Each year the Department of Health reviews the data elements and format of its key health services data collections.
This review - the annual change process - seeks to ensure that health data collected in Victoria:
- supports the department's state and national reporting obligations
- assists planning and policy development
- reflects changes in hospital funding and service provision arrangements for the coming financial year
- incorporates appropriate feedback from data providers on improvements.
The annual change process is managed by Data Services and is governed by the Department's Annual Changes Governance Committee (ACGC).
The annual change process
This year the only proposed data collection changes that will be considered are those deemed essential to meet our national reporting obligations or key government priorities for 2026-27.
Annual changes are approved by the Deputy Secretary, Hospitals and Health Services based upon recommendations by the ACGC.
The approved changes are documented as specifications for revisions and are distributed (through the HDSS bulletin distribution list) no later than 31 December each year for implementation by 1 July of the following year. The specification documents are published by mid-January each year.
Notification of any additional changes are published in the HDSS Bulletin.
Annual Changes 2026-27 Published Proposals
The department seeks feedback from Health Information Managers, Data Submission Officers, Software Vendors, and data users on the below proposals:
There are no proposals for AIMS and VCDC and one proposal for VINAH MDS in the proposals for revisions across multiple data collections.
The department is interested in receiving feedback on the proposed changes and potential impact to health services with a focus on collectability and implementation. Feedback can be provided via the Annual Changes 2026-27 Sector Feedback form by 5pm Friday 17 October 2025.
If you have trouble accessing the published Annual Changes proposals or feedback form, please contact the HDSS HelpDesk for assistance.
Archive
For last year's revision, visit Annual changes archive.
Reviewed 03 October 2025
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