# Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

The former Australian Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) was a department of the Australian Government located in Greenway in Canberra. It was formed in 2007 and absorbed the former Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. As a result of an Administrative Arrangements Order issued on 18 September 2013, the Department of Social Services was established and assumed most of the responsibilities of FaHCSIA; with indigenous affairs functions assumed by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

## Operational activities

The former department's role was to develop social policies and support affected Australian society and the living standards of Australian families. The Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination was a part of FaHCSIA. In the Administrative Arrangements Order of 3 December 2007, the functions of the department were broadly classified into the following matters:
* Income security policies and programs for families with children, carers, the aged and people in hardship
* Services for families with children, people with disabilities and carers
* Community support services, excluding the Home and Community Care program
* Family relationship services
* Housing policy co-ordination, welfare housing and rent assistance
* Women's policies and programs
* Indigenous policy co-ordination and the promotion of reconciliation
* Community development employment projects

## Administrative structure

Ministers and parliamentary secretaries for the former Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs :
| Start date | End date | Ministerial title | Minister |
| 3 Dec 2007 | 18 Sep 2013 | Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Minister for Disability Reform | Jenny Macklin |
| 14 Dec 2011 | 18 Sep 2013 | Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Community Services, Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Minister for the Status of Women | Julie Collins |
| 25 Mar 2013 | 18 Sep 2013 | Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers | Amanda Rishworth |
| 1 Jul 2013 | 18 Sep 2013 | Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Homelessness | Doug Cameron |
| 4 Feb 2013 | 1 Jul 2013 | Minister for Housing and Homelessness | Mark Butler |
| 4 Feb 2013 | 1 Jul 2013 | Parliamentary Secretary for Homelessness and Social Housing | Melissa Parke |
| 14 Sep 2010 | 25 Mar 2013 | Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers | Jan McLucas |
| 5 Mar 2012 | Feb 2013 | Minister for Housing and Homelessness | Brendan O'Connor |
| 14 Dec 2011 | 5 Mar 2012 | Minister for Housing and Homelessness | Robert McClelland |
| 14 Sep 2010 | Nov 2011 | Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness | Mark Arbib |
| 14 Sep 2010 | Nov 2011 | Minister for the Status of Women | Kate Ellis |
| 3 Dec 2007 | 14 Sep 2010 | Minister for Housing Minister for Status of Women | Tanya Plibersek |
| 3 Dec 2007 | 14 Sep 2010 | Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction | Bill Shorten |
| 3 Dec 2007 | 14 Sep 2010 | Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector | Ursula Stephens |
The Secretaries of the department were:
* Dr Jeff Harmer (3 December 2007 to April 2011). Harmer had been appointed Secretary of the previous Department of Families and Community Services in October 2004.
* Mr Finn Pratt (April 2011 to 18 September 2013).