Contents
- Part 1 Executive Summary
- Part 2 Performance reporting
- Part 3 Corporate governance and accountability
- Part 4 Appendices
- Part 5 Financial Management
Annual Report 2007–2008
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Annual Report 2007–2008
Annual Report 2007–2008 » Chapter 6: Outcome 2
Services and assistance that help people to: participate actively in community and economic life; access a responsive and sustainable safety net; and develop their capabilities.
Outcome 2 has six contributing outputs:
| Seniors, people with disabilities, carers, youth and women are supported, recognised and encouraged to participate in the community | (a) 2007–08 Final estimate $’000 |
(b) 2007–08 Actual expenses $’000 |
(b) – (a) Variation $’000 |
2008–09 Budget $’000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administered expenses | ||||
| Appropriations Act 1 | 445,730 | 427,699 | –18,031 | 514,289 |
| Appropriations Act 2 | 958,421 | 957,305 | –1,116 | 1,009,391 |
| Special Appropriations | 34,771,177 | 34,727,678 | –43,499 | 39,881,857 |
| Subtotal | 36,175,328 | 36,112,682 | –62,646 | 41,405,537 |
| Department outputs | ||||
| Appropriated revenues | 534,707 | 521,419 | –13,288 | 598,184 |
| Other non‑tax revenues | 3,889 | 5,840 | 1,951 | 3,888 |
| Subtotal | 538,596 | 527,259 | –11,337 | 602,072 |
| Total for Outcome 2 | 36,713,924 | 36,639,941 | –73,983 | 42,007,609 |
| Staffing years (including the Social Security Appeals Tribunal) |
648 | 651 | – | 711 |
The International Day of People with Disability is part of a worldwide celebration that occurs on 3 December each year. It is a United Nations sanctioned day that promotes inclusion and celebrates and acknowledges the achievements of people with disability. In Australia, FaHCSIA is responsible for the Australian Government’s national promotion of the day.
In 2007, FaHCSIA hosted the inaugural National Disability Awards to celebrate the achievements of people with disability.
Twenty-three outstanding Australians were chosen as finalists from over 290 impressive nominations received across five categories.
Recipients of the inaugural National Disability Awards were:
Award finalist: ‘Thank you to the FaHCSIA staff for the professional and warm way in which you coordinated the National Disability Awards. Your efforts in organising what would have been a lot of forethought and effort was greatly appreciated by myself, my mother and my carer. It was such a pleasure to be involved with the awards, the entire celebration went off so well and was respectful, dignified and lots of fun! Thank you to everyone who was involved in organising the event, and the support given to enable me to travel to Canberra.’
For more information about the National Disability Awards or International Day of People with Disability go to www.idpwd.com.au.
3 December 2007—Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon. Jenny Macklin, MP, with Darren Lomman, winner of the Go Getter Award, at the inaugural National Disability Awards. The Go Getter Award was one of five awards presented on the night and recognised the significant contribution Darren has made to improve the lives of people with disability.
FaHCSIA supports senior Australians by providing income support and concessions targeted to those in need, while providing incentives and information to encourage them to use savings and investments productively.
In 2007–08, FaHCSIA delivered the Government’s election commitments to:
FaHCSIA’s other key achievements in supporting seniors during 2007–08 included:
FaHCSIA provides support to people with disability and their carers. The Department promotes the inclusion of people with disability in society by: funding services to help them gain and maintain supported employment; providing income support through Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment; providing funding to state and territory governments through the Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA) to support people with disability; and funding respite care and other services such as captioning information services, postal concessions for the blind, and advocacy.
In 2007–08, FaHCSIA’s key achievements in supporting people with disability were:
FaHCSIA supports people with mental illness and their carers by providing: flexible respite and support for carers and families; community‑based support for carers and families, young people and children; and recovery support for individuals with a severe functional limitation as a result of a severe mental illness.
In 2007–08, FaHCSIA’s key achievements for supporting people with mental illness were:
FaHCSIA supports carers by: funding respite and information services for young carers; funding respite for older carers; providing payments to people who provide daily care at home to a person with disability, severe medical condition, or who are frail aged; and providing income support to people whose caring responsibilities prevent them from substantial workforce participation.
