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Welcome to Disability, Housing and Community Services

The ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services has responsibility for a wide range of human services functions in the ACT, including multicultural affairs, community services, older people, women, public and community housing services and policy, children, youth and family support services and policy, disability policy and services, therapy services, Child and Family Centres, the ACT Government Concessions Program, homelessness, community engagement, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, and community disaster recovery.

What's New ...

For a comprehensive list of DHCS Publications please visit DHCS Publications.
Current Information

Meet the Director Meeting June 2008

This report is a summary of the major issues that were discussed at the last quarterly "Meet the Director" meeting which was held on 10 June 2008.

Meet the Director Meeting Report 104KB
Meet the Director Meeting Report 70KB

Announcing the BLITS Website

BLITS - Business Leaders Innovative Thoughts and Solutions - http://www.blits.org.au

BLITS promotes initiatives that value and engage people with disabilities as customers, suppliers, employees and employers in business the arts and sport.

The BLITS website is provided as a point of reference and contact for businesses in the ACT and Region engaging with people with disabilities as customers, suppliers, employees and employers in business the arts and sport. This site offers a useful business information directory, business profiles and a diary dates section.

A regular BLITS E-News facility is available to those using the ‘sign up’ facility.

The BLITS motto says it all: ‘Business + Disability = Smart Thinking’

Access to Government Strategy Report 2006

In July 2003 the ACT Government launched its Access to ACT Government Strategy. This Strategy was an innitiative of the ACT Disability Advisory Council, and completed in collaboration with Disability ACT, Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services (DHCS). This whole of government evaluation report covers the period from the Strategy's launch in July 2003 to June 2006

Access to Government Strategy Report 2006 228KB
Access to Government Strategy Report 2006 405KB

Review of Philanthropy in the ACT

The Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services engaged Urbis to undertake a review of the nature and extent of philanthropic giving in the ACT, with the aim of identifying its adequacy, trends, impediments and opportunities for growth. The Report of the Review of Philanthropy in the Australian Capital Territory and the ACT Government's response to the report are now available.

Report of the Review of Philanthropy in the Australian Capital Territory 121kb
ACT Government's response to the report 1.9Mb

The Red Tape Review

The Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services engaged MinterEllison Consulting to review administrative and regulatory requirements that apply to non-profit organisations in the ACT. The aim of the Review was to identify any areas of unnecessary compliance burden that may be modified, reduced or removed to assist the efficiency and viability of the non-profit sector in the ACT. The Report of the Review of Administrative Requirements of Non-profit Organisations in the ACT 2008 and the ACT Government's response to the report is now available.

Report of the Review of Administrative Requirements of Non-profit Organisations in the ACT 2008 378kb
ACT Government's response to the report 52kb

Body Piercing and Tattooing - ACT Discussion Paper

Body Piercing and Tattooing - ACT Discussion Paper Added 24.05.08
Body piercing and tattooing concern young people, parents and other community members. Many jurisdictions across Australia have reviewed or are reviewing laws on the tattooing and body piercing of children and young people.

The Children and Young People Act 1999 currently prohibits the tattooing of children and young people under the age of 18 years, without the prior written permission of a parent being obtained for a specific procedure. The Act is silent in relation to body piercing.

The ACT Government is seeking community comment regarding how the law should relate to the tattooing and body piercing of children and young people in the Australian Capital Territory. A Discussion Paper has been prepared outlining issues for consideration.

The period for comment closes on 7 July 2008.
Comments may be mailed to:
Business Improvement Unit
Office for Children, Youth and Family Support
Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2600
Comments may be emailed to: submissionsocyfs@act.gov.au

Australian Capital Territory Budget 2008-2009

Australian Capital Territory Budget 2008-2009
Presented on 6 May 2008 by Jon Stanhope MLA,
Treasurer of the Australian Capital Territory

$24.6 Million For Community Facilities in the ACT

Visit this link to access the Purdon & Associates reports, including individual site reports.

ACT Homelessness Charter - A Statement of Rights

ACT Homelessness Charter - A Statement of Rights.

Bimberi Recruitment - Information Sessions

Bimberi will replace the current Youth Detention Centre at Symonston. It will be the first Human Rights Compliant youth detention centre in Australia. As well as being designed to meet Human Rights standards, Bimberi will have the latest in security technology for all security levels from low to maximum. Bimberi will have state-of-the-art recreation, education, training and health facilities.

For further information please phone Dani Ohmsen on 6205 4928.

Bimberi Administrative Services Officer Class 3/4 - $46,253 - $55,974
Duty Statement & Selection Criteria 46kb
Duty Statement & Selection Criteria 39.6kb

Application Package 272kb

Community Partners News & Information

Latest Community Partners News & Information June 08 3,1KB
Previous Community Partners News & Information

Children and Young People Bill 2008

The Children and Young People Bill 2008 was introduced in the ACT Legislative Assembly on 6 March 2008 by the Minister for Children and Young People, Katy Gallagher and Attorney General, Simon Corbell.

The Bill proposes significant reform to the law relating to children and young people in the Territory, particularly in the areas of care and protection, youth justice, the regulation of childcare services and employment. The Bill will replace the Children and Young People Act 1999.

The Bill has been informed by a comprehensive review of the 1999 Act.

Annual Report 2006-07

DHCS Annual Report 2006-07

2007/08 Disability ACT Budget Initiative

Questions and Answers about the 2007/08 Budget Initiative - Disability ACT response to known and unmet demand.
2007/08 ACT Budget Allocation

Finding their way Home

(this research is jointly funded by the Australian Government under the Supported Accommodation and Assistance Program (SAAP) and the ACT Government)

Finding their way home: Children's experience of homelessness (large) 7.47mb
Literature review: The experiences and effects of family homelessness for children 580kb
Literature review: Engaging children in research on sensitive issues 4.27kb

Community Support & Infrastructure Grants Program

Young People's Plan 2004-2008

Young People's Plan 2004-2008 Progress Report 260KB

Changes to ACT Public Housing Policy

On 20 April 2007, the ACT Government announced changes to the public housing policy aimed at reducing the pressure on waiting lists and further ensuring public housing is targeted at Canberrans most in need.

The changes are detailed in the media releases attached below.

Tenants with any enquiries about these changes can telephone 133427.

Housing changes assist those most in need 31KB
Housing changes assist those most in need 70KB

Shorter waiting times for Public Housing 30KB
Shorter waiting times for Public Housing 65KB