The Department of Social Services (DSS) is a department of the Australian Government charged with the responsibility for national policies and programs that help deliver a strong and fair society for all Australians.

The head of the department is the Secretary of the Department of Social Services, currently Michael Lye,[3] who reports to the Minister for Social Services.

The head office of the department is located in the Australian Capital Territory suburb of Greenway.

The department was formed by way of an Administrative Arrangements Order issued on 18 September 2013[4] and replaced the majority of the functions previously performed by the former Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA); with the exception of Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination, that was transferred to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

[5][6][7] In an Administrative Arrangements Order made on 18 September 2013, the functions of the department were broadly classified into the following matters:[4] The Secretary of the Department Social Services is the head of the department, also known as the secretary of the level of Senior Executive Service Band 4 in the Australian Public Service as per the Public Service Act 1999.