Our portfolio
Portfolio bodies
We provide advice to our ministers on strategic governance issues associated with portfolio bodies. This includes advice on ministerial appointments, performance outcomes and their contribution to the government’s broader policy agenda.
Australian Institute of Family Studies
Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) conducts research and communicate findings for policy makers, service providers and the broader community to improve the wellbeing of children, families and communities.
Visit the Australian Institute of Family Studies(Opens external website) website.
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission
The Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission is a national body dedicated to addressing and ending violence against women and children in all its forms. Its objectives are:
- promoting the National Plan objectives to end gender-based violence and monitoring impact
- amplifying the voices of people with lived and living experience for meaningful engagement in shaping policy design and service delivery
- fostering collaboration and coordination across government and communities to enhance connection and reduce fragmentation and improve outcomes
- providing strategic advice to inform strengthened policy and practice, and improved outcomes.
Visit the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission(Opens external website) website.
National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People
The National Commission is an independent national entity. It was established to protect and promote the rights, interests and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, as well as calling out their strengths, sense of hope and ideas for change.
The National Commissioner will:
- provide policy advice and inform the implementation of key policy frameworks
- foster relationships and undertake consultations with a range of stakeholders, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- coordinate and leverage efforts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, state and territory children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates.
Visit the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People(Opens external website) website.
Statutory appointments
A statutory office holder is a person who holds a position to which duties and functions are specifically assigned in legislation. This is different to people who carry out the duties and functions assigned to a body established in legislation.
We support the minister in appointment matters for the following statutory appointments.
| Position | Name of agency/board/council | Appointing authority | Enabling legislation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) | Minister | Family Law Act 1975(Opens external website), section 114D |
| Commissioner | Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Commission | Minister | Public Service Act 1999(Opens external website), section 67 |
| National Commissioner | National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People | Minister | Public Service Act 1999(Opens external website), section 67 |
| Membership | Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee | Minister | Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee Act 2023(Opens external website) |
Significant ministerial appointments to non-statutory boards and advisory bodies
We support policy areas to make significant appointments to non-statutory boards and advisory bodies within the department.
- Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) Expert Advisory Committee (formerly the AIFS Advisory Council)
- Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS)
- Our Watch
- First Nations National Plan Steering Committee
More information
Find more information about the statutory and non-statutory significant appointments (including appointee details) in the Social Services Portfolio in: