FAQs

On 28 April 2017, the Premier of Western Australia announced significant changes to the public sector which is termed a Machinery of Government change. The aim of these changes is to create collaborative departments focused on whole-of-government objectives.

These changes are starting with the amalgamation of a number of government departments, leading to more efficient service delivery for our communities.

A Machinery of Government change occurs when the government decides to change the way government responsibilities or functions are managed. It can involve the movement of functions, resources and people from one agency to another.

A Machinery of Government change can lead to:

• the creation of a new government agency;
• the closure of an existing agency; and/or
• the movement of functions and responsibilities from one WA Public Sector agency to another.

In the case of the Department of Communities it incorporates all of the above.

The newly-formed Department of Communities comprises several existing agencies and their components, including:

• Department for Child Protection and Family Support
• Department of Housing (including Housing Authority)
• Disability Services Commission
• The communities component of the Department of Local Government and Communities
• Regional Services Reform Unit
• The regional coordination and engagement component of the former Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

In agreement with the new Department of Justice, components of Youth Justice Services will transfer to the new Department of Communities in the near future.

Until this transition occurs, Youth Justice Services will continue to be part of the Department of Justice.

Government has moved a long way from providing welfare as the catch-all solution for individuals, families and communities requiring support. The Department of Communities is a clear representation of this change in thinking.

The creation of the new Department provides an opportunity to remove the red tape and focus on enabling individuals, families and communities to achieve outcomes. By bringing together the expertise, knowledge and experience of the agencies that now form Communities, the Department can be more responsive to the needs of those we serve.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will take over responsibility for the NDIS in WA from 1 July 2018. All eligible people will have access to the Scheme by 2020.

Current WA NDIS participants will continue to be supported by the WA NDIS as they transfer to the NDIA. The NDIA will continue to support participants in its existing sites.

More information is available from the NDIS website at www.ndis.gov.au

Services and supports previously provided by the Housing Authority will continue under the Department of Communities. You can still use the phone, email and website links you were using before 1 July.

Services and supports previously provided by the Department for Child Protection and Family Support will continue under the Department of Communities. You can still use the phone, email and website links you were using before 1 July.

Yes, those staff will continue to work with you even though they are now employed by the Department of Communities.

Staff email addresses have been updated but they will still receive emails sent to their previous address.

The Department of Communities head office is located at:

189 Royal Street, East Perth WA 6004

To contact the Department of Communities please use one of the following:

Telephone: 08 6217 6888

Country free call: 1800 176 888

Fax: 08 9222 2776

International: +61 8 6217 6888

Street address: 189 Royal Street, East Perth WA 6004

Postal address: PO Box 6334, East Perth WA 6892

Website: www.communities.wa.gov.au

Existing agreements and contacts will not change at this stage. If there are any changes in the future, those changes will be made in consultation with you.

Please continue to provide any service that you have previously agreed to provide. Those services are critical to ensure the new Department’s ongoing support for its clients.

Payments will continue to be made according to your agreement schedule.