1.1.D.90 Department of Human Services (DHS)

Definition

DHS 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, Child Support and CRS Australia on 1 July 2011 into DHS.

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 Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) 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 with 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 provides disability employment services to help people with a disability, injury or health condition to get or keep a job, and help their employers to keep their workplace safe.