In 2009, the Australian Government and the State and Territory governments entered into a series of high-level Partnership Agreements which are the main mechanism through which programs aimed at addressing homelessness will be delivered.
In addition to the high-level agreements, the Australian Government has taken other initiatives that address specific groups of the homeless or people who are at risk of becoming homeless. These initiatives are outlined below:
Centrelink services for homeless people and those at risk of homelessness
National Homelessness Research
National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards
National Quality Framework for the provision of services to people who are homeless
Prime Minister’s Council on Homelessness
Supported Accommodation Innovation Fund (SAIF)
Australian Government Minister
On 5 March 2012, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP was appointed the Australian Government Minister for Housing and Homelessness, from the Hon Robert McClelland MP.
Media releases and speeches made by the former Ministers are available from the Archived Media Site of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.