Information and communication technologies assisted the department to provide information technology policy and information support services to enhance the department's effectiveness, efficiency, functional capabilities, governance, and value for money.
Implementing innovative and effective information, communication and technology solutions that support the organisation's core and emerging business
A significant amount of work was undertaken to enhance and further develop the department's existing information and communication technology systems to incorporate policy changes and new initiatives in housing services.
The Bond Loan System Project was successfully completed in November 2008 when the new BondScape system went live. This project commenced in 2005-06 to migrate the information processing of the Bond Loan and Rental Grant programs to a new platform to provide the department with greater flexibility and improved functionality in managing its products.
As part of the Client Intake and Assessment Process the newly developed Housing Needs Assessment system went live in September 2008. This followed the successful completion of all systems development, procedures and training for the service delivery network, including a procedures manual, a new application form and fact sheets updated and uploaded on the department's internet and intranet sites.
Phase two of the Information and Communication Technology Project for the Client Intake and Assessment Process was well progressed including functionality for information verification which went live on 20 March 2009. Work is continuing for the next phase which involves system changes for Housing Needs Assessment and eligibility for Indigenous local communities.
The core business system that supported the department was the Systems Application and Products (SAP) system. A number of enhancements were made to SAP throughout the year to align with policy changes and the establishment of new housing products.
Between 1 July 2008 and 31 March 2009, enhancements in the SAP environment were made to:
- assist the department to meet its reporting obligations to the Families Responsibilities Commission under the Family Responsibility Commission Act 2008, which commenced on 1 July 2008
- allow for changes relating to Centrelink pensions and allowances
- support the jointly funded Federal/State Government initiative, 'A Place to Call Home', which aims to provide support to vulnerable members of the community who may otherwise be homeless
- support the transition of properties relating to the Indigenous Community Housing Organisations project, from the Federal Government to the State Government.
In addition, the department developed systems to support:
- RentConnect, a new housing initiative to assist more people into the private rental market
- the National Rental Affordability Scheme, which is a joint funded Federal/State Government initiative to improve housing affordability across Australia
- the Asset Valuation Management System, which allows valuations of properties prepared by valuation companies on behalf of the department to be recorded online, providing increased efficiency in the collection and management of property valuations
- enhancements to the Strategic Asset Management System to provide more efficient service delivery
- water property compliance, which relates to tracking installation of water-saving devices in social rental housing properties
- systems development for mobile computer technologies to improve efficiency with property inspections.
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