Human Services
Centrelink efficiencies — reduction in paper‑based claims and correspondence
| 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | 2012‑13 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centrelink | - | 12.4 | -43.0 | -50.1 | -57.2 |
| Related capital ($m) | |||||
| Centrelink | - | 6.6 | - | - | - |
The Government will reduce the use of paper‑based claim forms and correspondence within Centrelink by increasing the use of document scanning and enhancing systems to better manage and handle all forms and correspondence. From 1 July 2010, paper forms received by Centrelink each day will be scanned at, or as close as possible to, the point of receipt. This will increase efficiency by reducing the cost of transferring paper forms between Centrelink sites and record management units, and by reducing storage costs for paper documents.
This measure is expected to deliver net savings of $131.3 million over four years and includes capital funding of $6.6 million in 2009‑10.
Fraud and compliance — increased compliance activity
| 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | 2012‑13 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centrelink | - | 2.3 | 5.3 | 2.8 | -0.3 |
| Department of Veterans' Affairs | - | 0.5 | 0.2 | -0.5 | -0.8 |
| Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs | - | .. | -3.7 | -6.5 | -4.0 |
| Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations | - | -0.8 | -18.2 | -30.3 | -31.4 |
| Total | - | 2.0 | -16.4 | -34.5 | -36.5 |
The Government will undertake additional activities as part of the compliance program for social welfare payments. The Government will extend Centrelink's data mining capability to more efficiently identify Newstart Allowance customers at risk of being incorrectly paid.
This measure also includes data matching initiatives to detect the undeclared transfer of foreign funds to recipients of Centrelink payments (including private income, capital, inheritances and foreign repatriation). The cases for review will be identified by monitoring foreign funds transfers.
In addition, the measure will also increase the number of reviews the Department of Veterans' Affairs undertakes of pensioners assessed as at risk of being incorrectly paid.
The Government will provide $11.7 million over four years to administer this program, with welfare overpayments expected to be reduced by $97.1 million over four years, resulting in net savings of $85.3 million over four years.
Human Services delivery research — reduction in scope
| 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | 2012‑13 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centrelink | - | -1.0 | -1.0 | -1.0 | - |
The Government will reduce the scope of research activities carried out under the Human Services Delivery Research Alliance, delivering savings of $3.0 million over three years from 2009‑10. The program is a five‑year research program on service delivery innovation. The Government will continue to provide Centrelink with $12.0 million over five years to contribute to this research.
Job seeker contacts with Centrelink — streamlined arrangements
| 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | 2012‑13 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centrelink | - | 14.5 | -36.1 | -36.6 | -37.0 |
The Government will streamline the arrangements for job seekers who need to contact Centrelink. From 1 July 2010, fortnightly income reporting requirements will be met through electronic lodgement over the Internet, or by telephone utilising interactive voice recognition software. In addition, the frequency of face‑to‑face workforce participation interviews with Centrelink staff will be reduced under this measure.
This measure is expected to deliver net savings of $95.2 million over four years.
If www.budget.gov.au responds slowly or you are having trouble downloading a document, try one of the Budget Website Mirrors
Note: Where possible, Budget documents are available in HTML and for downloading in Portable Document Format(PDF). If you require further information on any of the tables or charts on this website, please contact The Treasury.