In 2007–08, FaHCSIA’s key achievements for supporting carers were:
FaHCSIA supports women by increasing their opportunities to live free of discrimination and violence and to participate fully in the economic, social and cultural sectors of Australian society. FaHCSIA assists youth by addressing youth homelessness through the Reconnect program.
In 2007–08, FaHCSIA’s key achievements for supporting women and youth included:
The Assurance of Support (AoS) program protects the Government’s outlays while facilitating the migration of those visa applicants considered more likely to draw on social security resources.
The AoS Simplification Package was implemented on 1 January 2008 and includes a number of improvements to the program, such as changes to the income test for assurers and the removal of the AoS requirements from skilled and carer visa categories. This measure applies to all outputs across Outcome 2.
Through funding from FaHCSIA, the House with No Steps is able to provide supported employment in a number of locations in NSW.
Aussie Biscuits is a business run by their Forbes service that employs 31 people with disability.
Following the severe flooding in Mackay, Queensland, from 14–15 February 2008, the House with No Steps Queensland donated more than 16,000 biscuits as part of the recovery effort. The biscuits were freshly made at the Forbes factory and transported to Mackay to assist flood victims.
Forbes factory staff went to great effort to produce the biscuits and their work made a welcome contribution to extensive community recovery efforts within the Mackay community.
Active community engagement in issues about levels of support for seniors involved FaHCSIA in a number of ways. For example, FaHCSIA managed the drafting of responses to a large number of representations to Minister Macklin and provided information and advice to Minister Macklin on seniors’ issues.
As in 2006–07, FaHCSIA continues to respond to those seniors affected by the volatility in financial markets. FaHCSIA continually monitors companies that are experiencing difficulties. When pensioner and carer incomes are adversely affected by their holdings in companies that fail, steps are taken to assist these groups in regard to their assessments.
For example, deeming rates are used to assess income from financial investments for social security pension and allowance purposes. The deeming rules are a simple and fair way of assessing income from financial investments as they treat all financial investments in the same way and reflect returns available to pensioners in the market from a range of financial investments. However, there are provisions to assist those pensioners with investments that have failed due to the volatility in the markets.
In addition, once it is established that a financial investment no longer exists, deemed income ceases to be assessed and the value of the asset is recalculated in line with advice from company administrators.
The Government is currently developing a National Disability Strategy in partnership with the state and territory governments. It aims to address the needs of people with disability by setting a consistent national direction for the enhancement of disability legislation, policy and standards that is inclusive. The strategy will align with the tenets of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
To ensure that the strategy incorporates the identified needs of the disability sector, a comprehensive consultation process will be undertaken. This consultation process will provide the opportunity for people with disability, carers, families and other stakeholders to contribute their knowledge to the development of the National Disability Strategy. Input will be sought on the differing needs across urban, regional and remote centres, from a range of demographic groups within Australia. These views will be used in developing the strategy and policy direction, with the intent of delivering a whole‑of‑government, whole‑of-life‑cycle strategy.
FaHCSIA is also currently working with disability business services to build their own capacity to maintain a sustainable and viable sector. A major element of this work is addressing the challenges that an ageing workforce will bring, and the need to attract workers into disability business services by improving school-to-work transitions to the sector.
FaHCSIA has worked hard to develop strong working relationships with the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) sector and state and territory governments. To implement the Helping Children with Autism package, the Department has undertaken ongoing consultations with state and territory governments through the COAG state‑based mental health working groups and the Disability Policy and Research Working Group. In developing the FaHCSIA components of the package, a wide range of key stakeholders have been consulted, including key autism peak bodies in the states and territories, ASD experts, relevant professional bodies and advocacy groups representing children with an ASD.
In 2007 the United Nations General Assembly designated 2 April to be observed as World Autism Awareness Day.
The inaugural World Autism Day was commemorated on 2 April 2008.
Between 1 in 100 and 1 in 160 people in Australia have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
On 27 May 2008, the first national breakfast meeting for autism was held at Parliament House to mark National Autism Awareness Month. The event was jointly hosted by Adrian Ford, Chairperson of the Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Bob Buckley, National Coordinator of Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia.
