Income support payments to increase from 1 January 2013
Income support payments for Carer allowance, Austudy and Youth Allowance recipients will increase from 1 January 2013.
Responsibility area: About FaHCSIA
News & events
New Equal Pay Era Begins For Community Sector Workers
Pay rises from 1 December are the first of nine increases over the next eight years that will lift salaries for workers in this sector by between 23 and 45 per cent.
Responsibility area: Careers
New Broadband for Seniors website – now live!
The new Broadband for Seniors website will now make it easier for older Australians to learn how to use the internet and access the many social and economic benefits of connecting online.
Responsibility area: Seniors
The Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012
The Australian Government introduced legislation into Parliament in March 2012 to retain and improve the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace (EOWW) Act and the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency.
Responsibility area: Women
Government takes next step in delivering historic pay rises
The Australian Government has taken the next step in meeting its commitment to deliver historic equal pay rises to eligible social and community sector workers.
Responsibility area: About FaHCSIA
Mental Health Respite: Carer Support (MHR:CS)– Call for Applications Open
Community organisations across Australia can apply for Australian Government funding to provide support services for carers of people with mental illness to assist them to maintain their caring roles and improve their own wellbeing.
Responsibility area: Mental Health
Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards Report 2011-2012
On 15 November 2012 the Government released the Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards Report 2011-2012. This report provides a statistical gender analysis of the composition of Australian Government boards for the period 1 July 2011 to 30 June 20
Responsibility area: Women
Remote Jobs and Communities Program 2013-2018
Applications for Expressions of Interest from potential providers has been extended to 28 November 2012.
Responsibility area: Indigenous Australians
Personal Helpers and Mentors – Call for Applications Open
Community organisations across Australia can apply for Australian Government funding to employ new workers to support people with mental illness, including helping those on income support find and keep a job.
Responsibility area: Mental Health
Launch of disability connect
diSAbility connect is a new portal for parents and carers of children and young people with disability living in South Australia.
Responsibility area: Disability and Carers
Introduction of National Gambling Reform Bills
The Australian Government has introduced legislation to help problem gamblers and their families.
Responsibility area: Communities and Vulnerable People
Linking Indigenous Australians to community support services
From July this year, the Australian Government will invest $42 million over three years for Indigenous Community Links.
Responsibility area: Indigenous Australians
Life at 7 series will be screened on ABC1 at 8.30pm 16 and 23 October
The fourth instalment of the LIFE series, ‘Life at 7’, will screen on ABC 1 at 8:30pm, 16 October (episode 7) and 23 October (episode 8).
Responsibility area: Families and Children
Growing Up in Australia: LSAC annual report released
The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) released its 2010–11 annual report, Growing Up in Australia, on Monday 15 October.
Responsibility area: Families and Children
NGO Delegate Applications for CSW 57 are now closed
The selection process for individuals to participate in the official Australian Government Delegation to the 57th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status for Women is now open.
Responsibility area: Women
Implementation of the National Carer Strategy
Australia’s first National Carer Strategy was released in August 2011 to encourage the community to recognise and value carers for the integral role they play in the care and support system.
Responsibility area: Disability and Carers
House passes legislation to lock-in historic equal pay rises
The House of Representatives yesterday passed legislation that ensures the Australian Government’s $2.8 billion share of the equal pay increases awarded by Fair Work Australia to social and community services sector workers is secure
Responsibility area: Grants and Funding
Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards - Information for Portfolios
The Office for Women has developed the Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards - Information for Portfolios document
Responsibility area: Women
FaHCSIA Annual Report 2011-2012
FaHCSIA's Annual Report 2011-2012 is now available.
Responsibility area: About FaHCSIA
Second Action Plan 2012-15 of the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009 - 2020
Australian Community and Disability Services Ministers endorsed the Second Action Plan 2012-15 of the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009 - 2020 on 17 August 2012.
Responsibility area: Families and Children
Historic equal pay increases for social and community sector workers
$2.8 billion has been allocated by the Commonwealth Government to pay its share of equal pay increases for social and community sector workers.
Responsibility area: Families and Children
Call for Expressions of Interest for the conduct of the Remote Jobs and Communities Program 2013-2018
A call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to conduct the new $1.5 billion Remote Jobs and Communities Program activities has been released.
Responsibility area: Indigenous Australians
Accommodation Choices for Older Australians and their Families
A revised publication provides advice and options on accommodation choices
Responsibility area: Seniors
New safety and Industrial Relations handbooks for Australian Disability Enterprises
A new set of Occupational Health and Safety and Industrial Relations handbooks are now available for Australian Disability Enterprise managers and supported employees.
Responsibility area: Disability and Carers
Beware of Household Assistance Package scam
If you are approached by someone claiming to represent the department, and offering you a government grant of up to $100,000 for mortgage assistance, this is a scam.
Responsibility area: About FaHCSIA
Release of Past Adoption Practices National Research Study
The final report of the Australian Institute of Family Studies National Research Study on the Service Response to Past Adoption Practices has been released.
Responsibility area: Families and Children
Mental health boost for young people and their families
The Australian Government is investing more than $9.7 million for new family mental health services in 11 communities across Australia. These funds will help children and young people get a good start in life.
Responsibility area: Disability and Carers
Fair Pay for Social and Community Services Workers
The Australian Government has committed to pay its share of wage increases handed down through Fair Work Australia’s equal remuneration decision.
Responsibility area: About FaHCSIA
Release of Statistical Paper no. 10
Statistical Paper no. 10: Income support customers: a statistical overview 2011 has been released.
Responsibility area: About FaHCSIA
COAG Select Council on Women’s Issues Meeting
Commonwealth, State and Territory Women’s Ministers met in Darwin on 18 July 2012.
Responsibility area: Women