New health policy and funding guidelines

15 July 2011

The Victorian health policy and funding guidelines 2011-12 have been released.

The Department of Health is responsible for delivering a wide range of health services to the community. The guidelines form an essential operating manual that communicates the key accountability, compliance and reporting requirements.

The guidelines have been developed to increase transparency and boost performance of services.

The 2011-12 guidelines comprise of three parts:

• Part one: Key changes and new initiatives. This part provides an overview of the important policy, program, funding and reporting changes that are coming into effect this financial year. It outlines budget highlights for 2011–12 as well as any policy or program changes that funded organisations should be aware of.
  
  
• Part two: Health operations. This part provides an explanation of how funded organisations are expected to operate. It is broken down into five main sections including service delivery, accountability, funding, budgets and price tables.
  
  
• Part three: Technical guidelines. This provides the technical aspects of the operation of hospital funding models and payment rates.

The guidelines provide organisations funded by the department with details on their budget allocation for 2011-12.

Based on the information contained within the guidelines, the Department of Health will work with agencies to negotiate service agreements and targets, including the Statement of Priorities.

Further information

To find out more and to download the guidelines, visit the Victorian health policy and funding guidelines website.