The Health Services Act 1988 provides a framework for community health centre (CHC) governance and accountability. The framework includes a voluntary registration scheme and performance standards.
Registration
A registered community health centre (CHC) is an organisation registered under Part 3, Division 6 of the Health Services Act 1988. Registered CHC are also known as registered community health services (CHSs) and operate alongside integrated CHSs to make up the community health sector in Victoria. Integrated CHS operate under the governance of a public health service and do not require registration.
Registered CHCs 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 Commission website explains ASIC requirements for such companies.
Registration process
To be eligible for registration as a registered CHC under the Health Services Act 1988 (the Act), an organisation must:
- be a company limited by guarantee
- be able to provide the necessary information specified on section 45 (2) and (3) of the Act
- demonstrate compliance with registration criteria specified in section 47 of the Act
Registered CHCs are subject to the monitoring and governance provisions set out in the Act.
Registration as a registered CHC does not constitute a funding agreement with the Department of Health and does not guarantee that funding will be provided to the registered organisation.
Register of registered community health centres (CHC)
In line with Section 57D of the Health Services Act 1988, the department maintains a register of CHCs.
A list of registered CHCs is provided below. For full address and contact details for all registered CHCs, integrated CHSs and other Community Health Program providers, please refer to the Community health directory.
Changes to governance
Each registered CHC is required to notify the department within 28 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.
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 Standards
- National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
- Quality Improvement Council Health and Community Services Standards
- EQuiP
- ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Standard
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.
Note: Accreditation requirements for organisations that receive funding through the Community Health Program, but are not registered or integrated CHS, align with the requirements for registered CHSs. The Department of Health may also consider other standards that it deems comparable and/or appropriate for the services delivered through the Community Health Program.
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 process.
Performance standards for registered community health services were gazetted in the Victoria Government Gazette (PDF) 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 Victorian Clinical Governance Framework or the Community services quality governance framework.
Social Services Standards
Community health services that receive funding to deliver services from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, may also need to comply with the Social Services Standards.
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 became the sector regulator for health organisations in relation to these Standards.
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 webpage.
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 here. 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 performance standards (registered community health services only)
Governance resources
The Australian Centre for Healthcare Governance (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.
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