An historical overview of Australia's largest and oldest provider of vocational rehabilitation--CRS Australia.

CRS Australia, the largest and oldest vocational rehabilitation provider in Australia, is examined over its 60-year history. The Australian government located CRS initially in the Department of Social Security, and subsequently in the Department of Community Services however, its establishment required a complexity of policy and range of skills that were not found in one arm of government alone and required cooperation from many government departments. A disagreement between the government and the medical profession about the purpose and control of rehabilitation features in the early history of CRS Australia. Factors such as greater involvement of people with disabilities and government inquiries led to a move from a centre-based to a community-based approach to vocational rehabilitation in the 1970s. CRS Australia is a large employer of health and human service professionals and has played a significant part in the development of these professions in Australia. In recent years, CRS Australia has provided greater business accountability to government and the broader Australian community. CRS Australia's role as an expert vocational assessment agency and vocational rehabilitation provider is expected to continue as welfare reform progresses in Australia.