Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
The former Australian Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs 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.
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
| Start date | End date | Ministerial title | Minister | Ref. |
| 3 Dec 2007 | 18 Sep 2013 | Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Minister for Disability Reform | Jenny Macklin | |
| 14 Dec 2011 | 18 Sep 2013 | Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Community Services, Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Minister for the Status of Women | Julie Collins | |
| 25 Mar 2013 | 18 Sep 2013 | Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers | Amanda Rishworth | |
| 1 Jul 2013 | 18 Sep 2013 | Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Homelessness | Doug Cameron | |
| 4 Feb 2013 | 1 Jul 2013 | Minister for Housing and Homelessness | Mark Butler | |
| 4 Feb 2013 | 1 Jul 2013 | Parliamentary Secretary for Homelessness and Social Housing | Melissa Parke | |
| 14 Sep 2010 | 25 Mar 2013 | Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers | Jan McLucas | |
| 5 Mar 2012 | Feb 2013 | Minister for Housing and Homelessness | Brendan O'Connor | |
| 14 Dec 2011 | 5 Mar 2012 | Minister for Housing and Homelessness | Robert McClelland | |
| 14 Sep 2010 | Nov 2011 | Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness | Mark Arbib | |
| 14 Sep 2010 | Nov 2011 | Minister for the Status of Women | Kate Ellis | |
| 3 Dec 2007 | 14 Sep 2010 | Minister for Housing Minister for Status of Women | Tanya Plibersek | |
| 3 Dec 2007 | 14 Sep 2010 | Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction | Bill Shorten | |
| 3 Dec 2007 | 14 Sep 2010 | Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector | Ursula Stephens |
The Secretaries of the department were:
- Dr Jeff Harmer. Harmer had been appointed Secretary of the previous Department of Families and Community Services in October 2004.
- Mr Finn Pratt.