1.2 Key Responsibilities of the Department of Human Services
The Department of Human Services covers the responsibilities of the Ministers for Health, Housing, Aged Care and Community Services.
It is the largest State Government department and employs more than 11,000 people directly and over 80,000 Victorians indirectly, through the funding of hospitals, aged care, ambulances, local government and community services organisations. The department's 2005-06 budget is in excess of $10.85 billion – approximately 34 per cent of the total state budget.
The department is responsible for providing a broad range of improved health and health related services to all Victorians:
- public hospitals, community health centres and ambulance services
- aged care services, including residential and home and community care
- disability services
- early childhood, family support, child protection and juvenile justice services
- secure, affordable and appropriate housing and support services for people experiencing, or are at risk of, homelessness
- concessions to low income groups to make essential services more affordable
- health promotion and prevention of illness, disability and distress, through education, regulation, early intervention and other services
- specialist community-based and inpatient mental health services.