The Federal Department of Health is now the Department of Health and Aged Care, as of 1 July.

Following the Federal Election in May, the Governor-General issued an Administrative Arrangements Order (AAO) to change the Department’s name in order to reflect the new Labor Government’s priorities.

“The change reflects the importance of aged care to the community, and the department’s focus on aged care reform,” the Department said.

Despite the name change, the dedicated Aged Care Ministry under Anika Wells has remained outside of Cabinet, with Mark Butler heading up the overall Department as Minister for Health and Aged Care.