Department of Social Services
26 April 1939 – 19 December 1972
Renamed Department of Social Security in 1972.
Department of State that administered Commonwealth social security payments, including age and invalid pensions, child endowment, widows' pensions and unemployment and sickness benefits, and rehabilitation services.
Names over time
- Department of Social Services1939–1972
- Department of Social Security1972–1998
How it came into existence
Created on 26 April 1939 by the Administrative Arrangements Order made for the first Menzies ministry, with J. B. Brigden as secretary, but it had no staff and did not function until 1941. It became operative in 1941 under F. H. Rowe, taking over invalid and old-age pensions and the maternity allowance from the Treasury and administering the new child endowment scheme.
Changes during its life
- 9 April 1941F. H. Rowe appointed to head the department, which began recruiting staff and became operative during 1941 (child endowment payable from 1 July 1941).
- Invalid and old-age pensions
- Maternity allowance
- Pensions administration (Commissioner of Pensions)
- Rehabilitation and vocational training of invalid pensioners
How it ended
Succeeded on 19 December 1972 by the Department of Social Security, created by the Whitlam government.
- Age and invalid pensions
- Widows' pensions
- Child endowment
- Unemployment, sickness and special benefits
- Rehabilitation services
Main functions
- Age and invalid pensions
- Maternity allowance
- Child endowment (from 1941)
- Widows' pensions (from 1942)
- Unemployment, sickness and special benefits (from 1945)
- Rehabilitation services (Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service)
- Subsidies for aged persons' homes (from 1954)
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 16 November 1950 (sets it out)
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 (took effect as it ended)
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.