Application for Accreditation as a Service Provider
Important Information
Thank you for your interest in applying for accreditation as a service provider for the Australian Government Hearing Services Program (the program).
The Department of Health (the department) is responsible for managing and administering the program. Through the program, the department continues to work towards reducing the incidence and consequences of avoidable hearing loss in the Australian community by providing access to high quality hearing services and devices.
The program is responsible for ensuring that over 280 contracted service providers meet contractural and legislative requirements to protect client safety, provide quality outcomes, and monitor the efficient use of Government resources.
All accredited and contracted service providers must comply with the Hearing Services Administration Act 1997 (the Act), the Hearing Services Program (Voucher) Instrument 2019 (Instrument), the current Service Provider Contract (the contract), and the Schedule of Service Items and Fees. It is important you review these documents prior to submitting your application.
Please review the above documents, provide your name and email address, and read the documentation checklist below before continuing the application.
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is the process of approving an entity to provide hearing services to the program clients. The Instrument establishes the criteria against which service providers are assessed for accreditation.
Section 15 of the Act allows the Minister to accredit entities as service providers under the program. Section 20 of the Act allows the Minister to engage an accredited service provider to provide hearing services to voucher-holders. A service provider which has been accredited and engaged to provide services is known as a contracted service provider. Only a contracted service provider may provide services to a voucher holder under the program.
Section 19(3) of the Instrument states the matters to which the Minister may have regard when considering to accredit an entity. These matters are:
(a) the standard of the service provided by the entity, including:
(i) the competency of the qualified practitioners employed by the entity;
(ii) whether the entity has appropriate systems and processes in place to protect clients personal safety and health information;
(iii) the standard of the premises in which the services will be provided;
(b) any other matters that might affect the standard or delivery or claiming of services.