multiple buildings in Geelong.

Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson yesterday said the decision would bring many opportunities to Geelong.

“It’s a great boost for our city,” she said.

“The headquarters will also deliver several hundred jobs during construction.

“There are so many ­additional benefits for Geelong, in terms of indirect ­employment for organisations working with and servicing the NDIA and DHS.

“The location of hundreds of employees in the Geelong CBD will have a multiplier ­effect on jobs, growth and ­investment.”

Michael King, who has earmarked his Myer St property as a development ­opportunity for the influx of state and federal government tenants, said it raised the ­potential of a commonwealth government precinct in Geelong.

“This is great news, underlining the vibrant future that lies ahead for Geelong as a national provider of ­professional services,” Mr King said.