Australian Government departments and agencies

The Government has developed The Australian Public Service Social Inclusion Policy Design and Delivery Toolkit, a practical guide to the design and delivery of policy. The toolkit is designed to change the approach of the Australian Public Service to the policy design and delivery, so that the needs of disadvantaged people are better met. The Government has agreed that that all Commonwealth agencies are required to apply the social inclusion method of policy design and delivery set out in the toolkit.

Many Government initiatives, policies and programs contribute to social inclusion in Australia. These are administered by a range of Australian Government departments, including:

• Department of Human Services
  The Department of Human Services (which includes the Child Support Agency and CRS Australia) and its portfolio agencies (Centrelink and Medicare) work to improve government social and health-related services to all Australians. As part of the Government's service delivery reforms, DHS is improving the way services are provided, including by providing side-by-side services in a number of locations across Australia.
• Attorney-General's Department
  The Attorney-General's Department supports the Government to maintain and improve Australia's system of law and justice. It works towards achieving a just and secure society and, an equitable and accessible system of federal civil justice for all Australians.
• Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
  DEEWR's priorities include educating and building socially inclusive communities where all Australians have the opportunity to reach their full potential and to actively participate in a rewarding economic and social life.
• Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
  FaHCSIA works to improve the lives of Australians by creating opportunities for economic and social participation by individuals, families and communities, including in the areas of housing, community and family services, and policies to support Indigenous Australians.
• Department of Health and Ageing
  The Department of Health and Ageing works to achieve better health and active ageing for all Australians in the context of a health system that supports universal and affordable access to high quality medical, pharmaceutical and hospital services; and health promotion; and disease prevention activities.
• Department of Immigration and Citizenship
  The Department of Immigration and Citizenship assists the successful settlement of new arrivals and refugees into the community.
• Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water and Population
  SEWPAC is responsible for promoting a sustainable way of life, including improving the wellbeing of current and future generations through a sustainable population strategy and ensuring housing is affordable.
• Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
  The Department supports the Government to develop ongoing partnerships with regional Australia and local government, to ensure regions are given a strong voice to allow them to inform government decision-making.
• Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
  DBCDE's goal is to help develop a vibrant, sustainable and internationally-competitive broadband, broadcasting and communications sector and, through this, promote the digital economy for the benefit of all Australians.
• Department of Infrastructure and Transport
  The Department contributes to the wellbeing of all Australians by assisting the Government to promote, evaluate, plan and invest in infrastructure and by fostering an efficient, sustainable, competitive, safe and secure transport system.
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
  The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s role is to develop and implement policies and programs that ensure Australia's agricultural, fisheries, food and forestry industries remain competitive, profitable and sustainable.  Through targeted programs, the department aims to build the leadership and representative capacity of specific groups including women, young people, Indigenous Australians and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to strengthen community resilience and ensure the future productivity of primary industries.