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Annual Report 06–07
Output 1: Core Department—Outlook
Job Capacity Assessment Programme
The Core Department will continue to work with service providers, other agencies and stakeholders to manage the Job Capacity Assessment Programme to ensure it continues to deliver its intended outcomes. In 2007–08, there will be a particular focus on the effective delivery of assessments in remote regions.
The Core Department will continue its strong focus on national performance, and on preparing the market for the next job capacity assessment open tender. Current job capacity assessment contracts were let for a two-year period, expiring at the end of June 2008. That period is being extended for a further year, until June 2009. This will align the next open tender for job capacity assessment services with the procurement cycle for employment services.
Access card
The Core Department will continue to work with Human Services agencies and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to develop the access card system to enhance delivery of and access to Australian Government health, veterans’ and social services.
In finalising proposed legislation planned to be introduced in 2007–08, the Department will continue broad consultation with health and community sector stakeholders and key departments and agencies such as the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Department of Health and Ageing, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, the Attorney-General’s Department and, in particular, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
Other key priorities for 2007–08 will be:
- finalisation, after passage of legislation, of procurement arrangements for services to build the access card system and manage card issuance; and
- further development of business processes and operations to support the access card registration process.
Child support reforms
The Core Department and CSA will continue to work to improve the experience that parents have when dealing with CSA. The Core Department will also work closely with the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Human Services agencies to implement Stage 3 of the reforms to the Child Support Scheme.
Budget initiatives
The Core Department will be involved in a range of activities initiated by the 2007–08 Budget, including:
- pursuing efficiencies in Human Services agencies;
- improving infrastructure to meet existing and expanded responsibilities for service delivery more effectively;
- providing information and support to people affected by drought, particularly in the Murray–Darling Basin;
- working with the Department of Finance and Administration, in consultation with other departments, to develop a more strategic approach to fraud and non-compliance; and
- implementing measures to reduce health and welfare fraud and non-compliance.