They are responsible for the development of service delivery policy and provide access to social, health and other payments and services.

On 26 October 2004, they were created as part of the Finance and Administration portfolio. The Human Services Legislation Amendment Act 2011 integrated Medicare Australia and Centrelink into the Department of Human Services on 1 July 2011

They work closely with Australian Hearing in providing strategic advice to the Minister and Secretary on service delivery policy and regulatory requirements for services delivered under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program.

Payments and services

They offer a range of health, social and welfare payments and services through the following programs:

Medicare

Looks after the health of Australians through programs such as the:

• - Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
• - Australian Childhood Immunisation Register and
• - Australian Organ Donor Register

Centrelink

Delivers payments and services and provides services at times of major change for:

• - seniors
• - job seekers
• - students and trainees
• - families
• - carers
• - parents
• - people with disability
• - Indigenous Australians, and
• - people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Child Support

Gives separated parents the financial and emotional support needed for their children’s wellbeing.