The former Australian Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) was a department of the Australian Government 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.^[3][4][5]

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:^[6]

• 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

The Secretaries of the department were:

• Dr Jeff Harmer (3 December 2007 to April 2011). Harmer had been appointed Secretary of the previous Department of Families and Community Services in October 2004.^[8][9]
• Mr Finn Pratt (April 2011 to 18 September 2013).^[8]