Portfolio Budget Statements 2008-09 

• 2.1.1 Outcome 1: Greater self-reliance and economic, social and community engagement for Indigenous Australians
• 2.1.2 Outcome 2: Seniors, people with disabilities, carers, youth and women are supported, recognised and encouraged to participate in the community
• 2.1.3 Outcome 3: Families and children have choices and opportunities
• 2.1.4 Outcome 4: Strong and resilient communities

2.1 Outcomes and Performance Information

The Australian Government requires agencies to measure their intended and actual performance in terms of outcomes. Government outcomes are the results, impacts or consequences of actions by the Government on the Australian community. Agencies are required to identify the output groups which demonstrate their contribution to Government outcomes over the coming year.

Each outcome is described below by output groups, specifying the performance indicators and targets used to assess and monitor the performance of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in achieving Government outcomes.

These PB Statements mark a change to the way FaHCSIA will measure and report on its departmental policy activity. This year, one set of departmental policy indicators will be used to measure the departmental policy workload and the timeliness of FaHCSIA’s response across all outcomes and output groups. Given that this workload is variable, FaHCSIA intends to focus its future reporting on both the timeliness and quality of work done and to report on trends over time.

In terms of timeliness, correspondence prepared for the Minister will be deemed to have met the timeliness standard if FaHCSIA has provided a quality response within 28 days of the letter initiating a response arriving in the Department, unless an earlier deadline has been set by the Minister. A briefing request initiated by the Minister’s Office will be deemed timely if it is delivered by the date and time requested.

New quality indicators will be introduced in the 2009–10 PB Statements following the review of FaHCSIA’s Outcomes and Outputs Framework and the completion of the review of FaHCSIA’s programs to be undertaken during 2008 in consultation with the Department of Finance and Deregulation. Reporting against new quality indicators will require investment in changes to the Department’s information management systems to facilitate the collection of the necessary data. These changes will be undertaken during the 2008–09 year.

The reporting outlined in these PB Statements is therefore an interim step towards significantly improved reporting in the 2009–10 year.

Performance information across all FaHCSIA outcomes and output groups

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage change in and number of items of: Ministerial correspondence received briefing requests initiated by the Minister’s Office Ministerial minutes initiated by the Department.	No targets set for workload FaHCSIA will measure trends over time
Percentage change in and number of items of: Ministerial correspondence briefing requests initiated by the Minister’s Office delivered on time.	Timeliness target 100 per cent FAHCSIA will measure trends over time

(Note that the above table applies across all outcomes and output groups, but only appears once in these PB Statements)

2.1.1 Outcome 1: Greater self-reliance and economic, social and community engagement for Indigenous Australians

Services and assistance that promote greater self-reliance and engagement for Indigenous families and communities through: shared responsibility; practical support; and innovative whole-of-government policy.

Outcome 1 Strategy

The Government’s priority for Indigenous Australians is to close the gap in life opportunities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. This priority will drive the key strategies for achieving Outcome 1 and reversing entrenched inequality and disadvantage.

Together with a number of other Government departments and state and territory governments, FaHCSIA is progressing work on a policy framework for achieving the COAG targets of: closing the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians within a generation; halving the gap in attainment of Year 12 education (or equivalent) by 2020; providing access to early childhood education for all four-year-olds in remote communities within five years; within a decade halving mortality rates between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children under five, halving the gap in reading, writing and numeracy and halving the gap in employment outcomes. This will include work across a range of areas including Indigenous early childhood development and Indigenous economic development.

The Government is committed to implementing improved arrangements to increase, improve, and properly maintain Indigenous housing stock in remote Australia through the Australian Remote Indigenous Accommodation (ARIA) program. Poor housing is a major contributor to Indigenous disadvantage. FaHCSIA’s work in this area will be aimed at improving access to housing and services in remote communities, including through the Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program (SIHIP). The program targets remote communities in the Northern Territory over a four-year period. It will be administered through the Northern Territory Government using a strategic alliance model which focuses on providing real training and employment opportunities for local Indigenous people in the construction of new housing and the ongoing repair and maintenance of housing stock. FaHCSIA will also be engaged in developing and implementing a package of land and housing reforms in other areas including the Anangu Pitjantjatjarra Yunkatjatjarra lands in South Australia.

The Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) was designed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Indigenous children and to provide the basis for a better future for residents of the prescribed areas of the Northern Territory. The Government has announced its intention to undertake an independent review of the NTER and to maintain funding for key elements of the NTER over 2008–09. For the FaHCSIA portfolio, the Budget provides funding for the appointment of Community Agents— local Indigenous people employed, supported and resourced to act as a conduit between community and government. Their role is to bring greater community input into government decision-making in the ongoing roll-out of the NTER: implementing income management to ensure the Government’s welfare payments are used to benefit children rather than fuel harmful behaviours; licensing community stores to ensure they meet appropriate standards in the sale of healthy food; and the use of government business managers to coordinate activities across the Government and liaise with community residents.

The Foundations for Indigenous Welfare Reform project is directed towards the improvement of Indigenous welfare. The project focuses on four communities in Cape York in northern Queensland. It is designed to promote civic responsibility and appropriate standards of behaviour in the community. Work on the project will involve the implementation of new approaches to create incentives and opportunities to participate in the real economy, reduce passive welfare and rebuild social norms, particularly as they affect the welfare of children.

The Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) program is an Australian Government funded initiative for unemployed Indigenous people. The program provides participation opportunities through activities which develop skills and improve employability of participants in order to assist them to move into employment outside the CDEP program. These activities can also support the development of business enterprises. The overall aim of CDEP is to assist Indigenous Australians to achieve economic independence. In 2008–09 FaHCSIA will develop a reformed CDEP program aimed at improving employment, training and business opportunities.

On 13 February 2008 the Prime Minister delivered the Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples, in particular to members of the Stolen Generations. FaHCSIA’s responsibilities for Indigenous leadership development contribute to this goal of reconciliation, as does the Government’s commitment to building strong and resilient communities. In 2008–09 FaHCSIA will deliver a package of innovative and flexible leadership development initiatives to Indigenous women, men and youth across Australia. These initiatives are designed to build the leadership capacity of existing and emerging leaders so they can lead more effectively in their lives, families and communities.

The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations provides registration, regulation, training and support to Indigenous corporations through the administration of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006. An expanded regulatory program, and projects to reduce the cost of compliance, will strengthen governance, service delivery and business operations in Indigenous corporations, while increasing access to training and corporate governance support.

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Outcome 1 Resource statement

Table 2.1.1 provides additional detail of Budget appropriations and the total resourcing for Outcome 1.

Table 2.1.1: Total resources for Outcome 1

Outcome 1:		2008-09 Total estimate of available resources $'000	2007-08 Estimated actual $'000
Output Group 1.1: Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		33,681	31,129
Service Delivery		30,953	37,452
Subtotal for Output Group 1.1		64,634	68,581
Output Group 1.2: Administered Items: Australian Remote Indigenous Accommodation Programme1	B1	51,455	6,162
Community Development and Employment Program	B1	492,767	223,187
Community Housing and Infrastructure1	B1	-	366,385
Indigenous Boarding Hostels Partnerships Initiative (IBHP)	B1	11,722	2,754
Indigenous Communities Strategic Investment	B1	33,756	28,860
Indigenous Leadership	B1	10,098	9,060
Native Title and Land Rights	B1	60,949	65,253
Northern Territory Emergency Response	B1	107,022	127,139
Payments to universities and other organisations for special studies and research	B1	183	309
Public Awareness	B1	2,916	2,858
Repatriation	B1	554	543
Australian Remote Indigenous Accommodation Programme SPP1	B2	363,372	-
Improving Policing in Very Remote Areas SPP	B2	26,312	11,187
Special Appropriations: Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 – maintenance of the Aboriginals Benefit Account under the Minister’s direction		96,237	80,576
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Social Security Act 1991, Part 2.27, Northern Territory CDEP Transition Payment		-	2,746
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 – Ranger agreement		200	200
Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		35,638	32,192
Service Delivery		178,105	158,336
Section 31 of the FMA Act 1997		13,603	14,334
Special Accounts Aboriginal Advancement Trust Account2 Opening balance		619	619
Appropriation receipts		-	-
Non-Appropriation receipts to Special Accounts		-	-
Aboriginals Benefit Account3 Opening balance		116,660	146,794
Appropriation receipts		96,237	80,576
Non-Appropriation receipts to Special Accounts		9,659	7,800
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund4 Opening balance		1,654,907	1,560,353
Appropriation receipts		-	-
Non-Appropriation receipts to Special Accounts		103,412	94,554
Northern Territory Flexible Funding Pool Account5 Opening balance		11,615	-
Appropriation receipts		75,886	46,462
Non-Appropriation receipts to Special Accounts		-	-
Income Management6 Opening balance		8,481	-
Appropriation receipts		-	-
Non-Appropriation receipts to Special Accounts		149,296	182,891
Subtotal for Output Group 1.2		3,711,661	3,252,130
Output Group 1.3: Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		2,568	-
Service Delivery		5,714	6,390
Subtotal for Output Group 1.3		8,282	6,390
Total resources for Outcome 1		3,784,577	3,327,101
		2008-09	2007-08
Average staffing level (number)		1 145	1,136

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Contributions to Outcome 1

Output Group 1.1 contributes to Outcome 1 by providing whole-of-government leadership, coordination and collaboration in policy development and service delivery that will lead to sustainable improvements for Indigenous Australians.

