Department of Health

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health CareExternal Link is responsible under the National Health Reform Act 2011External Link for the formulation of standards relating to health care safety and quality matters and for formulating and coordinating national models of accreditation for health service organisations.

All Victorian public health services must undergo regular assessments to maintain their accreditation through the Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation SchemeExternal Link (AHSSQA).

These include:

  • metropolitan (this includes specialist and denominational health services
  • regional
  • subregional
  • local and small rural and multi-purpose services
  • clinical mental health services provided by public health services (including ForensicareExternal Link )
  • public dental housed within health or
  • community health services.

The National Safety and Quality Health Service StandardsExternal Link (NSQHS) (second edition) comprises of eight standards that ensure all health services have rigorous and consistent safety and quality systems.

The Victorian Department of Health (the department) as the regulator is responsible for monitoring the accreditation status of health service organisations.

The department, in conjunction with Safer Care VictoriaExternal Link , supports health service organisations to address and resolve issues, concerns and recommendations arising from accreditation.

Where there is non-compliance, the department in its regulatory role, may increase surveillance and monitoring of the health service organisation until it achieves full compliance.

The department’s role is prescribed by a range of legislation including action under the Health Services Act 1988External Link , Mental Health Act 2014External Link , and the terms of the Performance monitoring framework (for community health services, and other providers not included in the Health Services Act 1988External Link compliance.

Reviewed 08 August 2023

Health.vic

Contact us

For information and assistance about public hospital accreditation

Regulator Department of Health

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