The Department of Human Services
The Department of Human Services was created on 26 October 2004, as part of the Finance Portfolio, to improve the development and delivery of Government social and health related services to the Australian people.
The Department of Human Services is responsible for the development of service delivery policy and provides access to social, health and other payments and services. It was created on 26 October 2004 as part of the Finance and Administration portfolio. The Human Services Legislation Amendment Act 2011 integrated the services of Medicare Australia, Centrelink and CRS Australia on 1 July 2011 into the Department of Human Services.
The payments and services the department delivers
The department offers a range of health, social and welfare payments and services through the:
Medicare program which looks after the health of Australians through the efficient delivery of programs such as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register and the Australian Organ Donor Register.
Centrelink program which delivers a range of payments and services for retirees, the unemployed, families, carers, parents, people with disabilities, Indigenous Australians, and people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and provides services at times of major change.
Child Support program which provides support to separated parents to provide the financial and emotional support necessary for their children’s wellbeing.
CRS Australia which assists people with an injury or a disability to find employment or return to work by providing individualised vocational rehabilitation, and help their employers to keep their workplaces safe. For more information visit www.crsaustralia.gov.au.
Australian Hearing is one of the largest hearing service providers in the world and is dedicated to helping people manage their hearing impairment so they have a better quality of life. Australian Hearing provides a full range of hearing services for children and young people up to the age of 26, eligible adults and aged pensioners, and most war veterans. For more information visit www.hearing.com.au.
Legislation administered by the Minister
The Minister is responsible for administering the following legislation for the Human Services Portfolio:
- Australian Hearing Services Act 1991, except to the extent that it is administered by the Minister for Health and Ageing;
- Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989, insofar as it relates to the exercise of the powers and functions conferred on the Registrar under the Act;
- Child Support Legislation Amendment (Reform of the Child Support Scheme Initial Measures) Act 2006, insofar as it relates to the exercise of the powers and functions conferred on the Registrar under the Act;
- Child Support Legislation Amendment (Reform of the Child Support Scheme New Formula and Other Measures) Act 2006, insofar as it relates to the exercise of the powers and functions conferred on the Registrar under the Act;
- Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988, insofar as it relates to the appointment of the Registrar and the exercise of the powers and functions conferred on the Registrar under the Act;
- Commonwealth Services Delivery Agency Act 1997; and
- Medicare Australia Act 1973.