The department provides specialist services for people with special support needs and vulnerable customers. It has a role in managing:

• responses to emergency events
• programs for people affected by family and domestic violence
• Community Engagement Officer services to help customers with complex circumstances
• Youth Protective Assessments for at‑risk children and young people
• social work services
• the National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse
• rural services
• services to Indigenous Australians
• multicultural services
• money management and Income Management services
• superannuation programs for small businesses
• services to incarcerated customers.