The Health Services Act provides a framework for community health centre (CHC) governance and accountability. The framework includes a voluntary registration scheme and performance standards.
Registration
CHC's that are not part of a health service register with the department to receive funding for community and dental health programs.
CHCs can apply to register.
In line with the Health Services Act 1988, the department maintains a register of CHCs. The register records:
- the name of each registered CHC
- the address of each registered CHC
- contact information for each registered CHC
- names and contact details of board members.
Currently, there are 24 CHCs that are registered to receive community health and dental funding from the department.
They are subject to ongoing performance monitoring under the legislation and their funding and service agreement with the department.
Registered CHCs operate as companies limited by guarantee. The Australian Securities and Investments website explains ASIC requirements for such companies.
Changes to governance
Each registered CHC is required to notify the department within 30 days every time a significant change occurs to their organisation’s governance, management or core operating policies; for example:
- significant changes to the constitution and legal status of the registered CHC, such as changes to the company's objects or the number, type and pecuniary interests of directors
- major changes to the service profile of the registered CHC that would impact on performance targets
- any events that were reported to the registered CHC's insurer
- borrowings, including finance leases and bank overdrafts of 8 per cent of total departmental funding or $500k, whichever is lower
- changes to financial viability or risk management processes
- changes in the accreditation status of the registered CHC.
Compliance against performance standards is monitored through an annual attestation from registered CHCs.
From 1 July 2023, CHCs that hold organisation wide accreditation against either the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, or the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards, and have met all service agreement financial accountability requirements, will be able to provide evidence of their accreditation status in lieu of completing the annual attestation.
Accreditation and standards
Accreditation is an important part of the regulatory framework for community health services. Accreditation provides assurance to government and the community that systems are present to protect the public from harm and ensure the quality of services provided.
Accreditation requirements
Accreditation is a condition of registration as a Community Health Centre under the Health Services Act (1988), and a Community Health Program funding requirement.
Community health services must be accredited by a body or entity certified by the International Society for Quality in Health Care or the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand.
Accreditation must cover the whole organisation and include standards that assess governance, management, quality and safety.
Applicable standards
For registered community health services, applicable standards include the following:
- National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare
- National Safety and Quality Health Service
- Quality Improvement Council Health and Community Services Standards
- EQuiP
- ISO 9001:2015
Integrated community health services are subject to the accreditation requirements of their parent health service and must comply with the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
All public dental services must be assessed against either the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards or the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
Performance standards for registered community health services only
Performance standards represent the standard of operation for registered community health services (described as community health centres) and are a requirement of registration under the Health Services Act (1988).
To be registered and maintain registration under the Act, community health services must demonstrate compliance against 5 areas of performance:
- Governance
- Management
- Financial management
- Risk management
- Quality (accreditation and service delivery)
Compliance against the performance standards is monitored through an annual attestation from registered community health services.
Performance standards for registered community health services were gazetted in the Victoria Government Gazette on 5 March 2009 and came into effect on 30 June 2009.
Clinical governance
Community health services should be guided in the development and delivery of clinical governance systems by the Safer Care Victoria Clinical governance or the Community services quality governance .
Human Services Standards
Compliance with the Human Services is a requirement for all organisations that receive funding from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing to deliver services directly to clients. Many community health services will be in scope of these Standards.
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing is changing how it regulates services and replacing the current Human Services Standards with new Social Service Standards as part of a new Social Services Regulatory Framework expected to commence in 2024. For information and timelines, visit the Human Services Regulator .
Child Safe Standards
Compliance with the Child Safe Standards is a Child Wellbeing and Safety Act (2005) requirement and applies to all community health services.
New Child Safe Standards were introduced on 1 July 2022. From 1 January 2023, the Secretary of the Department of Health will become the sector regulator for health organisations in relation to these Standards.
Quality accounts
All public health services and registered community health services are required to submit an annual Quality .
Public health services with integrated community health services must address community health in their accounts.
Quality accounts provide the Victorian community with an account of a service's performance and improvement work across several domains, including accreditation.
Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (MARAM) and information sharing
The Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) Framework and information sharing schemes ensure that services effectively address family violence and promote child wellbeing and safety.
Community health services are among the organisations prescribed under regulations for MARAM and information sharing. For further information and requirements see the Frequently asked questions about information sharing and MARAM
Other accreditation and regulatory requirements
Community health services receive funding from across the Department of Health, as well as the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, other state government departments, the Commonwealth government and local government.
Community health services should refer to all relevant program guidelines and regulators to identify applicable accreditation and regulatory requirements in addition to those outlined in this document. This should include, but is not limited to:
How compliance with accreditation requirements is monitored
The Department of Health monitors compliance by community health services with accreditation requirements through existing regulatory and performance monitoring processes. This includes:
- Performance monitoring activity in accordance with:
- Performance Monitoring Framework (integrated community health services)
- Agency Monitoring Framework (registered community health services)
- Annual attestation for gazetted standards (registered community health services only)
Community health services also report to the public on their accreditation status as part of their annual Quality .
Governance resources
The Australian Centre for Healthcare (ACHG) helps the healthcare sector know more about governance. It also guides and supports healthcare organisations in meeting their significant governance responsibilities. It offers, for example, opportunities for individuals and groups to participate in governance forums and networks.
Reviewed 11 September 2023