The guest speakers at the breakfast were: the Hon. Bill Shorten, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services; Ms Katharine Annear, an adult with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); and John Doyle, (the Patron of Autism Spectrum Australia and better known as Roy Slaven from Roy and HG), who has a sister with an ASD. Their stories highlighted the everyday challenges faced by people with ASDs, their families and carers.
The breakfast raised awareness of ASDs and informed key autism stakeholders of the Government’s $190 million Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) package.
Parliamentary Secretary Bill Shorten addressed the breakfast and explained how the HCWA package aims to have a positive impact on the long‑term life outcomes of children with ASDs. ‘It will enable families and carers to better support their children with an ASD post‑diagnosis and undertake early intervention that will benefit their child. And I really hope it will assist families and carers with the pressures they face in raising their children.’
The package will be progressively implemented from July 2008 by FaHCSIA, the Department of Health and Ageing, and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
FaHCSIA, as the lead implementation agency for the package, has responsibility for the early intervention programs and support components.
The COAG meeting on 26 March 2008 agreed to a new framework for Commonwealth–state financial relations which will result in a significant rationalisation of Specific Purpose Payments. The reform will see a reduction from the current 92 Specific Purpose Payments to five or six new national agreements, one of them being for the delivery of disability services.
The new agreements will focus on agreed outputs and outcomes, providing greater flexibility for jurisdictions to allocate resources to areas where they will produce the best outcomes for the community. For all new arrangements, a new performance and assessment framework will be developed to support public reporting against performance measures and milestones.
The Government is working with state and territory governments on a new National Disability Agreement under the COAG reforms that will replace the current Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement from 1 January 2009.
FaHCSIA has been working with state and territory governments and the COAG mental health working groups in each jurisdiction towards greater integration and coordination of mental health services.
In collaboration with the mental health community‑based sector, FaHCSIA is implementing strategies to increase the capacity of existing and recently established mental health services to foster new and innovative family support and respite options.
The delivery of culturally-appropriate services in remote areas, through the Personal Helpers and Mentors and Mental Health Respite Programs, is a priority. Through engagement with Australian Government, state government and community stakeholders, new services which complement other programs have been created to best meet the needs of people in remote areas.
Understanding the critical role that carers play in Australia and how the Government can best support them is an important challenge for the Department.
The Carer Payment (child) Review Taskforce, with assistance from FaHCSIA, consulted widely across Australia in examining the eligibility criteria for Carer Payment (child) and the effectiveness of the payment in providing a safety net for carers of children with profound disability or severe medical conditions.
The taskforce received around 4,000 submissions from a wide range of individuals and organisations sharing their challenges and experiences of caring for a child with disability. The submissions highlighted the broad range of tasks carers perform and the ways in which the caring load affects carers, families and relationships.
The taskforce’s report, Carer Payment (child): A New Approach, released in February 2008, found that the eligibility criteria for Carer Payment (child) were too restrictive, and that the assessment processes were overly rigid and produced inequitable outcomes.
FaHCSIA is now developing a simpler, fairer eligibility and assessment process for Carer Payment (child), based on care load, which will significantly improve the level of assistance for carers of children with disability or severe medical conditions.
Other key challenges have been:
In 2007–08, FaHCSIA addressed the continuing challenge of violence against women through activities to promote and improve women’s safety. The Department will support the council developing the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.
FaHCSIA is leading an investigation into the financial security of seniors, carers and people with disability, including a review of the Age Pension, Carer Payment and Disability Support Pension, as part of the Government’s broader inquiry into Australia’s Future Tax System. The Pension Review will investigate the appropriate levels of income support and allowances, the frequency of payments, and the structure and payment of concessions or other entitlements.
FaHCSIA has implemented the Government’s commitment to increase and extend Utilities Allowance and to increase Seniors Concession Allowance. The election commitment to increase Telephone Allowance for seniors, carers and people with disability who have a home internet connection was also implemented. The first quarterly payments commenced in March 2008.
The one‑off bonus payments to senior Australians, announced in the 2008–09 Budget, were provided in June 2008 to income support recipients of Age Pension, Wife Pension and Widow B Pension, and to Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders.
To make it easier and cheaper for seniors who travel interstate, the Government has committed to negotiating with state and territory governments to achieve reciprocal concessions for state Seniors Card holders who access public transport services outside their home state. Fifty million dollars has been provided over four years to implement this plan from 1 January 2009.
