Human Services Portfolio > Department of Human Services

The Portfolio Department of Human Services

The Portfolio Department of Human Services (the Department) includes the Child Support Agency and CRS Australia. Together with its Human Services Portfolio agencies – Centrelink, Medicare Australia and Australian Hearing – the Department works to improve government social and health-related services to all Australians.

The Department provides a central policy and coordination role for the delivery of services across the Human Services Portfolio as well as being the delivery agency for child support and vocational rehabilitation services.

The Department works with other departments and agencies to ensure early consideration of service delivery issues in the policy development process to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of service delivery by agencies in the Human Services Portfolio. The Department also focuses on cross-portfolio objectives such as the reduction of health and welfare fraud and providing improved access to services for Indigenous Australians. Its work has contributed to an improved service delivery for a range of Australians, including the homeless, the sick, children, seniors, Indigenous Australians, same-sex couples and farmers affected by drought.

The Child Support Agency helps separated parents transfer payments for the benefit of their children.

CRS Australia provides vocational rehabilitation services to people with a disability, injury or health condition, and helps employers keep their workplaces safe.

Better Dealings with Government:
Innovation in Payments and Information Services Industry Discussion Paper

On 14 September 2009, the Minister for Human Services, Chris Bowen MP, released a discussion paper to engage with industry on government payment and information services.

Innovation in Payments and Information Services invites comments on innovative ways of delivering government payments and collecting and sharing required information, such as customer addresses and income details.

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My family is separating—what now?

My family is separating—what now? provides families with helpful information about separation. The website helps families understand their rights and responsibilities and offers information about emotional, financial and legal advice and support services.

Launch My family is separating—what now? website >>