FaHCSIA will lead and facilitate innovative whole-of-government policy and provide high-level strategic advice and support to the COAG Working Group on Indigenous Reform, the Secretaries’ Group on Indigenous Affairs and the Indigenous Affairs Committee of Cabinet.

Output Group 1.2: Services for Indigenous Australians

Output Group 1.2 contributes to Outcome 1 by providing services to Indigenous Australians that offer practical support and promote greater self-reliance and shared responsibility.

By partnering with government, communities, non-government organisations and the private sector, FaHCSIA will develop and implement agreements with communities, which meet local needs. Services and assistance will be provided to help build functional and resilient Indigenous individuals, families and communities and develop Indigenous leadership. Communities will be assisted through the provision of sustainable housing and services and support to address the needs of vulnerable communities and protect individuals and families against violence and substance abuse.

Funding will also be provided for research to support and develop evidence-based policy, the improvement of land tenure arrangements, and the repatriation of Indigenous remains.

Components of Output Group 1.2

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Account

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Account (Land Account) is a Special Account (for the purposes of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997) established for the purpose of making payments to the Indigenous Land Corporation.

The Land Account is administered by FaHCSIA in accordance with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005.

The Land Account is a self-sustaining capital fund. It provides a secure and ongoing source of funds to the Indigenous Land Corporation to provide economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits for Aboriginal persons and Torres Strait Islanders by assisting in the acquisition and management of an Indigenous land base.

Aboriginals Benefit Account

The Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA) is a Special Account (for the purposes of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997) established for the receipt of statutory royalty equivalent moneys generated from mining on Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory (NT), and the distribution of these moneys.

The ABA is administered by FaHCSIA in accordance with the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (the ALRA).

The ABA funds are used to meet the operational costs of the Land Councils in the NT. Thirty per cent of royalty equivalent receipts are paid for the benefit of traditional Aboriginal owners of areas affected by mining, and under sub-section 64(4) of the ALRA, the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs is able to direct that amounts be paid, or applied to or for, the benefit of Aboriginals living in the Northern Territory.

Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP)

The Community Development Employment Projects program provides participation opportunities for Indigenous people through activities which develop skills and improve employability of participants in order to assist them to move into employment outside the CDEP program.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of CDEP participants that move into non-CDEP employment	12 per cent
Percentage of Indigenous participants	99 per cent

Australian Remote Indigenous Accommodation (ARIA) Program

The Community Housing and Infrastructure Program (CHIP) provides funding for housing, municipal services and environmental health-related infrastructure, with a focus on the needs of Indigenous people in remote communities.

From 1 July 2008 CHIP will be phased out and the ARIA program will commence in its place.

ARIA’s purpose is to reform Indigenous housing and infrastructure delivery arrangements through bilateral agreements with state and territory governments.

This will be achieved by:

• construction and purchase of additional housing
• repair and upgrades of community owned and managed rental housing
• repairs and upgrades of existing housing stock and housing related infrastructure
• major capital projects (power, water and sewerage) to improve environmental health outcomes for Indigenous people, with a focus on the needs of Indigenous people in remote areas
• funding to enable the provision of essential municipal services by supplementing the efforts of state, territory and local governments to ensure Indigenous people have access to essential services that meet their needs.

Under this administered item, the Indigenous mothers’ accommodation fund provides capital funding to build or expand accommodation for Indigenous women who need to travel from their remote home communities to access medical and related services for expectant and new mothers.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of new houses constructed	Approximately 350
Number of houses upgraded	Approximately 1,200
Number of repair and maintenance episodes	Approximately 2,000
Number of beds provided by the Indigenous Mothers’ Accommodation Fund to be managed by a proven service provider	12

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Improving Policing in Very Remote Areas

Improving Policing in Remote Communities is part of the July 2006 COAG Package on Violence and Child Abuse in Indigenous communities. Funding was provided to state and territory governments for the construction of new police facilities in remote communities ($40 million over four years) and for two Sniffer Dog teams ($1.9 million over four years).

Planning and/or construction has commenced on a number of new police facilities across Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. Two sniffer dog teams are operational, one based in Darwin and the second team based at the Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk in Alice Springs.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of remote communities with police facilities under construction or completed	13
Number of sniffer dog teams operational	2

Indigenous Boarding Hostels Partnerships

This initiative provides capital funding to build or expand accommodation for Indigenous students who need to travel from their remote home communities to access quality secondary education. Commitment from at least one partner organisation, including but not limited to public or private education providers, is required in order for a proposed facility to be considered for funding.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of sites identified for provision of new facilities	1
Number of sites identified for expansion of existing facilities	1
Percentage of projects meeting milestones agreed with FaHCSIA	100 per cent
Number of beds to be managed by a proven service provider	50

Indigenous Communities Strategic Investment (ICSI)

This administered item will build sustainable improvements for Indigenous people through a range of flexible funding and strategic initiatives in Indigenous communities that build on a clear commitment between the community, government and other partners.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of ICSI projects that meet the agreed objectives	90 per cent
Percentage of ICSI projects that incorporate a partnership with Indigenous communities	90 per cent
Percentage of ICSI projects that include a partnership agreement, where the recipient has delivered all agreed milestones within the ICSI guidelines.	90 per cent

Indigenous Leadership

This initiative develops the individual capacity of Indigenous Australians through leadership development. The initiative comprises two components, Indigenous leadership development and the Indigenous Women’s Program.

Indigenous leadership development uses innovative and collaborative approaches to strengthen and develop the leadership capacity of Indigenous women, men and youth.

The Indigenous Women’s Program is a grants program aimed at enhancing Indigenous women’s leadership, representation, safety, wellbeing and economic status.

The Government is also investing in research into effective mechanisms for developing Indigenous leadership capacity, community engagement and its impact on communities.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of national course participants demonstrating increased leadership knowledge and skills by undertaking a practical leadership component	60 per cent
Percentage of national course participants who are satisfied that the leadership course was appropriate for their needs and background	80 per cent
Number of Indigenous people attending a leadership course	800
Number of funding agreements with Indigenous women’s organisations and leadership auspice organisations	80

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Native Title and Land Rights

This administered item supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to exercise their legal rights in relation to land and sea under the Native Title Act 1993. The program provides access to professional services for native title clients through Native Title Representative Bodies and other native title service providers.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of Native Title claims concluded	No target set. Varies from year to year and is not under FaHCSIA’s control.
Percentage of Native Title Representative Bodies’ operational plans assessed as meeting quality standards	80 per cent
Number of Native Title claims progressed during the year	No target set. Varies from year to year and is not under FaHCSIA’s control.

Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER)

The NTER is a whole-of-government response implemented following evidence of abuse and neglect of children in the Little Children Are Sacred Report.

The response is made up of seven measures designed to:

• protect children and make communities safe
• create a better future for Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.

FaHCSIA is the lead agency for NTER coordination including welfare reform, employment, law and order, supporting families, housing and land reform.

An independent review into the NTER implementation is to commence after June 2008. The review, to be completed by late 2008, will assess what is working and what may need to be changed.

Measures initiated under the NTER will continue in 2008–09 including a range of activities covering further welfare and employment reform, community engagement, early childhood, family support packages, income management, additional playgroups, youth alcohol diversion, and promoting law and order.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Income management and community stores	Income management is operating effectively in all communities with licensed stores Stores report increased sales of food Access to a range of quality food within communities increased—measured through surveys
Promoting law and order: More police in remote communities	Retention of additional police
Family support package	2 mobile child protection teams operational Safe Houses operational in 18 communities
Youth alcohol diversion	Increased number of continuing youth alcohol diversion activities
Housing and land reform: Land compensation Five-year lease program	Process for evaluating compensation applications established Increased number of prescribed communities with registered leases in place
Leadership and coordination:	NTER Taskforce (including the Operations Centre) Timely and effective implementation of NTER measures controlled by the Operations Centre
Government business managers	Stable numbers of government business managers established and servicing all prescribed communities
Accommodation for government personnel in remote communities	Additional temporary accommodation upgraded in at least 13 communities
Community engagement	Number of interpreting sessions delivered by trained interpreters Appropriate training materials developed as required
Report on the implementation and impact to date of the NTER based on the independent one-year review of the NTER to be completed by the end of 2008	Review publicly released by the end of 2008

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Payments to Universities and Other Organisations for Special Studies and Research

Funding of $0.8 million for Indigenous research was committed over four years in the 2007–08 Budget. This administered item will enable FaHCSIA and the Government to develop sound evidence-based policy and programs across a broad realm of social and economic areas.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Range of research is relevant and useful to policy priorities	Research is relevant to COAG Closing the Gap targets and useful to policy development
Quality of research methodology and outputs	High standard of methodology and output for all projects as assessed through quality review by selected research specialists in other agencies

Public Awareness

The Public Awareness program has two elements: public awareness, which funds selected activities capable of reaching a significant audience of non-Indigenous people; and the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC), which funds the annual Indigenous community celebrations during NAIDOC Week (first full week in July).