FaHCSIA provides a suite of high-quality publications and information services to ensure that clients, potential clients and others planning their retirement have sufficient general information to help them access government entitlements and to make effective use of their private resources.
The challenge in providing this information is to help clients make informed decisions about when and how to retire, but in particular how to increase their skills to become financially prepared for retirement.
The Mental Health Community Based Program aims to support families, carers, children and young people (16–24 years) affected by mental illness through a diverse range of community programs. In 2007–08, 38 new projects were funded in all states and territories to build on family strengths and improve resilience and family functioning, particularly for Indigenous families and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The Mental Health Respite Program supports carers of people with severe mental illness or intellectual disability by increasing the number who can take a break from their usual caring role. In 2007–08, the mental health and intellectual disability respite services have continued to expand, with 120 new services funded to support carers.
The Personal Helpers and Mentors Program assists people with severe functional limitation as a result of a severe mental illness to better manage their daily activities, access appropriate services and live independently in the community. A further 48 sites were implemented nationally during 2007–08 to increase social support for people with mental illness, including support for engagement with their community, families and carers.
There has been significant reform of the business services sector over recent years, designed to enhance employment opportunities for people with disability and boost the commercial viability of business services. The key elements of these reforms are a legislated quality assurance system and the introduction of case‑based funding.
In 2007–08, FaHCSIA has continued to build on and consolidate gains made with the reforms to the business service sector. A marketing and promotions strategy was identified as a way to build upon the significant investment made in business services over previous years to improve their business viability. The strategy is a way to connect potential purchasers of products and services with the businesses themselves. It is expected that additional business generated for the sector through the strategy will deliver greater sustainability in employment for business service employees with disability.
The Government has commenced a process to develop a National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy. The development is a key part of the Government’s response to increasing employment opportunities for people with disability and/or mental illness who wish to work.
The Government is committed to improving the support available to older carers. Australian State and Territory Disability Ministers have agreed to deliver $1.9 billion in funding to deliver more than 24,800 additional disability places, including:
Funding of $51 million over the three years to 2009–10 is being transferred to states and territories to develop additional respite capacity for older carers.
The Young Carers Respite and Information Services program targets young carers at risk of leaving school prematurely and not completing their education. The program also assists young carers with support, respite, information and advice.
A national program of peer support for parents of young children with disability called MyTime, aims to reduce isolation for parents and provide access to information and networks.
Special Disability Trusts attract social security means test concessions and make it easier for families to provide financially for the current and future care and accommodation needs of immediate family members with severe disability. However, take‑up has been low to date and these trusts are the subject of a Senate inquiry to examine why more families of dependants with disability are not making use of the current provisions.
The outcomes of consultations to identify the needs of carers planning for the future care and accommodation of a family member with disability were released in Succession Planning for Carers: Summary Report on Consultations—July 2007. Research was also undertaken to examine if the promotional material met the information and useability needs of those planning for the future.
The National Women’s Secretariats, through consultation with their member organisations, provide valuable input to assist the Government to formulate a policy that is beneficial to all Australian women.
The Government convened a National Rural Women’s Summit in June 2008, involving 80 delegates from across Australia. The Office for Women will examine the outcomes of the summit, including the option to establish a National Rural Women’s Network.
The Office for Women is preparing Australia’s combined sixth and seventh report on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and worked with the Attorney‑General’s Department to finalise the National Interest Analysis, a prerequisite to ratifying the Optional Protocol to CEDAW, which was tabled in Parliament on 26 August 2008.
The Office for Women plays a key role in providing policy advice aimed at improving the status and position of Australian women. The Office for Women serves as the principal focus for consultation between the women’s sector and the Government and works closely with other Australian Government departments and agencies.
In 2007–08, FaHCSIA assisted vulnerable women through activities addressing the issue of violence against women and promoting women’s safety.
Funding was provided for the Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault and the Australian Institute of Criminology to undertake research on family and domestic violence and sexual assault. Funding was also provided for community level research and pilot projects throughout Australia to inform policy on domestic violence and sexual assault in Australia.
