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Appendix A: Policy Decisions taken since the 2012-13 Budget (Continued)

Expense Measures (Continued)

Human Services

Building Australia's Future Workforce — Change to eligibility criteria for Connections Interviews

Expense ($m)
	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16
Department of Human Services	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑

The Government will change the eligibility criteria for participation in Connections Interviews to include job seekers who have had a Comprehensive Compliance Assessment. Connections Interviews are joint interviews between job seekers, their Job Services Australia (JSA) provider and Department of Human Services staff. The interviews are designed to identify and address barriers to job seekers complying with participation requirements such as searching for a job, completing training or attending appointments with JSA providers.

This measure will be funded from within the existing resources of the Department of Human Services.

More convenient access to online government services

Expense ($m)
	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16
Department of Human Services	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
Department of Veterans' Affairs	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
Australian Taxation Office	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
Australian Electoral Commission	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
Department of Immigration and Citizenship	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
Attorney‑General's Department	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
Total — Expense	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑

The Government will provide $29.7 million over four years to develop a multi‑agency Information and Communications Technology (ICT) framework that gives customers more convenient access to online Commonwealth services.

The improved online functionality will allow customers to:

notify multiple Commonwealth agencies simultaneously of a change to their personal details;
create a single user name and password which can be used to access most Commonwealth transactions;
better manage these communications with the Commonwealth via an online digital inbox;
more easily find information on Commonwealth services; and
establish proof of entitlements to certain services through a document verification service.

The enhanced multi‑agency access will begin with the Department of Human Services and extend to other participating Commonwealth agencies.

Customers will continue to be able to choose whether to access information and services online, in person or by post. The Department of Human Services will also work closely with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner to ensure the continued privacy of customers' personal information.

Funding of $26.1 million will be met from within the existing resources of the Department of Human Services. The remaining $3.7 million will be met by other participating Commonwealth agencies.

The ICT framework implements recommendations of Ahead of the Game: Blueprint for Reform of Australian Government Administration and will enable better service delivery for citizens.

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