The objective of the Public Awareness program is to: encourage in the wider community an understanding of, and respect for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; develop positive attitudes towards Indigenous Australians; and inform the wider community about contemporary issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Review of Public Awareness program to be undertaken prior to 30 June 2009	Results of review

Ranger Payment

The Ranger Agreement, completed under the former Section 44 of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, was made between the Government and the Northern Land Council in November 1978 to provide for various payments in respect of mining on the Ranger Project Area, which is on Aboriginal land. Under this agreement, the Government agreed to pay $0.2 million annually to the Northern Land Council as a form of rental.

Repatriation

The Repatriation program funds activities related to the return of Indigenous ancestral remains held in overseas institutions to their communities of origin.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of repatriation services delivered within quality standards	80 per cent
Number of agreements reached with institutions to repatriate remains	5

Output Group 1.3: Registration, Regulation and Capacity Building of Indigenous Corporations

Output Group 1.3 contributes to Outcome 1 by supporting and regulating the corporations that are registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (the CATSI Act).

Under Output Group 1.3, the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations will support the delivery of registration, regulation and related services for Indigenous people in accordance with the CATSI Act.

Output Group 1.3 will aim to: increase the number of corporations registered under the CATSI Act, by making the Act a more conducive registration vehicle for Indigenous corporations and peoples; and achieve a greater regulatory impact through an increased examination program. This examination program will check that larger corporations (particularly those that receive large investment via government sources) have sound governance and operational practices in place. It will also resolve issues at problematic corporations, increase compliance with the Act and contribute to improved corporate governance standards and practices.

Partnerships with state and territory governments and key stakeholders, combined with more training programs, will provide increased access to corporate governance support and provide stronger service delivery.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of corporations that are fully transitioned to the CATSI Act	95 per cent
Percentage increase in number of corporations registered under the Act	15 per cent (from 2,500 to 2,875)
Percentage of corporations compliant with reporting requirements under the Act	90 per cent
Number of formal examinations conducted with follow-up action aimed at improving corporate governance practice and compliance with the Act	80
Target Percentage of litigation to which the Registrar is a party concluded with outcomes considered favourable to the Registrar. This includes proceedings discontinued with the agreement of the Registrar as well as successful applications made by the Registrar and orders made in favour of the Registrar	75 per cent
Percentage of non-complex corporation registration and support activities actioned within seven days	90 per cent
Percentage of complex corporation registration and support activities actioned within 30 days	90 per cent
Number of external training days delivered by the Registrar’s office	200
Number of external training days delivered by state government partners and external providers	150
Percentage of client satisfaction with support and governance training	90 per cent

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2.1.2 Outcome 2: Seniors, people with disabilities, carers, youth and women are supported, recognised and encouraged to participate in the community

Services and assistance that help people to: participate actively in the community and economic life; access a responsive and sustainable safety net; and develop their capabilities.

Outcome 2 Strategy

The Government made an election commitment to help make ends meet for seniors, carers and people with disability. Key strategies for Outcome 2 will support the Government in implementing this commitment and help address the ongoing cost of living pressures.

Senior Australians will be assisted through the provision of income support, allowances and concessions. Financial information services and incentives will assist seniors to make the best use of their savings, investment and other income sources, including income support, to enhance their standard of living.

The Government’s election commitments to increase and extend Utilities Allowance, increase Seniors Concession Allowance and increase Telephone Allowance for seniors, carers, and people with a disability who have a home internet connection, have been successfully implemented. Bonus payments will again be provided to seniors and carers.

Assistance to self-funded retirees will be better targeted. Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) holders will be subject to regular reviews to ensure that only those customers who are eligible retain use of the card. The CSHC adjusted taxable income test will be amended to include income from superannuation streams with a taxed source as well as income that is salary sacrificed for superannuation purposes and net investment losses.

To make it easier for customers who travel overseas, portability of concession cards will be introduced, ending the requirement to cancel cards when a person departs Australia.

FaHCSIA’s work in the area of disability services will be aimed at encouraging people with disability to participate in the community. Independence and self-reliance will be promoted through the provision of financial support, employment assistance and other services.

The Government has established a Disability Investment Group to explore innovative funding ideas from the private sector that will help people with disability and their families to access greater support and plan for the future. The Disability Investment Group will progress the 2007–08 Budget commitment to examine issues related to accommodation for people with disability and also explore options for private investment in accommodation/housing, education, employment, equipment, and other support. Members of the Group were chosen for their extensive experience across a range of government, corporate and philanthropic activities.

The Department is working closely with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations to increase employment opportunities for people with mental illness and disability through the development of the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy. The Strategy, an election commitment, is a key part of the Government’s efforts to increase employment opportunities for people with disability and/or mental illness who wish to work and is being developed with consumers, peak bodies, employers, state and territory governments and experts.

The Government will work with state and territory governments to finalise a new Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement. The new agreement will be developed within the context of the Commonwealth State financial arrangements being progressed by the Council of Australian Governments. The new disability agreement will have a greater focus on outputs, providing state and territory governments with a funding arrangement that will produce better outcomes for people with disability, their families and carers.

Carers will be supported through the provision of income support and allowances. Targeted respite, information, referral and other support programs will help young and older carers to continue their caring role. The streamlining of respite services across Government will create a more sensible support system for carers.

The Government has developed the Carers—improved support measure in response to the recommendations of an independent review of Carer Payment (child). Under this measure, carers of children aged under 16 years with disability and severe medical conditions will receive increased financial support from improved access to Carer Payment (child) through a more equitable assessment process and more streamlined administrative processes.

The Government will also support ageing carers by further funding supported accommodation for their children with disability. The extra funding will provide for up to 35 new facilities accommodating up to six people each. These additional facilities will allow older carers to plan for the transition of their children from home to other accommodation arrangements, and will provide older carers with greater peace of mind when they are no longer able to provide care on a full-time basis. Bonus payments will also be made to Carer Payment and Carer Allowance recipients in 2008.

Increased supply and access to appropriate services at the right time will enhance the capacity of the sector to deliver early intervention services to children aged 0-6 years with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families. This will contribute to improving the wellbeing of children, reducing the financial hardship of parents and providing strategies and skills for parents. It will also enhance access to services and education opportunities for families and carers.

Through the Office for Women, the Department provides:

• high level advice to the Minister for the Status of Women for the purpose of improving the circumstances of women
• whole-of-government leadership in policy development reflecting the Government’s commitments to improving a range of outcomes for women.

Violence against women continues to be a challenge for society. The Office for Women administers funding to support women’s leadership and development, and women’s safety. Departmental resources for women’s safety will be directed towards the establishment and implementation of the election commitment for a new National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children, which will focus on prevention and early intervention.

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Outcome 2 Resource statement

Table 2.1.2 provides additional detail of Budget appropriations and the total resourcing for Outcome 2.

Table 2.1.2: Total resources for Outcome 2

Outcome 2:		2008-09 Total Estimated available resources $'000	2007-08 estimate of actual $'000
Output Group 2.0: Administered Items: Payments under s.33 of the FMA Act 1997	B1	170	170
Special Appropriations: Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Bereavement Allowance		2,133	2,060
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Special Benefit		65,409	66,310
Non Appropriated Revenue Reciprocal Agreement with New Zealand		45,472	52,427
Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		1,292	756
Service Delivery		1,939	2,112
Section 31 of the FMA Act 1997		3,888	3,889
Special Accounts Other Services - Services for other Government and Non-Government Bodies1 Opening balance		36	37
Appropriation receipts		-	-
Non-Appropriation receipts to Special Accounts		44	44
Subtotal for Output Group 2.0		120,383	127,805
Output Group 2.1: Administered Items: Broadband for Seniors	B1	5,000	-
Reimbursement to Great Southern Rail for concessional fares	B1	7,378	6,844
Compensation for Extension of Fringe Benefits to pensioners and older long-term allowees and beneficiaries	B2	219,737	206,027
State Seniors Card Reciprocal Transport Concessions SPP	B2	12,500	-
Special Appropriations: Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Age Pension		25,444,964	24,673,108
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Seniors Concession Allowance		134,664	238,774
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Telephone Allowance for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card Holders		18,052	16,303
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Utilities Allowance		1,114,895	611,028
Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		19,333	14,009
Service Delivery		300,959	301,314
Subtotal for Output Group 2.1		27,277,482	26,067,407
Output Group 2.2: Administered Items: Mental Health	B1	143,602	93,766
Services for People with Disability	B1	300,527	276,816
Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement SPP	B2	747,233	736,916
Disability Services LGA	B2	1,554	1,529
Special Appropriations: Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Disability Support Pension		9,608,438	5,495,652
Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		48,066	31,752
Service Delivery		113,624	85,832
Special Accounts Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement Account2 Opening balance		140	532
Appropriation receipts		-	-
Non-Appropriation receipts to Special Accounts		20	20
Subtotal for Output Group 2.2		10,963,204	6,722,815
Output Group 2.3: Administered Items: Ex-Gratia Payments to Unsuccessful Applicants of Carer Payment(Child)	B1	3,300	4,500
Support for Carers	B1	10,476	8,880
Special Appropriations: Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Carer Allowance (Adult)		894,137	1,026,432
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Carer Allowance (Child)3		516,842	573,511
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Carer Payment		1,752,909	1,675,958
Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		17,158	9,187
Service Delivery		66,296	52,005
Subtotal for Output Group 2.3		3,261,118	3,350,473
Output Group 2.4: Administered Items: Youth Homelessness4	B1	23,646	34,904
COAG Health Services - Younger People with Disability in Residential Aged Care SPP	B2	28,367	13,949
Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		4,783	5,600
Service Delivery		1,693	4,112
Subtotal for Output Group 2.4		58,489	58,565
Output Group 2.5: Administered Items: Support for Victims of Trafficking	B1	755	755
Women's Leadership and Development	B1	3,841	3,831
Women's Safety Agenda	B1	15,594	15,264
Special Appropriations: Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Widow B Pension		6,925	7,526
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Wife Pension (Age)		138,321	163,117
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Wife Pension (DSP)		184,168	221,398
Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		9,710	4,922
Service Delivery		13,331	21,106
Subtotal for Output Group 2.5		372,645	437,919
Total resources for Outcome 2		42,053,321	36,764,984
		2008-09	2007-08
Average staffing level (number)		711	648