Training is provided for rural and remote practice nurses and Aboriginal health workers in providing referrals for victims of domestic violence. Under this initiative, eligible general practices will receive an incentive payment for nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers who complete the training. This program is funded in partnership with the Department of Health and Ageing through their Practice Incentive Program Scheme.
Through the AppointWomen monitoring system, the Office for Women provides a whole‑of‑government status report on the representation of women on Australian Government boards and bodies. Funding was provided to national non‑government women’s groups to improve leadership opportunities for women.
FaHCSIA acknowledges that women have differing needs across their lifespan and provides opportunity and choice for Australian women in the many and diverse roles they undertake.
The Office for Women supports and promotes the participation of women at international forums that focus on women’s issues, in particular the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and the Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation Women Leaders’ Network. The Office for Women continues to support the participation of representatives from non‑government organisations at the Commission, with four delegates attending in 2008.
Each year, the Office for Women organises a number of major events on days of international significance to women:
This measure applies to Outcomes 1 and 2. Refer to the Outcome 1 performance report for details on this measure.
Increases to the special and intermediate rates of Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Disability Pension payments, from 1 July 2007, resulted in increased assessable income for some social security pensioners. This led to a minor reduction in outlays on social security pension payments.
Changes were made to the means test assessment of proceeds from the sale of a principal home for income support recipients, who are unable to build or purchase their new home within 12 months due to factors beyond their control. The temporary absence rules were also changed to assist income support recipients, such as people affected by natural disasters. These two changes took effect from 1 July 2007.
As part of the 2007–08 Budget, an additional $13.1 million over four years was provided to ensure effective, efficient and timely administration of the Assurance of Support (AoS) Program. A number of changes to the program were also implemented on 1 January 2008, including changes to the income test for assurers and the removal of the AoS requirements from skilled and carer visa categories.
In 2008, the Government provided around $428.1 million for one‑off lump sum carer bonus payments to recognise the important role and contribution of carers in our community. A payment of $1,000 was made to carers who receive the Carer Payment or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Carer Service Pension. Carer Allowance recipients who receive a Wife Pension or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Partner Service Pension also received $1,000. Carer Allowance recipients were paid $600 for each eligible care receiver. Carer bonus payments are not subject to income tax, nor are they treated as income for social security purposes.
The interim one‑off Carer Adjustment Payment ex‑gratia scheme is available to families who are not eligible for Carer Payment (child), but who have significant caring requirements following a catastrophic event for a child zero to six years with severe disability or illness. Families need to present their case for consideration by an independent panel of experts. To be eligible, at least some part of the immediate adjustment period must fall on, after, or close to the start date of the scheme (1 January 2007).
As part of the whole‑of‑government strategy to combat trafficking in persons, the Government launched an Action Plan to Eradicate Trafficking in Persons, which commenced in 2004. The plan has a particular focus on the successful prosecution of perpetrators as the best defence against people trafficking.
One element of the plan is the Support for Victims of People Trafficking Program, which is coordinated by the Office for Women and delivered in partnership with the Attorney‑General’s Department, the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. The Government has provided funding of $4.1 million over four years from 2007–10 for the Support for Victims of People Trafficking Program.
The program is available to victims of people trafficking who are both willing and able to assist with the investigation or prosecution of a people trafficking offence. Eligibility for support is tied to certain types of visa under the People Trafficking Visa Framework. Support includes income assistance, access to accommodation, medical treatment, legal and migration advice, counselling, training and social support.
State and Territory Disability Ministers have agreed to extend the current Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement to 31 December 2008. This will allow time for the Council of Australian Governments’ Specific Purpose Payment (SPP) reform process to be finalised. The SPP reform process will generate a new framework for government, state and territory financial relations. A new National Disability Agreement will be developed under this framework.
Within the Disability Employment Assistance Program, the case‑based funding model is a fee‑for-service arrangement designed to provide an equitable means of distributing funding to business services on the basis of their supported employees’ individual support needs.
This measure applies to Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Refer to the Outcome 1 performance report for details on this measure.
This 2007–08 measure responds to increased numbers of Age Pension recipients receiving incorrect payments due to inaccurate valuations of real estate assets. Included as part of this measure is an education campaign to inform customers about their requirement to notify Centrelink of changes in assets.
