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Annual Report 06–07
Output 1: Core Department—Output overview
Purpose
The Core Department’s purpose is:
- to improve the delivery of social and health-related services to the Australian people; and
- to ensure that the government is able to get best value for money in service delivery.
The Core Department plays a leadership role in the Human Services Portfolio, working with and through the Child Support Agency and CRS Australia, which form part of the Department, and also Centrelink, Medicare Australia, Australian Hearing and the HSA Group, which form part of the Human Services Portfolio. It also works with other Australian Government departments to ensure that the need for the most efficient and effective service delivery is taken into account as social and health-related policies are developed.
Strategy
The Core Department meets its broad purpose through a set of goals that are clearly defined in its strategic plan. The Strategic Plan 2006–07 describes how the Core Department will achieve its goals by:
- taking a customer perspective in reviewing services offered by Human Services agencies, to promote simplicity in delivery;
- ensuring that products and services meet customer needs;
- ensuring that Australians are able to access government services in a contemporary way, including via the telephone and internet;
- balancing customers’ preferences for services with the risks to taxpayer funds caused by fraud and incorrect payment; and
- ensuring that the service delivery agencies deliver value for money in service provision, and have justifiable and sustainable financial arrangements.
The Strategic Plan 2006–07 also identifies the Core Department’s approach to its work, and the values that guide its operations. The plan can be accessed through the publications section of the website at www.humanservices.gov.au
Structure
In 2006–07, the Core Department was structured around three divisions and the Office of Access Card (OAC), Medicare Electronic Claiming—with Deputy Secretary Rona Mellor outposted to Medicare to lead this project—and Legal Branch, as shown in Figure 6.
Service Delivery Operations
The Service Delivery Operations Division is responsible for:
- managing the Job Capacity Assessment and Job Capacity Account Programmes;
- contributing to the development of high-level service delivery strategies within the portfolio;
- implementing effective communication strategies;
- developing and driving approaches that use information and communications technology to improve quality and cost efficiencies of services;
- driving the effective governance of major change initiatives;
- monitoring and analysing the performance of the Human Services agencies and the services they provide, to drive performance improvements;
- improving service delivery for Members of Parliament, Senators and their constituents through the Local Liaison Officer Programme; and
- analysing audit report findings.
Policy and Strategy
The Policy and Strategy Division is responsible for:
- working to ensure that service delivery implications are taken into account in the development and implementation of Australian Government policy that impacts on the Human Services Portfolio;
- developing an annual policy and budget framework that addresses the Minister’s priorities;
- coordinating input from across the portfolio into the Budget process;
- developing and contributing to the implementation of service delivery reforms;
- contributing to programme design and service delivery improvements to better meet the needs of Indigenous Australians;
- reviewing, monitoring and overseeing the implementation of government initiatives, including fraud and compliance measures; and
- undertaking specific service delivery projects and developing and maintaining effective networks with agencies and other departments.
Financial Analysis and Corporate
The Financial Analysis and Corporate Division is responsible for:
- providing financial management and support services;
- providing corporate governance and support structures, covering legislative compliance and audit, risk management and fraud control processes;
- managing human resources, including recruitment, training and development, and occupational health and safety matters;
- managing corporate services, including information technology and security;
- dealing with complaints;
- coordinating ministerial and parliamentary services, including correspondence, briefings and answers to questions; and
- coordinating the provision of consistent, accurate and timely portfolio information to the Minister and the Secretary.
Legal Branch
Legal Branch is responsible for:
- providing legal services to the Core Department and the Minister for Human Services;
- making sure the Core Department meets legal requirements and manages legal risk;
- coordinating legal advice and information on issues involving the Human Services agencies and particular legal matters affecting or involving more than one agency or the Commonwealth generally, including in relation to information policy issues;
- participating in internal service delivery policy analysis and providing legal advice and legal-policy advice, including on specific projects requiring legal support;
- coordinating and managing the Australian Government’s Human Services Portfolio legislative program; and
- considering opportunities for improved synergies in the performance of the Human Services agencies’ legal work.
Office of Access Card
The Office of Access Card (OAC) consists of five divisions and the Access Card Legal Branch.
- The Access Card Legal Branch is responsible for providing legal advice to the Office of Access Card Divisions on legislative and procurement issues relating to the Access Card Programme, providing drafting instructions to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and preparing the explanatory materials for the access card legislation.
- The Programme Management Division is responsible for planning, monitoring and reporting on the risks, issues, changes, finances and overall progress of the implementation of the Access Card Programme. In addition, it provides management information to model and support the overall rollout of the programme.
- The Business Division is responsible for the development and implementation of the access card service delivery arrangements, including registration, customer contact and business processes in participating agencies and service providers.
- The Technology Division is responsible for technical assurance of access card systems to enable the Office of Access Card Programme delivery a fit for purpose, secure and end-to-end integrated technology product.
- The Procurement and Implementation Division is responsible for key tenders, coordination and oversight of procurement and contract management activities and developing strategies and detailed plans for the effective and coordinated rollout of the Access Card capability across participating and registration agencies.
- The Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Division is responsible for the development of policy advice, the engagement of stakeholders and communication activities for the Access Card Programme.
The resources of OAC are complemented by expertise from Booz Allen Hamilton, KPMG, Minter Ellison and the Australian Government Solicitor.