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Contributions to Outcome 2

Output Group 2.0: Items applicable across Outcome Output Group 2.0 contributes to Outcome 2 by providing income support payments and act of grace payments under special circumstances to those in need.

Components of Output Group 2.0

Bereavement Allowance

Bereavement Allowance is paid for up to 14 weeks to a recently widowed person following the death of their partner. It is subject to the pension income and assets test. It is also paid under international social security agreements.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Total number of customers paid Bereavement Allowance	550 (estimate)

Payments under s.33 of the FMA Act 1997

Payments under section 33 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 are act of grace payments made in special circumstances at the discretion of the Minister for Finance and Deregulation.

Special Benefit

Special Benefit is an income support payment for people who are not eligible for any other type of payment and have no other means of support. The benefit is income and asset tested.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Average amount of earnings of Special Benefit customers per fortnight	$250
Average duration on Special Benefit	128 weeks
Percentage of Special Benefit customers with earnings	1 per cent
Percentage of Special Benefit customers on part rate	74 per cent
Number of Special Benefit customers assisted	6,047
Control of incorrect payment and fraud—accuracy of administered outlays (total dollars correctly paid) as measured by the Random Sample Survey	Accuracy of administered outlays is greater than or equal to 95 per cent

Output Group 2.1: Support for the Aged

Output Group 2.1 contributes to Outcome 2 by ensuring that senior Australians in need are provided with adequate income support, and by providing allowances and concessions to senior Australians. Information services and incentives assist seniors to make the best use of their savings, investments and income sources to enhance their standard of living.

Components of Output Group 2.1

Age Pension

Age Pension is an income support payment designed to ensure seniors have an adequate standard of living. The qualifying age is 65 years for men and 63.5 for women, increasing to 65 by 2014. The rate of Age Pension is indexed so that pensioners are compensated for increases in the cost of living. While Age Pension is means tested, incentives are maintained for the productive use of private savings and investments and for participation.

The Pension Bonus Scheme is intended to encourage older Australians to continue working beyond age pension age rather than retiring from the workforce and claiming Age Pension.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of clients assisted	2.10 million (estimate)
Percentage of estimated aged population who receive Age Pension	66 per cent (estimate)
Maximum payments to recipients - index of real value	Payments indexed to the CPI
Maximum payments to recipients, single pension base - as a percentage of Male Total Average Weekly Earnings	At least 25 per cent
Percentage of age pensioners receiving less than the full rate because of the means test	42 per cent (estimate)
Average base-rate pension reduction per part-rate pensioner per year	$3,070 (estimate)
Average assessable assets for people receiving maximum-rate Age Pension	$32,100 (estimate)
Average assessable assets for people receiving less than maximum-rate Age Pension	$133,800 (estimate)
Average assessed income per year for people receiving maximum-rate Age Pension	$970 (estimate)
Average assessed income per year for people receiving less than maximum-rate Age Pension	$9,800 (estimate)
Percentage of age pensioners with private earnings	3 per cent (estimate)
Average earnings per year of partnered age pensioners in employment	$9,100 (estimate)
Average earnings per year of single age pensioners in employment	$11,500 (estimate)
Percentage of income units headed by a person aged 65 years and over with government pension contributing less than 50 per cent of income	29 per cent (estimate)
Number of age pensioners paid Rent Assistance	219,800 (estimate)
Control of incorrect payment and fraud— accuracy of administered outlays (total dollars correctly paid) as measured by the Random Sample Survey	Accuracy of administered outlays is greater than or equal to 95 per cent

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Compensation for extension of fringe benefits to pensioners and older longterm allowees and beneficiaries

In 1993 eligibility for the Pensioner Concession card was extended to all part-rate pensioners and certain older long-term allowance recipients. In response to concerns from the state and territory governments that an increase in the number of eligible card holders would have an impact on their state concession programs, the Government agreed to provide an annual payment as compensation for the increased costs of core concessions – utilities, municipal and water rates, public transport and motor vehicle registration.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Certification from state and territory governments that they are complying with the agreement	100 per cent

Reimbursement to Great Southern Rail for Concessional Fares

Great Southern Rail (GSR) is under contract to provide concessional fares on their services (the Indian Pacific, The Ghan, and The Overland) to pensioners, certain veterans and holders of Commonwealth Seniors Health cards.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of journeys taken by eligible customers on applicable GSR services during the financial year	65,000 (estimate)

Seniors Concession Allowance

Seniors Concession Allowance is a payment for holders of a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) to help with household costs. The payment recognises that most self-funded retirees with a CSHC cannot access the state-based concessions available to income support customers with a Pension Concession Card. From March 2008 the Seniors Concession Allowance has increased for $500 per annum, paid in quarterly instalments.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of eligible Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders receiving Seniors Concession Allowance	97 per cent (estimate)

Telephone Allowance for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card Holders

Telephone Allowance assists CSHC holders with the cost of maintaining a telephone service.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of eligible Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders receiving Telephone Allowance	96 per cent (estimate)

Utilities Allowance

Utilities Allowance is a payment for income support recipients of age pension age, veteran pension age, or receiving Mature Age, Widow, or Partner Allowance, Wife Pension, Widow B Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment or Bereavement Allowance. Utilities Allowance provides assistance with regular household bills. In March 2008 the Utilities Allowance increased to $500 a year, paid in quarterly instalments.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of eligible income support customers paid Utilities Allowance	2.93 million (estimate)

Output Group 2.2: Support for People with Disability

Output Group 2.2 contributes to Outcome 2 by supporting people with disability to participate in the community.

Under Output Group 2.2, the level of social support and community-based care will be increased for people with a mental illness or intellectual disability, their families and carers. The provision of services such as employment assistance will promote independence and self-reliance and encourage people with disability to participate in the community.

Components of Output Group 2.2

COAG Health Services – Helping Younger People with Disability in Residential Aged Care

The Australian Government is working with state and territory governments to reduce the number of younger people with disability living in residential aged care services. The initial priority of the program is people under 50 years of age. The program has three objectives, which are: moving younger people with disability currently accommodated in residential aged care into more age-appropriate supported disability accommodation; working to prevent future admissions of younger people with disability into residential aged care; and enhancing the delivery of specialist support services to those younger people with disability for whom residential aged care remains the only available supported accommodation option.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Government expenditure in 2008–09 is matched by all jurisdictions	NSW— $9.3 million Vic—$6.9 million Qld—$5.5 million SA—$2.1 million WA—$2.8 million Tas—$1.1 million NT—$0.3 million ACT—$0.4 million According to signed bilateral agreements

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Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA)

The CSTDA provides the national framework for the provision of government support services for people with disability. Under the three agreements signed so far, the state and territory governments have responsibility for the planning, policy setting and management of accommodation support, community support, community access and respite care services. The Government has similar responsibilities in relation to employment services for people with disability. Both levels of government provide support for advocacy, and print disability. The current CSTDA was due to expire on 30 June 2007 but has been extended pending negotiation of a new Agreement. Development of a new Agreement is underway and is part of the implementation of Specific Purpose Payment Reform.

Disability Support Pension (DSP)

DSP is a payment made to people with disability who are unable to work for at least 15 hours per week at or above the relevant minimum wage, or be re-skilled for such work, for more than two years because of their disability. The payment is income and assets-tested and paid at the same rate as other social security pensions. In March 2008 the $500 Utilities Allowance was extended to DSP recipients.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Average (mean) duration on income support by current income support payment (weeks)	618
Percentage of DSP customers who declare earnings	10 per cent
Control of incorrect payment and fraud—accuracy of administered outlays (total dollars correctly paid) as measured by the Random Sample Survey	Accuracy of administered outlays is greater than or equal to 95 per cent
Average amount of private earnings per fortnight	$410 (earned income)
Percentage on part rate due to means test	20 per cent
Number of clients receiving DSP	740,000 (estimate)

Mental Health

The FaHCSIA Mental Health program delivers: flexible respite and support for carers and families; community based support for carers and families; and recovery support for individuals with a severe functional limitation arising from a severe mental illness.