These measures apply to Outcomes 2 and 3.
Customers who are in receipt of payments for which FaHCSIA is responsible may also be affected by the fraud and compliance Budget measures implemented by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
The DHS measures enhance the focus on identity fraud and ensuring customers receive their correct payment.
The DEEWR measure improves the accuracy of outlays through the verification of earnings.
This measure introduces risk profiling to the selection of Carer Payment reviews. Risk profiling adopts a more targeted review framework that focuses on those who are at risk of receiving incorrect payment through undeclared income and assets or relinquished care.
This measure expands on the assurance framework to Government on the integrity of FaHCSIA outlays by continuing and increasing the number of age pension, carer payment and carer allowance surveys, and the addition of special benefit and family tax benefit surveys to the ongoing rolling random sample. This measure applies to Outcomes 2 and 3.
This measure introduces a daily electronic transfer of death registration data from state and territory Registries of Births, Deaths and Marriages to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Centrelink.
Changes in the means test exemption threshold for funeral bonds from 1 January 2008 will help people to make better provision for their funeral.
From 1 October 2007, the provision of a Health Care Card was extended to full‑time students aged 16–25 years, who are former recipients of care under the Carer Allowance (child) payment. The Health Care Card is valid for a 12‑month period. Extending access to a Health Care Card helps students with disability or a medical condition to manage their ongoing medical costs and continue their education.
The 2007–08 Budget provided the HILDA longitudinal survey with $20.9 million for Waves 9–12, which will cover the period 2008–09 to 2011–12. Funding for Waves 9–12 will enable HILDA to continue to supply researchers and social policy makers with valuable data on changes to families, employment and incomes in Australia. This measure applies to Outcomes 2, 3 and 4.
From 1 January 2008, the Crisis Payment was extended to humanitarian entrants who enter Australia for the first time on a qualifying humanitarian visa. The additional financial support provided through the Crisis Payment helps reduce the significant financial burden faced by humanitarian entrants during their initial settlement period.
During 2006–07, the number of partner visas in the family stream was increased by 4,000 places, as announced by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. This level was maintained in the 2007–08 Migration Program. Government assistance funded by the FaHCSIA portfolio may be available to some of these migrants and includes such payments as Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Benefit and Special Benefit. This measure applies to Outcomes 2 and 3.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship announced that an additional 8,800 places would be provided in the 2007–08 Migration Program, comprising Skilled Migrant and Family Stream places. Most of these migrants are subject to a two‑year waiting period for income support payments, and 10 years in the case of Age Pension. However, all migrants can receive family payments immediately upon arrival in Australia. This measure applies to Outcomes 2 and 3.
Changes are being implemented to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the National Disability Advocacy Program.
An additional $12.2 million over four years was announced in the 2007–08 Federal Budget to fund improvements to the program and deliver extra services to people with disability who are most in need. This additional funding builds on the existing work already undertaken to enhance the National Disability Advocacy Program.
The MyTime program of peer support groups is for parents and carers who are eligible for the Carer Allowance (child), and are caring for a child under school age with disability, developmental delay or a chronic medical condition.
FaHCSIA has contributed $9 million in funding to the MyTime groups, which were launched in April 2007. Specifically aimed at parents of young children with disability, it is the first nationally‑funded program of its kind in the world.
On 19 February 2008, at the Noah’s Ark Resources Centre in Rivett (Australian Capital Territory), the Hon. Bill Shorten, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, launched the 100th MyTime Peer Support Group in Australia.
Almost 600 families have joined MyTime since its launch, with a third of families located in regional areas. The MyTime groups are facilitated by a play helper, who leads children in activities such as singing, drawing, and play—allowing the parents to meet and talk with other parents.
According to Christian Thompson, Director of Community Programs at the Parenting Research Centre, the coordinating body for the initiative, ‘Parents and carers are reporting that MyTime is a place where they feel completely accepted. They are surprised by how much difference it makes having a completely supportive space where they can share experiences and catch up with others who understand what they are going through, in a space where their child’s disability does not make them feel different.’
When Julie discovered her daughter Hayley had Autism, she was devastated and had difficulty maintaining friendships. Since finding out about MyTime through her playgroup, Julie has been able to form new friendships with parents in similar situations. ‘I had a real opportunity to share problems with people who understand what I’m going through.’
