Department of Health and Family Services
11 March 1996 – 21 October 1998
Previously Department of Human Services and Health (1993–1996). Renamed Department of Health and Aged Care in 1998.
Department of State responsible for health policy, Medicare and pharmaceutical benefits, public health and therapeutic goods, aged care, disability and children's 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 11 March 1996 under the Howard government by renaming the Department of Human Services and Health, which also took over housing from the abolished Department of Housing and Regional Development. Michael Wooldridge was Minister for Health and Family Services.
- Health
- Aged care
- Disability services
- Children's services
- Housing policy and housing assistance
- Commonwealth–State Housing Agreement
Changes during its life
- Standards monitoring of residential aged care
- Occupational health and medical assessment services
Formed from the department's Australian Government Health Service business unit
How it ended
On 21 October 1998 it became the Department of Health and Aged Care; its family and children's services, disability services and housing functions moved to the new Department of Family and Community Services.
- Family services
- Child care
- Disability services
- Housing assistance
- Community services
- Health
- Aged care
- Hearing services
Main functions
- Health policy, Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
- Public health and therapeutic goods regulation
- Aged care
- Disability services
- Children's services and child care
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
- Housing assistance and the Commonwealth–State Housing Agreement
Bodies in this portfolio (2)
- National Food Authority 1991–1996
- Private Health Insurance Complaints Commissioner 1995–1998
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 11 March 1996 (created it)
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.