The FaHCSIA Mental Health Program appropriation aims to address well-recognised service gaps for people with mental illness and their families and carers, in particular:

• the need to facilitate better access to mainstream support services for people with mental illness across all states and territories
• the need to improve access to appropriate support services for Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) clients
• lack of assistance to help families and carers sustain their support roles
• limited pathways and poor connections for clients to navigate the service system.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of clients who report that they are satisfied that the service they received was appropriate to their needs	60 per cent
Percentage of clients assisted from Indigenous/CALD backgrounds	5 per cent Indigenous 14 per cent CALD
Percentage of clients by state/territory	Comparable to Australian population distribution across states and territories
Numbers of families and carers assisted through respite and brokerage service	12,000
Numbers of families and carers assisted through community-based support services	7,500
Number of people with severe functional limitation arising from severe mental illness assisted through recovery support services	3,000

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Services for People with Disability

This administered item aims to improve the economic and social participation of people with disability by providing supported employment, improving access to information and assisting with access to services. Programs under this administered item provide services including a booking service for Auslan Interpreting Services, employment assistance, print disability services, postal concessions for the blind, respite and out of school hours care, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) early intervention services, education and support services for families and carers, ASD playgroups, ASD website and autism specific child care services.

Additional support for disability business services announced in 2007 has resulted in an overall 8.5 per cent increase in funding for supported employment. Also, 500 new supported employment places became available in the sector during 2007–08. From July 2008 an additional 250 places will be released when new supported employment services come online.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Average hourly wage rate for clients in supported employment	$2.90
Average hours worked for clients in supported employment	26.8
Percentage of supported employment clients that participate in employment for 26 weeks	88 per cent
Percentage of individuals, parents and carers who report they were assisted to access choices and options that allows them to better manage their needs	75 per cent
Percentage of funded service providers that have an appropriate quality systems in place	70 per cent
Percentage of clients from Indigenous/ CALD backgrounds	1 per cent Indigenous 14 per cent CALD
Number of users of supported employment services per 100 of the eligible population for supported employment services	6.8
Number of users of supported employment services per 100 of the eligible population in outer regional and remote geographical locations	0.75
Capacity Utilisation Rate in supportedemployment services	90 per cent
Resource Utilisation Cost of providingsupported employment services persupported employment place	$9,400
Cost of providing supportedemployment services per employmentoutcome	$8,900
Number of clients receiving supportservices	22,300
Number of respite services funded forolder carers of children with disability	135
Percentage of respite for carers of youngpeople with disability satisfied that theservices they received were appropriateto their needs	75 per cent
Percentage of carers of young peoplewith disability receiving respite serviceswho are from Indigenous or CALDbackgrounds	1 per cent Indigenous 14 per cent CALD
Number of out-of-school hours careservices funded	10
Number of children with autismspectrum disorder assisted	3,540

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Output Group 2.3: Support for Carers

Output Group 2.3 contributes to Outcome 2 by providing income support and allowances and other support to enhance carers’ wellbeing and balance their caring, work and family responsibilities.

Components of Output Group 2.3

Carer Allowance

Carer Allowance is a payment for people who provide daily care and attention at home to a person with disability or a severe medical condition. The payment is not income and asset tested and is indexed annually.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of clients receiving CarerAllowance	Adult 324,100 (estimate) Child 115,500 (estimate)
Number of clients who received CarerAllowance (adult) and Carer Allowance(child)	6,250 (estimate)
Number of clients who did not receiveCarer Allowance (child) but received aHealth Care Card only	12,500 (estimate)
Number of people cared for by clientsreceiving Carer Allowance	Adult 343,550 (estimate) Child 140,000 (estimate)
Number of children cared for whoreceived a Health Care Card only	16,300 (estimate)

Child Disability Assistance Payment is a $1,000 annual payment to carers in respect of each child with disability under 16 years who attracts a payment of Carer Allowance. The payment is to assist those families to purchase the support, aids, intervention, therapies or respite that they require.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of children in respect of whom the Child Disability Assistance Payment is made	139,249 (estimate)

Carer Payment

Carer Payment is an income support payment for people whose caring responsibilities prevent them from undertaking substantial workforce participation. The payment is income and asset tested and paid at the same rate as other social security pensions. In March 2008 the $500 Utilities Allowance was extended to Carer Payment recipients.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of clients with privateearnings (earned income)	15 per cent (estimate)
Average amount of private earnings perfortnight	$570
Percentage on part-rate due to means test	26 per cent
Number of clients receiving CarerPayment	151,000 (estimate)
Number of people cared for by clients receiving Carer Payment	151,500 (estimate)
Control of incorrect payment; and fraud: accuracy of administered outlays (total dollars correctly paid) as measured by the Random Sample Survey	Accuracy of administered outlays is greater than or equal to 95 per cent

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Support for Carers

Support for Carers provides respite, information, referral and other support programs. MyTime peer support groups will provide peer support for carers of children with disability.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of clients satisfied that theservices they received were appropriateto their needs	75 per cent
Percentage of clients assisted fromIndigenous or CALD background	2 per cent Indigenous 14 per cent CALD
Number of respite for young carers clients that will be assisted over the next 12 months	750
Number of clients that will be assisted by MyTime peer support groups over thenext 12 months	350
Number of MyTime peer support groups that will operate over the next 12 months	200

Output Group 2.4: Addressing Youth Homelessness

Output Group 2.4 contributes to Outcome 2 by assisting youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness through the provision of early intervention services.

Output Group 2.4 will provide early intervention support to young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Services include counselling, group work, family mediation and practical support to both the young person and their family.

Components of Output Group 2.4
Youth Homelessness

This administered item promotes strengthened resilience of families through: improved family functioning and family connection, improved individual capacity and resilience through improved attitudes and behaviours and improved circumstances.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of clients reporting improved relationships/contact with family, friends or peers/decreased social isolation	70 per cent
Percentage of clients who reported that their individual goals were met	70 per cent
Percentage of young people from priority identified groups - Indigenous/CALD	15 per cent Indigenous 10 per cent CALD
Percentage of funded service providers with an appropriate Action Research Plan to improve services	90 per cent
Number of young people assisted per year	7,000
Number of families assisted per year	5,000

Output Group 2.5: Support for Women

Output Group 2.5 contributes to Outcome 2 by increasing opportunities for women to live free of discrimination and violence and to participate fully in the economic, social and cultural sectors of Australian society.

Through the Office for Women, FaHCSIA ensures that women are consulted on, and have input to emerging policy that has a major impact on women. Vulnerable women, such as those at risk of or experiencing domestic violence will be helped through awareness-raising, research and prevention. The number of women in leadership roles in society will be increased through leadership programs.

Components of Output Group 2.5
Support for Victims of Trafficking

This administered item provides help to vulnerable women who are suspected victims of trafficking, by providing individualised case management services including assistance with, or access to, accommodation, legal advice, counselling, training and social support.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of clients receiving service within quality standards	90 per cent
Percentage of identified project stakeholders satisfied that the project was appropriate to the needs of the target group	90 per cent
Number of clients assisted (per year)	90

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Widow B Pension

Widow B Pension is paid to widowed, divorced and separated women aged 50 years and over on 1 July 1987, and women aged 45 years and over on 1 July 1987 who received Sole Parent Pension (or one of its forerunners) on or after that date. The payment was closed to new entrants from 20 March 1997.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of people assisted	700 (estimate)
Percentage on part-rate due to means test	41 per cent (estimate)

Wife Pension (Age)

Wife Pension (Age) is a payment for female partners of recipients of Age Pension where those partners are not eligible in their own right for the Age Pension. The payment was closed to new entrants from 1 July 1995.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of people assisted	12,000 (estimate)
Percentage on part-rate due to means test	20 per cent (estimate)

Wife Pension (Disability Support Pension)

Wife Pension (DSP) provides income support for female partners of people receiving DSP who are not eligible for pensions in their own right. The payment was closed to new entrants from 1 July 1995. This pension is income and asset tested and paid at the same rate as other social security pensions.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of people assisted	16,805
Percentage on part-rate due to means test	17 per cent (estimate)

Women’s Leadership and Development

The program funds initiatives to build women’s capacity to take on leadership responsibilities communicate and consult with a variety of women’s groups and organisations, and funds research into relevant women’s issues.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of funded projects that deliver the milestones agreed with FaHCSIA	90 per cent
Percentage of identified project stakeholders satisfied that the project was appropriate to the needs of the target group	90 per cent
Number of women’s leadership and development projects funded	33 projects

Women’s Safety Agenda

The program will work to improve the circumstances of women by increasing opportunities to live free of violence and to reduce the prevalence of violence against women and incorporate the election commitment National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of funded projects that deliver the milestones agreed with FaHCSIA	90 per cent
Number of women’s safety agenda projects funded	12
Percentage of identified project stakeholders satisfied the project was appropriate to the needs of the target group	90 per cent

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2.1.3 Outcome 3: Families and children have choices and opportunities

Services and assistance that: help children have the best possible start to life; promote healthy family relationships; help families adapt to changing economic and social circumstances and take an active part in the community; and assist families with the costs of children.