Julie has found her kids have also benefited from participating in the MyTime group. Julie says that Hayley is interacting with the other children in MyTime more than she ever used to with children at her playgroup.
‘It’s less overwhelming for Hayley and she can do her own thing. All sessions are great. It’s time for me,’ Julie said.
19 February 2008—Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, the Hon. Bill Shorten, MP, at the launch of the MyTime Peer Support Group in Rivett, Australian Capital Territory. The Canberra group is the 100th MyTime group formed in Australia, as part of the $9 million nation‑wide peer support program.
Changes to the Pension Bonus Scheme were implemented from 1 January 2008 to make the scheme more flexible. These changes included: the introduction of a new Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment, more flexible arrangements for scheme members taking leave from their employment, flexibility to accept claims that were lodged late because of circumstances beyond the person’s control, and top‑ups to bonus payments in specified circumstances.
In April 2007, the Government announced an extension of funding through the forward estimates to the Reconnect program of $85 million over the next four years.
The Respite Support for Carers of Young People with Severe and Profound Disability Program will continue with additional funding of $1.5 million over four years, on top of existing program funding of almost $6 million per year. This increased the provision of immediate and short‑term respite to carers of young people with severe or profound disability.
A one‑off bonus payment of $500 was made to each senior Australian who received Utilities Allowance or Seniors Concession Allowance. The payment was made to more than two million senior Australians before the end of June 2007, at a cost of $1.3 billion.
All Australian legislative requirements for the proposed Supplementary Agreement on Social Security between Australia and Germany were completed on 18 June 2008. The Supplementary Agreement is expected to commence on 1 October 2008.
The legislation for the Social Security Agreement between Australia and Korea passed successfully through both Parliaments. The agreement is expected to commence on 1 October 2008.
The Mental Health Community Based Program (MHCBP) aims to support families, carers, children and young people (16–24 years) affected by mental illness through a diverse range of community programs. The program seeks to build on family strengths and improve resilience. It is delivered by service providers in each state and territory.
As an example, the MHCBP was able to provide a young mother with practical support. The mother was experiencing high levels of stress as she was caring for two children under the age of five and supporting her husband, who experienced debilitating migraines and was frequently hospitalised for treatment of a mental illness. The maternal grandmother had also died recently and, as she had been a great support to the client, her loss was also a source of considerable stress.
Over several weekly meetings with the mother, the project workers explored the effects of stress on her and the family and assisted her management of the family affairs. Additional child care hours were organised, allowing the mother more time for herself and she was able to develop an understanding of the effects of this stress on herself and her family.
The mother has said that she has found the whole experience very helpful; that she doesn’t feel alone anymore and that her own mental health is improving.
The Australian Government’s $190 million Helping Children with Autism package was implemented from July 2008. Prior to this, funding was provided to support the development of the key components of the measure and to consult with key stakeholders, including the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) sector, states and territories and relevant experts in ASDs.
In May 2008, the Government in partnership with state and territory governments agreed to deliver a $1.9 billion funding boost to disability support services across Australia over four years.
State and territory governments agreed to deliver $901 million in funding, in addition to the $901 million from the Commonwealth. The Government also committed an additional $100 million in new capital funding for state and territory governments to establish new supported accommodation facilities, which will deliver 313 new supported accommodation places across Australia.
In total, the $1.9 billion in funding will deliver more than 24,800 additional disability places, including:
The Government will continue to work with state and territory governments to rollout this significant investment. Together, all governments are committed to strengthening services for people with disability and their families.
Other initiatives implemented include the Child Disability Assistance Payment (a $1,000 annual payment to recipients of Carer Allowance who are caring for a child with disability under 16 years), vacation care and outside school hours services for children and teenagers with disability, and an examination of ways to increase private sector involvement and investment in the funding of disability services and related infrastructure.
Seniors Concession Allowance is a payment for holders of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) to help with household costs. The allowance was increased from $218 to $500 a year for CSHC holders. The allowance is paid in quarterly instalments of $125 commencing 20 March 2008.
On 26 May 2008, the Government announced the establishment of a National Council, responsible for developing a National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. The plan will aim to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault, an objective that augments the Government’s election commitment to improve women’s safety in Australia. The council is working to provide the Government with their plan by December 2008.
