A social services sector regulator is to be established under new legislation to reduce red tape and bolster enforcement powers.
Minister for Child Protection, Luke Donnellan said the Social Services Regulation Act 2021 would streamline and simplify regulation of the services.
“The new system will establish a single set of Social Service Standards and a single registration process for hundreds of community organisations, as well as an independent regulator, with a statutory office holder to be appointed,” Mr Donnellan said.
“The reforms will be phased in from 1 July 2023 to give time for the sector to transition to the new arrangements,” he said.
“Services covered will include family violence, homelessness, Supported Residential Services and disability services not within the National Disability Insurance Scheme.”
Mr Donnellan said the new Social Services Sector Regulator would also oversee children, youth and family services.
The Minister said the new Regulator would replace the current Human Services Regulator and provide decision-making separation between the responsibilities of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and decisions exercised by the Regulator.
“The Regulator can identify shortcomings in service delivery and work with providers to improve standards, issue fines to providers in breach of their responsibilities and initiate criminal proceedings for aggravated breaches of the Standards where there has been wilful and serious non-compliance,” Mr Donnellan said.