Outcome 3 Strategy

The Government is taking a child-centred approach to family policy, helping working families with cost of living pressures and protecting all children from abuse and neglect. Key strategies for achieving Outcome 3 will focus on these priorities.

The Government will make responsible changes to family assistance to ensure they are better targeted and more effective at supporting families raise their children. These programs assist with the costs of children, support families during times when a parent may remain at home to care for children and help promote positive health and development outcomes.

Family assistance will be made fairer in the way it assesses the financial resources available to families to support children. Payments will be better targeted to the families who need them most.

Administration of FTB will be simplified by no longer delivering payments through the Australian Taxation Office. Further efforts will be made to reduce FTB debts by adjusting payments through the year so that people who notify of increased income do not receive an overpayment. Efforts will be made to ensure families confirm their final taxable income and do not end up having to repay all of the FTB they received for the relevant year.

The Baby Bonus will be better targeted to support families more effectively during periods of care for newborn and adopted children. Maternity Immunisation Allowance will more effectively encourage all parents to immunise their children fully before they start school and encourage parents of adopted children to have them immunised.

FaHCSIA will continue to oversee and report to the Government on the implementation of the Child Support Scheme Reforms. The Department will engage with relevant stakeholders to promote comprehensive and accurate understanding of these reforms.

In 2008–09 the last phase of the New Family Law System service expansion will be completed. This will enhance the provision of responsive, equitable, and accessible family relationship services to Australian families to help support and strengthen family relationships.

The increasing rate of notification and substantiation of abuse and neglect of children in Australia will be addressed through the establishment of a National framework for protecting Australia’s children. As part of the framework, the Government will progressively enable state and territory child welfare authorities to notify Centrelink to income manage parents’ income support and family assistance payments where this will help ensure payments are used to benefit children rather than fuel harmful behaviours. This will be supported by the development of an income management debit card.

The Family Violence Programs will continue to assist families and communities to reduce and prevent violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities. The Department is currently working with the sector to develop a comprehensive suite of outcome-focused performance indicators. New tools will be trialled in 2008-09 to collect the necessary performance information, with a view to incorporating the new performance indicators in the 2009–10 PB Statements.

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Outcome 3 Resource statement

Table 2.1.3 provides additional detail of Budget appropriations and the total resourcing for Outcome 3.

Table 2.1.3: Total resources for Outcome 3

Outcome 3:		2008-09 Total Estimated available resources $'000	2007-08 estimate of actual $'000
Output Group 3.1: Administered Items: Child Protection Pilot - WA	B1	345	-
Family Relationships	B1	86,199	77,413
Parenting	B1	78,566	77,198
Family Violence Partnership SPP	B2	7,916	8,322
Northern Territory Emergency Response - supporting families SPP	B2	9,500	14,459
Services for Families LGA	B2	167	166
Services for Families with children SPP	B2	387	386
Special Appropriations: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 – Baby Bonus		1,404,149	1,225,658
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Double Orphan Pension		3,105	3,013
A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 – Family Tax Benefit A		12,599,262	10,772,848
A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 – Family Tax Benefit B		4,117,149	3,324,490
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – s123ZN, Part 3B Income Management Regime related payments		-	4,000
A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 – Maternity Immunisation Allowance		50,229	61,853
Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		45,709	38,208
Service Delivery		4 53,722	386,864
Section 31 of the FMA Act 1997		3,568	3,569
Special Accounts Social Security - Services for other Government and Non-Government Bodies1 Opening balance		348	348
Appropriation receipts		-	-
Non-Appropriation receipts to Special Accounts		-	-
Subtotal for Output Group 3.1		18,860,321	15,998,795
Output Group 3.2: Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		9,198	12,575
Service Delivery		2,648	824
Subtotal for Output Group 3.2		11,846	13,399
Output Group 3.3: Administered Items: Child Care Services Support	B1	-	142,760
Jobs Education and Training Child Care Fee Assistance	B1	-	10,705
Child Care Services Support (SPP)	B2	-	5,780
Childrens Services LGA	B2	-	26,714
Special Appropriations: A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 – Child Care Benefit		-	1,086,397
A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 – Child Care Tax Rebate		-	385,745
Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		-	19,341
Service Delivery		-	94,629
Subtotal for Output Group 3.3		-	1,772,071
Total resources for Outcome3 1		8,872,167	17,784,265
		2008-09	2007-08
Average staffing level (number) 2		447	818

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Contributions to Outcome 3

Output Group 3.1: Support for Families

Output Group 3.1 contributes to Outcome 3 by promoting healthy family relationships and helping children have the best possible start to life.

FaHCSIA will provide financial assistance to families to help with the costs living, including children. Families will be supported and strengthened through services to enhance family relationships, prevent family breakdown, provide support for families of drug users, and reduce family violence, particularly in Indigenous communities. Early intervention, prevention and capacity-building initiatives will promote and support the positive development and wellbeing of all children in the early years, with a focus on vulnerable children.

Components of Output Group 3.1

Baby Bonus

The Baby Bonus recognises the extra costs associated with the birth or adoption of a baby, including the loss of income while on unpaid maternity leave. From 1 January 2009 it will be means tested and paid in 13 instalments.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of children in respect of whom Baby Bonus is paid	285,000
Number of families granted Baby Bonus	281,000
Number of adopted children in respect of whom Baby Bonus is paid	330

Double Orphan Pension

Double Orphan Pension provides non means-tested financial assistance to guardians or approved care organisations in meeting the costs of caring for children who are double orphans. A double orphan is a child whose parents or adoptive parents have died, or who has one parent deceased and who cannot have contact with the other for reasons such as the parent being in prison for at least 10 years or because the other parent’s whereabouts are unknown.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of children in respect of whom Double Orphan Pension is paid	1,900 children
Number of families receiving Double Orphan Pension	1,400 families

Family Relationships

The Government provides funding to support all Australian families to have healthy, resilient relationships through times of family change and stress. Services funded under the Family Relationships Appropriation provide support such as counselling, education and skills acquisition, information, referral and assessment as appropriate to the needs of individual families. These services incorporate special circumstances programs such as drought counselling. Sub programs include: Family Relationships Services Program (FRSP), National Illicit Drugs Strategy (NIDS), Family Violence Partnership Program (FVPP), and Family Violence Regional Activities Program (FVRAP).

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of FRSP clients recording improvement in their presenting relationships	80 per cent
Percentage of FRSP clients from priority identified groups — Indigenous/CALD/children/men	5 per cent Indigenous 20 per cent CALD 20 per cent children 45 per cent men
Percentage of service providers (FRSP/NIDS) who fully meet accreditation requirements or relevant industry standards for service management and governance	90 per cent
Number of clients assisted per year – early intervention services (FRSP)/NIDS	180,000
Number of Indigenous communities assisted per year through funding for Indigenous Family Violence projects	40

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Family Tax Benefit

Family Tax Benefit is designed to help families with the cost of raising children. Family Tax Benefit consists of two parts—Part A and Part B. Part A is paid for each child and is assessed on the combined income of a family. Part B provides extra help for those families with one main income, including single parents. From 1 July 2008 Part B will be targeted to families whose primary earner has income of $150,000 or less.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of instalment recipients of FTB Part A maximum rate (with and without income support), broken rate, base rate, and below base rate	Eligible customers will be paid: FTB Part A maximum rate – With income support 414,000 families - Without income support 191,000 families - Broken rate 502,000 families - Base rate 503,000 families - Below base rate 94,000 families
FTB Part A with Rent Assistance, Multiple Birth Allowance, and Large Family Supplement	- FTB Part A with RA 374,000 families - FTB Part A with Multiple Birth Allowance 950 families - FTB Part A with Large Family Supplement 366,000 families
Number of instalment recipients of FTB Part B maximum rate for sole parents and couples and broken rate for couples	FTB Part B maximum rate—sole parents 567,000 families FTB Part B maximum rate—couples 313,000 families FTB Part B broken rate—couples 416,000 families
Number of families entitled to Family Tax Benefit (FTB) who claim and receive their entitlement within the three-year period allowed for their claim	Approximately 2.2 million families
Proportion of customers obtaining a debt following reconciliation	Less than 8 per cent
Control of incorrect payment and fraud—accuracy of administered outlays (total dollars correctly paid) as measured by the Random Sample Survey	Accuracy of administered outlays is greater than or equal to 95 per cent

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Maternity Immunisation Allowance

Maternity Immunisation Allowance is a payment designed to ensure that Australian-born children are fully immunised prior to commencing school and overseas adopted children catch up with the immunisations recommended for all Australian children. From 1 January 2009 the Maternity Immunisation Allowance (MIA) will be paid in two instalments instead of one lump sum, this is designed to boost immunisation rates as children reach school age.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of children in respect of whom Maternity Immunisation Allowance is paid	275,000 children
Number of families receiving Maternity Immunisation Allowance	268,000 families

National framework for protecting Australia’s children

A National framework for protecting Australia’s children will be established to address the increasing rate of notification and substantiation of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect of Australia’s children.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
The Government, state and territory governments and community sectors agree shape of framework	The National framework for protecting Australia’s children is developed and agreed
The Government, state and territory governments and community sectors work together to commence implementation	Implementation of the National framework for protecting Australia’s children commenced

Parenting

This administered item monitors the responsiveness of child and parent support services and their contribution to improving parenting knowledge and skills.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of clients participating in FaHCSIA-funded child/parent support services that are satisfied that the service they received met their needs	80 per cent
Percentage of clients participating in FaHCSIA-funded child/parent support services with increased knowledge and skills needed to improve their circumstances	70 per cent
Number of Indigenous communities directly assisted per year	75
Percentage of communities that met program-specific goals that communities set when they commenced receiving assistance	100 per cent
Percentage of clients satisfied that national resources met their needs	70 per cent
Percentage of service providers with work plans that link identified needs to evidence-based children and parenting support strategies	100 per cent
Number of service sites funded by FaHCSIA implementing FaHCSIA funded child/parent support activities	8,360

Output Group 3.2: Child Support

Output Group 3.2 contributes to Outcome 3 by helping families adapt to changing economic and social circumstances and take an active part in the community, and by providing services and assistance that help families with the costs of children.