From 1 October 2007, concessions were extended on the Great Southern Rail Services for travel between Alice Springs and Darwin on the Ghan for certain pensioners and veterans. The cost of this extension was met from within the existing appropriation.
Telephone Allowance increased by 50 per cent from $88 to $132 a year on 20 March 2008 for singles and couples combined for seniors, carers and people with disability, who have a home internet connection. It is available for income support recipients of age pension age, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders and recipients of Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment where they, or their partner, have a home internet connection.
FaHCSIA contributed funding over four years, from its departmental budget, towards the establishment of the Social Inclusion Unit in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The unit was established in December 2007 to oversee the development and implementation of the Government’s social inclusion agenda.
Legislative requirements in both countries were completed on 18 June 2008 for the Social Security Agreement between Australia and the Hellenic Republic. The agreement covers the Australian Age Pension and Greek Old Age Pension and will commence on 1 October 2008. The agreement will make it easier for people who have spent part of their working life in Australia and Greece to qualify for and claim pensions from both countries.
Utilities Allowance is paid to older Australians on income support to provide assistance with household utilities bills. Commencing 20 March 2008, the allowance was increased from $107.20 a year to $500 a year for singles and couples combined for all current recipients, and extended to recipients of the Widow B Pension, Wife Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and Bereavement Allowance.
These changes resulted in increased assessable income for some social security pensioners. This led to a minor reduction in outlays on social security pension payments.
The Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) program assists people aged 16 years and over whose ability to manage their daily activities and to live independently in the community is impacted by a severe functional limitation as a result of a severe mental illness. This is achieved through increasing opportunities for recovery.
The program is delivered by service providers in each state and territory. Personal helpers and mentors employed by each service provider support program participants in their recovery process. They help participants to access appropriate services, manage their daily activities, engage with their community, families and carers, and plan for their recovery.
A 51 year old male with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and anxiety disorder was referred to PHaMs by a specialised mental health care service. The participant occasionally left his home to go shopping, but due to severe anxiety, had not left his immediate neighbourhood for 20 years. He was also unable to clean his house. A PHaMs worker built rapport with the man through home visits and social outings.
Through an individual recovery plan, the participant identified his major goals as ‘gaining part time employment’ and ‘a cleaner house’. The PHaMs worker organised assistance and skill training in house cleaning and explored employment options with the participant. The participant successfully undertook an interview and skills assessment with a Disability Employment Service. This resulted in him gaining entry into the assembly and spare parts wing of an organisation where he is now working eight hours a week.
This measure applies to Outcomes 1, 2, and 4. Refer to the Outcome 1 performance report for details on this measure.
An independent evaluation of the National Illicit Drugs Strategy—Strengthening Families Program was conducted by Courage Partners in 2007. The evaluation employed a multi‑function methodological approach, which engaged a diverse range of stakeholders.
The evaluation identified that the Strengthening Families Program addressed needs that are not systemically and comprehensively addressed by other Australian Government and state and territory governments measures and programs. The evaluation reported that service delivery outcomes have collectively contributed to improvements in service capacity, service delivery models, policies and systems and the capacity of the workforce to deliver services to families. Under the Strengthening Families Program, resources have also been produced which have the potential for wider application in assisting families.
The review recommended that the program be expanded to enhance the capacity of the alcohol and other drugs and the family services sectors in responding to the needs of families.
When people who are being cared for at home move into a nursing home or residential aged care facility, their carers cease to qualify for Carer Payment after 14 weeks and Carer Allowance on entry into the home. In the past, it was possible for carers to receive payments in error, due to lack of information available to Centrelink about their change in status.
On 1 July 2007, a new data matching system commenced that allows information from the Department of Health and Ageing to be matched with Centrelink data. FaHCSIA examines this database daily to match data on people going into care with data on whether their carers are on Carer Payment or Carer Allowance. This activity allows Centrelink to review these payments immediately, before a debt is accrued, significantly easing the financial burden for people whose eligibility for the payments has ceased.
The new system has made it much easier for changes in eligibility to be identified and actioned. In its first six months of operation, 2,907 payment reviews were actioned.