Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Health and Ageing has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1)   In 2010-11 the department managed the impact of the efficiency dividend without reducing staffing levels.

  In 2010, the Australian Government commissioned a review of the administrative arrangements in the Health and Ageing portfolio (strategic review). A thorough analysis of the portfolio has been undertaken, including examination of its approach to program and grant management and corporate services.

Staffing numbers in 2011-12 and the forward estimates will be impacted by the strategic review outcomes together with movement in measure funding, cost pressures and Budget parameters i.e. the efficiency dividend and wage cost indexation. It is presently estimated staffing for the core department will reduce from a forecast 4,060 staff in 2010-11 to a forecast 3,640 in 2012-13 i.e. an estimated decrease of 420 staff or approximately 10%.

(2)   See answer to part (1).

(3)   The Department of Health and Ageing is engaged in a process of continual improvement for graduate recruitment, cadetships and similar programs. The Department will continue to recruit entry level staff via graduate recruitment, Indigenous graduate recruitment, Indigenous cadetships, ICT Cadetships and ICT Apprenticeships at similar levels to previous years.