Parental responsibility for the care and financial support of children in separated families is promoted under Output Group 3.2. Research and policy development will be undertaken in relation to child support. Partnerships will be developed within and across levels of government to facilitate the provision of services that assist in the payment of child support.

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Components of Output Group 3.2

Policy Services and Program Management

Under this item FaHCSIA will continue to oversee and report to Government on the implementation of the Child Support Scheme Reforms. A key element of the reforms is a new administrative formula by which child support liabilities will be determined. The new formula is based on recent Australian research on the costs of children. It treats both parents’ incomes in the same way, better recognises the costs of contact and shared care, and treats children from first and subsequent families equally. The new formula commences from 1 July 2008.

In 2008–09 FaHCSIA’s focus for the child support reforms will be on: management of issues arising from the implementation of the reforms; helping families, parents and other stakeholders understand the reforms; and monitoring and evaluating the reforms.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Stage 3 of the Child Support Scheme Reforms is implemented in full and on time	100 per cent
Information about policy intent of the Child Support Scheme Reforms is communicated to key stakeholders to disseminate to child support customers	Contracts maintained with Key Advocacy Groups 4 meetings of the Child Support National Stakeholder Engagement Group
Improved evidence base about the child support population including data on impact of the Child Support Scheme Reforms	Completion of the Child Support Reform Study Completion of the first wave of the longitudinal study of separated parents (incorporating Child Support questions) Completed analysis of the impacts of the new formula using Child Support and FTB administrative data Additional (and improved) child support questions included in future waves of national longitudinal panel surveys
Reduction in FTB as a result of child support obligations being met (via the Maintenance Income Test)	$449 million

2.1.4 Outcome 4: Strong and resilient communities

Services and assistance that: help homeless people and low-income households to gain appropriate and affordable housing; promote community partnerships; and encourage participation in the local community by individuals, families, business and government.

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Outcome 4 Strategy

The Government is helping to make the Australian dream of home ownership a reality for people.

The Government has identified the supply of affordable housing as a major challenge. Shortage in housing supply has driven both home purchase and rental costs to levels that are unaffordable for many Australians. A range of new measures outlined below focus on meeting this challenge.

The Government is working with the state and territory governments to develop a National Affordable Housing Agreement. Ongoing funding assistance to state and territory governments will help facilitate the delivery of housing assistance to lower income households to give them access to affordable housing. To assist national decision making, a National Housing Supply Council will be established to improve the evidence base for housing policy by providing advice on the adequacy of land release and housing supply to meet future needs.

The National Rental Affordability Scheme aims to encourage institutional investment in lower-cost rental accommodation. The Housing Affordability Fund will help reduce the cost of new housing by reforming planning and development processes and addressing infrastructure costs in new housing developments.

Housing stress will be alleviated for more than one million households through the provision of approximately $2.3 billion in Rent Assistance.

People who are homeless or at risk of homelessness will be helped through crisis by the provision of support services. Early intervention services will be provided to young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to enable them to increase their capacity for social and economic participation. This will help to improve their circumstances and promote greater individual and family resilience.

FaHCSIA will implement the Government’s commitment to build new housing for the homeless and develop a long-term and comprehensive plan to tackle homelessness. Independent research will be funded on a range of housing and homelessness themes to increase the evidence base and better inform policy development.

The Government is providing increased support to working families who are experiencing financial stress due to the rising cost of mortgages and cost of living pressures.

Critical events commonly necessitate an immediate response from the Government, and the Department has a key role in coordinating disaster recovery and community support.

FaHCSIA continues to coordinate whole-of-government disaster preparedness and responses. FaHCSIA will also facilitate capacity building in communities to improve their ability to prepare for and recover from a disaster. A long-term community resilience strategy will be progressed through engagement with communities, NGOs, other Government agencies and other levels of government. This will build on the work already underway to prepare for and better manage the community and social impacts of a potential human influenza pandemic.

The Government is fulfilling its election commitment to support local communities, by providing funding to five community organisations. This funding will assist these organisations to provide a range of services in their communities, including respite centres, shelter for the homeless and community development facilities.

Increasing costs may discourage some volunteering. The Department will ensure support to volunteers and volunteer organisations is targeted towards supporting existing volunteers as well as attracting new volunteers and encouraging corporate organisations to contribute to the not-for-profit sector.

Volunteering is a key tool in building and maintaining social participation and it can strengthen the capacity of communities to support themselves and create a sense of local pride and identity.

The Department will support the role of volunteers and the not-for-profit sector by providing additional funding to the Volunteer Grants Program to help volunteers to cover their fuel costs.

In addition, the Volunteer Management Program funds training and support for volunteers and community organisations.

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Outcome 4 Resource statement

Table 2.1.4 provides additional detail of Budget appropriations and the total resourcing for Outcome 4.

Table 2.1.4: Total resources for Outcome 4

Outcome 2:		2008-09 Total Estimated available resources $'000	2007-08 estimate of actual $'000
Output Group 4.1: Administered Items: Homelessness and Housing	B1	55,254	4,179
National Rental Affordability Scheme	B1	11,654	-
A Place to Call Home SPP	B2	25,000	-
Commonwealth State Housing Agreement SPP	B2	984,909	970,604
Social Housing Subsidy SPP	B2	1,995	1,995
Supported Accommodation Assistance Programme SPP	B2	178,650	175,616
Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		14,085	3,110
Service Delivery		68,163	68,084
Section 31 of the FMA Act 1997		753	753
Special Accounts SAAP Research and Development Account1 Opening balance		1,038	1,613
Appropriation receipts		-	-
Non-Appropriation receipts to Special Accounts		2,350	3,670
Subtotal for Output Group 4.1		1,343,851	1,229,624
Output Group 4.2: Administered Items: Financial Management	B1	49,102	41,532
Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		5,203	4,497
Service Delivery		7,739	4,846
Subtotal for Output Group 4.2		62,044	50,875
Output Group 4.3: Administered Items: Ex-Gratia Assistance for East Timor 2008	B1	-	75
Ex-Gratia Payment to East Timor Medical Evacuees	B1	85	23
Ex-Gratia Payments for Equine Workers Hardship	B1	-	8,000
Ex-Gratia Payments to Victims and Family Members of the Bali Terrorist Attacks	B1	510	510
Pandemic Influenza Preparedness	B1	220	1,826
Special Appropriations: Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 – Disaster Recovery Payment		22,105	47,299
Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		3,062	3,524
Service Delivery		2,153	18,984
Subtotal for Output Group 4.3		28,135	80,241
Output Group 4.4: Administered Items: Community Engagement	B1	61,402	65,682
Ex-Gratia Payment - Brendans Fund	B1	-	350
Innovation and Investment Fund	B1	-	500
Payments under Special Circumstances	B1	5	5
Reconnecting People Assistance Package	B1	400	400
Innovation and Investment Fund SPP	B2	10,845	10,164
Departmental Outputs Policy Services & Program Management		9,759	8,651
Service Delivery		7,407	10,693
Subtotal for Output Group 4.4		89,818	96,445
Total resources for Outcome 4		1,523,848	1,457,185
		2008-09	2007-08
Average staffing level (number)		330	291

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Contributions to Outcome 4

Output Group 4.1: Housing Support

Output Group 4.1 contributes to Outcome 4 by assisting low and moderate income households to access appropriate affordable housing and providing support services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Funding assistance to state and territory governments will help facilitate the delivery of housing assistance to lower income households to give them access to affordable housing. Rent Assistance will be provided to reduce housing stress for lower income households. New homes will be built for the homeless and crisis accommodation and support will be provided to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Research on a range of housing and homelessness themes will be funded to better inform policy development.

