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Nationally Funded Centres Program
The Nationally Funded Centres (NFCs) Program was established in 1990 to provide Australians with equitable access to certain high cost, low demand, new and emerging medical technologies. NFC's are approved by the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC) and funded by the jurisdictions.
The AHMAC oversees all aspects of the NFC Program and associated policy. Details can be found at the NFC Program website, which is maintained by SA Health.
NFC eligibility
For a technology to be considered for provision in a NFC, it must be an established clinical practice requiring a national population base for efficient and effective service provision. The scope of technology eligible for consideration as a NFC includes devices, prostheses, techniques, skills or expertise (or personnel with particular skills or expertise) and/or procedures, or combinations of these. Service delivery of technologies approved as NFC Programs may occur in one or more sites and is restricted to these sites.
Provision of some technologies in NFCs will be long term. With others, the duration will be shorter as the practice becomes diffused across the health system. In some instances, approval to provide a technology in a NFC may be withdrawn due to evidence not available at the time of its approval. Approved NFC Programs are funded from a pool with contributions from all States and Territories according to a weighted population-based formula.
- Victorian health services seeking to establish a NFC should consult with the department in the first instance.
Assessments and reviews of NFC Programs
Assessments of new nominations for the NFC Program are undertaken by independent experts. Existing NFCs are formally reviewed every three to five years to determine ongoing status as NFCs. Copies of previous reviews can be found at the NFC Program website.
Enquiries
Enquiries about Nationally Funded Centres should be directed to Dr Paul Fennessy on phone 9096 2142 or email paul.fennessy@health.vic.gov.au
