Full description Background
In 1985 further major changes in the administration and provision of health services were given effect by a series of Administrative Arrangement Orders, (numbers 30, 31, 36, 37, 41 and 42), amendments to the Public Service Act 1974 and the Health Amendment Act 1985 (No.10262).
Following a review of the provision of health services many services which had been traditionally regarded as health services were redefined as community services and responsibility for these functions was transferred to the Department of Community Services (VA 2633).
In May 1985 the Department of Community Services became responsible for pre-school services including the administration of pre-school centres, child minding centres and services for the care of pre-school children (other than those which catered exclusively for intellectually disabled pre-school children). (See also VA 2868 Committee of Review of Early Childhood Services.)
The Department of Community Services also became responsible for the administration of a number of benevolent societies and institutions listed in Schedule Two of Administrative Arrangements Order No.37 1985. The institutions and organisations listed provide services to children, families, the aged and people with physical and sensory disabilities.
The major responsibilities of the Department were,
Child Development and Care including:
pre-school and child care services
child care centres
child minding regulations
aboriginal pre-school services.
From 1990, Child Care and Pre-School Services were transferred to the Office ofPreSchool and Child Care Services under a Minister responsible for Child Care.
Following significant machinery of government changes after the election of the first Kennett Government in October 1992, the Department of Health and Community Services was established by Administrative Arrangements Order No.114. The Department of Health and Community Services assumed all functions from the Department of Community Services (VA 2633) including the Office of Pre-School and Child Care.
In further significant machinery of government changes after the re-election of the Kennett Government in April 1996, the Department of Health and Community Services was abolished. All functions were transferred to the Department of Human Services (VA 3970) on 3 April 1996 under Administrative Arrangements Order No.150.
Data time period: 1836 to 2013