Components of Output Group 4.1

Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA)

The 2003 CSHA provides Australian Government grants of around $4.75 billion over five years (approximately $930 million each year) from July 2003 to state and territory governments to provide housing assistance. The aim is to assist those people whose housing needs cannot be met in the private rental sector to access appropriate and affordable housing.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of dwellings funded through the CSHA	340,000
Proportion of new applicants accommodated in social housing who are Indigenous	13 per cent

Homelessness and Housing

This administered item is aimed at reducing homelessness and improving housing affordability through housing policy, innovative approaches to reducing homelessness and helping families to maintain housing through early intervention, financial counselling and other support.

In 2008–09, new measures to reduce homelessness and improve housing affordability will be introduced as part of a national housing affordability strategy. Measures include the Housing Affordability Fund, which will provide funding for local government infrastructure to streamline regulatory processes, and the A Place to Call Home initiative which will provide 600 new houses for homeless Australians. The National Rental Affordability Scheme will provide rental housing to low and moderate income families at 20 per cent below market rents.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of households assisted to live in affordable housing	3,500
Percentage of households receiving services within the relevant national housing standards	80 per cent
Number of new houses	3,500
Number/proportion of households in bottom two income quintiles paying no more than 30 per cent of gross income in housing payments	78 per cent
Percentage of tenancies in A Place to Call Home properties reported as stable over 2008-09	90 per cent
White Paper on Homelessness prepared by FaHCSIA, including a national action plan to halve homelessness between 2008 and 2020	White Paper publicly released and national action plan launched September 2008

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Rent Assistance

Rent Assistance is a non-taxable income supplement payable to individuals and families who receive income support payments or an amount of Family Tax Benefit Part A (FTB Part A) greater than the base rate and who pay rent in the private rental market. Rent Assistance complements broader income support objectives by providing supplementary income, recognising the additional cost of private rental housing and by improving housing affordability.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number/proportion of households in bottom two income quintiles paying no more than 30 per cent of gross income in housing payments	630,000/64 per cent of recipients
Control of incorrect payment and fraud: accuracy of administered outlays (total dollars correctly paid) as measured by the Random Sample Survey	Accuracy of administered outlays is greater than or equal to 95 per cent

Social Housing Subsidy

The Social Housing Subsidy Program (SHSP) is a long-term pilot project that subsidises the recurrent costs of financing additional rental accommodation for low and moderate-income earners. Under SHSP one pilot project operates to expand community housing opportunities in New South Wales.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of dwellings funded to provide rental accommodation to low-income households	253 dwellings

Supported Accommodation Assistance Programme (SAAP)

SAAP provides crisis accommodation and support to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The program is jointly funded by the Australian and state and territory governments. The current SAAP Agreement (2005–06 to 2009–10) is known as the SAAP V Agreement. SAAP aims to help people who are homeless to achieve self-reliance and independence by resolving crises, re-establishing family links where appropriate and re-establishing the capacity to live independently. An evaluation of the program is to be completed by 30 June 2009.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of clients assisted annually	104,000
Percentage of clients who exited SAAP support to independent housing and did not return with six months	45 per cent
Number of occasions of support	173,000

Output Group 4.2: Supporting Financial Management

Output Group 4.2 contributes to Outcome 4 by supporting people who are in financial crisis and finding ways to reduce problem gambling.

Under Output Group 4.2, FaHCSIA will promote the improved use and management of money. Community agencies will be funded to assist people who are in financial crisis through the provision of financial counselling services. Research will be undertaken to inform policies to reduce problem gambling.

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Components of Output Group 4.2

Financial Management

This administered item aims to improve the financial self-reliance and wellbeing of individuals and families. Assistance includes financial counselling, educating people in money management (including in retirement), support for people dealing with a financial crisis, and finding ways to minimise problem gambling.

An evaluation of money management services operating in remote Indigenous communities is planned for 2008–09.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of Australian Government Financial Counselling clients with increased knowledge and skills related to money management	85 per cent
Percentage of clients whose issues are resolved	90 per cent Emergency Relief 90 per cent Australian Government Financial Counselling
Percentage of Emergency Relief services in place—by geographical location (state/territory)	NSW—15-20 per cent Vic—20-25 per cent Qld—25-30 per cent SA—10-15 per cent WA—5-10 per cent Tas—0-5 per cent NT—0-5 per cent ACT—0-5 per cent
Percentage of Australian Government Financial Counselling clients from Indigenous or CALD backgrounds	15 per cent Indigenous 20 per cent CALD
Number of clients assisted	644,000
Number of services provided per annum	1,030,000

Output Group 4.3: Community Recovery

Output Group 4.3 contributes to Outcome 4 by addressing the social and community impacts of disasters and critical incidents.

FaHCSIA will facilitate a whole-of-Australian Government approach to community recovery from disasters and critical incidents. Tailored disaster recovery, financial and other assistance will be provided to individuals, families and communities in response to natural disasters.

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Components of Output Group 4.3

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)

AGDRP is an emergency recovery payment that provides immediate, one-off financial assistance to individuals and families adversely affected by a major disaster.

The key objective is the timely provision of the AGDRP to individuals and families adversely affected by major disasters in accordance with Australian Government intent and legislative requirements. This contributes to the achievement of Outcome 4 by supporting individuals, families and communities affected by disasters and critical incidents through the provision of financial assistance to support individuals with their own recovery needs.

An internal review of the payment is expected to be completed by 30 June 2008.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Payment made in accordance with Ministerial determination	100 per cent
Proportion of activations where all legislative requirements were met within 24 hours of decision to activate AGDRP	100 per cent

Ex-Gratia payments to victims and family members of the Bali terrorist attacks

The Government provided ex-gratia assistance to individuals and families directly affected by the 2002 and 2005 Bali bombings, including commemoration services in Bali and Canberra and assistance with out-of-pocket medical costs and funeral arrangements.

FaHCSIA administers the rehabilitation element of the Bali assistance program which provides lifetime rehabilitative assistance to people injured in, or affected by the Bali bombings. This encompasses out-of-pocket expenses for modifications to home, vehicle and work places for people who require assistance to return to work or live more independently and home and community care support.

This assistance contributes to the achievement of Outcome 4 by supporting the recovery of eligible individuals in relation to the Bali Bombings.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Payment made in accordance with agreed assistance package	100 per cent

Pandemic Influenza Preparedness

FaHCSIA is responsible for better preparing the community for the social and community impacts of a potential influenza pandemic. FaHCSIA is building capacity of NGOs and supporting recovery by facilitating continued access to essential community services during and after a pandemic.

Managing the adverse social and community impacts of a possible influenza pandemic in Australia is a key preparedness priority under the Government Action Plan for Influenza Pandemic.

These activities contribute to the achievement of Outcome 4 by supporting preparedness and recovery in the event of an influenza pandemic.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Strategies developed and implemented to enhance community capacity to cope with a pandemic	All strategies implemented

Output Group 4.4: Community Partnership and Delivery

Output Group 4.4 contributes to Outcome 4 by promoting community self-reliance and encouraging social participation and inclusion in the local community by individuals, families, business and government.

Under Output Group 4.4, policies and projects will be developed which enhance social integration in Australian communities. Programs and activities will be funded to develop the capacity of communities in areas of greatest need to identify and resolve local issues, explore opportunities, and build greater economic self-reliance, strength and resilience. People will be supported and encouraged to participate in their community, including through formal volunteering. Partnerships will be fostered between business, community groups and governments to address community issues and encourage philanthropy.

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Components of Output Group 4.4

Community engagement

This administered item will improve outcomes for individuals and families in disadvantaged communities by supporting volunteering, funding case and placebased support, strengthening ties between business and the community and helping community organisations to function more effectively.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Percentage of individuals/families assisted to participate in a civic or community activity	95 per cent
Percentage of projects (Local Answers and Volunteer Grants Program) by geographical location (state/territory)	NSW—25–30 per cent Vic—20-25 per cent Qld—15-20 per cent SA— 5-10 per cent WA— 5-10 per cent Tas—0-5 per cent NT—0-5 per cent ACT—0-5 per cent
Percentage of individuals/families (Local Answers and Volunteer Grants Program) from Indigenous, CALD backgrounds or with disability	5 per cent Indigenous—Local Answers 1.7 per cent—Volunteer Management Program 24.2 per cent CALD—Volunteer Management Program 5.8 per cent people with disability—Volunteer Management Program
Number of individuals/families assisted	347,000
Number of funded projects	7,350

Innovation and Investment Fund

The Innovation and Investment Fund is an initiative under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program V Agreement (SAAP V Agreement). The fund, which is a collaborative venture between the Government and state and territory governments, aims to progress and strengthen the strategic priorities of the SAAP V Agreement through the funding of innovative and best practice service delivery models.

Reconnecting People Assistance Package (RPAP)

RPAP is available to eligible individuals who have been adversely affected as a direct result of their inappropriate immigration detention within Australia.

RPAP provides assistance that includes case management support from a Centrelink social worker, reasonable out-of-pocket medical expenses, personal financial assistance, and assistance with travel to preferred location of residence.

This administered item contributes to the achievement of Outcome 4 by providing assistance to eligible people to re-establish their lives and to reconnect with their families and communities.

Key Performance Indicators	2008–09 Target
Number of calls to RPAP hotline answered and resolved	100 per cent
Eligible individuals assisted	100 per cent

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