Services Australia


Services Australia, formerly the Department of Human Services, is an Executive Agency of the Australian Government, responsible for delivering a range of welfare, health, child support payments and other services to eligible Australian citizens and permanent residents. Services Australia delivers social security services through government programs and brands like Centrelink, Medicare, the PBS and Hearing Australia. Eligible Australian citizens and permanent residents can access many of these services through a account.
The head of the agency is the Chief Executive Officer, currently Rebecca Skinner, who is responsible to the Minister for Government Services, currently the Hon. Stuart Robert. Previously, this portfolio was held by Michael Keenan as Minister for Human Services.

History

The Department of Human Services was created on 26 October 2004 as part of the Australian Government's Finance and Administration portfolio. At the time of its creation, it incorporated the Child Support Agency and CRS Australia, with the Human Services Legislation Amendment Act 2011 integrating Centrelink and Medicare.
The Secretary at the Department's establishment in 2004 was Patricia Scott. Helen Williams was appointed Secretary of the Department in 2007. Finn Pratt succeeded Williams in September 2009 after her retirement from the public service.
The department was renamed "Services Australia" and made an Executive Agency in machinery of government changes made by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on 29 May 2019 following the 2019 federal election.
The agency was formed by way of an administrative order issued on 5 December 2019 and effective from 1 February 2020. As a result of this change, the previous secretary, Renée Leon was removed from her role. From 1 February 2020, the Department of Human Services began operating under the Services Australia branding with Amanda Cattermole beginning as the agency's acting Secretary until her role was discontinued.

Responsibilities

According to the Administrative Arrangements Order of 29 May 2019, Services Australia is responsible for administering the following services as dictated by their legislation:
Services Australia is also responsible, or sharing responsibility, for the following agencies and services:
As part of the administration of these services, Services Australia operates a number of face-to-face service centres across Australia, as well as myGov centres in major cities. In 13 locations across Tasmania, both state and federal services can be accessed through Service Tasmania centres.