Department of Community Services and Health
DCSH
24 July 1987 – 7 June 1991
Renamed Department of Health, Housing and Community Services in 1991.
Department of State responsible for health policy and programs, including Medicare, pharmaceutical benefits and public health, together with aged care, disability and community services, and housing assistance.
Names over time
- Department of Community Services and Health1987–1991
- Department of Health, Housing and Community Services1991–1993
- Department of Health, Housing, Local Government and Community Services1993
- Department of Human Services and Health1993–1996
- Department of Health and Family Services1996–1998
- Department of Health and Aged Care1998–2001
- Department of Health and Ageing2001–2013
- Department of Health2013–2022
- Department of Health and Aged Care2022–2025
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing2025–present
How it came into existence
Created by the Administrative Arrangements Order of 24 July 1987 by merging the Department of Health and the Department of Community Services, with housing functions from the abolished Department of Housing and Construction. Neal Blewett was its first minister.
- Health policy and programs
- Medicare
- Pharmaceutical benefits
- Public health and quarantine
- Aged care
- Disability services
- Child care
- Home and community care
- Housing policy and assistance
- Commonwealth–State Housing Agreement
Changes during its life
- Oversight of the finances of registered health benefits organisations
- Reinsurance arrangements between health funds
- Evaluation and registration of drugs and therapeutic devices
How it ended
Renamed the Department of Health, Housing and Community Services on 7 June 1991, under minister Brian Howe, when it also took over housing industry programs from the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce.
Main functions
- Health policy, Medicare and health insurance
- Pharmaceutical benefits
- Public health and quarantine
- Therapeutic goods regulation
- Aged care, nursing homes and hostels
- Home and community care
- Disability and rehabilitation services
- Housing assistance and the Commonwealth–State Housing Agreement
Bodies in this portfolio (3)
- National Biological Standards Laboratory 1958–1989
- Commonwealth Serum Laboratories Commission 1961–1991
- ACT Health Authority 1985–1989
Lineage
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