Department of Health and Human Services (Victoria)

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was a government department in Victoria, Australia. Commencing operation on 1 January 2015, it was responsible for the state's health system, as well as various other aspects of social policy.

Department of Health and Human Services
Department overview
Formed1 January 2015 (2015-01-01)
Preceding agencies
  • Department of Health III
  • Department of Human Services
Dissolved1 February 2021 (2021-02-01)
Superseding agencies
JurisdictionVictoria, Australia
Headquarters50 Lonsdale Street,
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Employees8,732 (June 2020)
Annual budget$22.0 billion (FY 2019-20)
Ministers responsible
Department executive
  • Professor Euan Wallace AM, Secretary
Websitedhhs.vic.gov.au
Footnotes
[1]

The DHHS was formed following machinery of government changes in the aftermath of the 2014 state election, assuming the functions of the previous Department of Health and Department of Human Services, respectively.[2][3]

After further re-structures in January 2019, the Department's responsibilities relating to sport and recreation were instead transferred to the newly-created Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions.

On 30 November 2020, the Premier announced that Health and Human Services functions will be separated into a new Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH). The new DoH will oversee public health, aging, mental health and ambulance service portfolios while DFFH will hold responsibility for child protection, housing and disability. As part of this change DFFH will gain a number of functions that currently reside with The Department of Premier and Cabinet. These functions will include veterans affairs, women and youth, multicultural affairs and LGBTQI+ equality. The split took effect on 1 February 2021.[4]

Ministers

The DHHS supports five ministers in the following portfolio areas:

Name Party Portfolio
Martin Foley Labor Minister for Health

Minister for Ambulance Services Minister for the Coordination of Health and Human Services: COVID-19

Richard Wynne Labor Minister for Housing
Luke Donnellan Labor Minister for Child Protection
Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers
Gabrielle Williams Labor Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence

Functions

The DHHS has responsibility for the following policy areas:

References
  1. Annual Report 2019-20 (PDF). Melbourne: Department of Health and Human Services. October 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  2. "Statement from the Premier of Victoria announcing machinery of government changes". scribd.com. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  3. Donaldson, David (5 December 2014). "Victorian service reshuffle: super-departments born". The Mandarin. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  4. Grand, Chip Le (30 November 2020). "Government to separate Health and Human Services departments". The Age. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  • Human Services Provides information about housing and community services in Victoria and the development of policies to improve the lives of vulnerable people including children, young people and those living with a disability.
  • Health Provides information about planning, policy development, funding and regulation of health services and activities that promote and protect Victoria’s health. This includes delivery of mental health and aged care services in Victoria.
  • Housing Provides information about housing and housing assistance in Victoria.
  • Sports and Recreation Provides information about sport and recreation in Victoria.
  • Better Health Channel Provides information on health and medical information.
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