Harman Patil (Editor)

Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Formed
  
3 December 2007

Headquarters
  
Greenway, Canberra

Dissolved
  
18 September 2013

Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Preceding Department
  
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Superseding agency
  
Department of Social Services; Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Indigenous affairs functions)

Jurisdiction
  
Commonwealth of Australia

The former Australian Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) was a department of the Government of Australia located in Greenway in Canberra. It was formed in 2007 and absorbed the former Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. As a result of an Administrative Arrangements Order issued on 18 September 2013, the Department of Social Services was established and assumed most of the responsibilities of FaHCSIA; with indigenous affairs functions assumed by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Contents

Operational activities

The former department's role was to develop social policies and support affected Australian society and the living standards of Australian families. The Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination was a part of FaHCSIA. In the Administrative Arrangements Order of 3 December 2007, the functions of the department were broadly classified into the following matters:

  • Income security policies and programs for families with children, carers, the aged and people in hardship
  • Services for families with children, people with disabilities and carers
  • Community support services, excluding the Home and Community Care program
  • Family relationship services
  • Housing policy co-ordination, welfare housing and rent assistance
  • Women's policies and programs
  • Indigenous policy co-ordination and the promotion of reconciliation
  • Community development employment projects

    • Administrative structure

    The Secretaries of the department were:

  • Dr Jeff Harmer (3 December 2007 to April 2011). Harmer had been appointed Secretary of the previous Department of Families and Community Services in October 2004.
  • Mr Finn Pratt (April 2011 to 18 September 2013).

    • References

    Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA