Department of Health and Human Services (Victoria) explained

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.

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 would be separated into a new Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH). The new DoH would oversee public health, aging, mental health and ambulance service portfolios while DFFH would hold responsibility for child protection, housing and disability. As part of this change, DFFH would gain a number of functions that currently reside with The Department of Premier and Cabinet. The split took effect on 1 February 2021.^[4]

Ministers

Until its dissolution, the DHHS supported five ministers in the following portfolio areas:

Name		Party	Portfolio
	Martin Foley	Labor	Minister for Health Minister for Ambulance Services
	James Merlino	Labor	Minister for Mental Health
width=5px style="color:inherit;background:;"		Richard Wynne	Labor	Minister for Housing
width=5px style="color:inherit;background:;"		Luke Donnellan	Labor	Minister for Child Protection Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers
width=5px style="color:inherit;background:;"		Gabrielle Williams	Labor	Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence

Functions

The DHHS has responsibility for the following policy areas:

• Public health
• Ambulance services
• Housing
• Mental health
• Child protection
• Family services
• Disability services
• Ageing
• Family violence
• Community health

External links

• 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.

Notes and References

1. Book: Annual Report 2019-20 . October 2020 . Department of Health and Human Services . Melbourne . 21 December 2020.
2. Web site: Statement from the Premier of Victoria announcing machinery of government changes. scribd.com . 8 February 2015.
3. Web site: Victorian service reshuffle: super-departments born. The Mandarin. 14 December 2017. 5 December 2014. David. Donaldson.
4. Web site: Grand. Chip Le. 2020-11-30. Government to separate Health and Human Services departments. 2020-11-30. The Age. en.