Closed Consultations
Below are links to previous consultations undertaken by the Australian Government Hearing Services Program (the program). For more information please e-mail hearing@health.gov.au.
Schedule of Service Items Consultation
The Department of Health consulted with key stakeholders, including service providers, practitioner professional bodies, consumer representatives and industry groups to obtain feedback on the Schedule of Service Items for Consultation. The consultation period closed on 19 June 2020, feedback and comments are currently being collated.
Service Provider Contract Redevelopment
The Department of Health consulted with key stakeholders, including service providers, practitioner professional bodies, consumer representatives and industry groups to obtain feedback on the proposed changes to the Service Provider Contract. You can also find a list of frequently asked questions related to the contract redevelopment.
Pending the new legislation, a new contract is planned to commence on 1 October 2019.
Thematic Review of Commonwealth Hearing Services Legislation – Exposure Draft Consultation
The Department of Health was required to undertake a thematic review of the Commonwealth’s hearing services legislative instruments and repeal and remake the instruments prior to their sunsetting on 1 October 2019.
As a result of the review and consultation with stakeholders, including services providers, in 2018, the following changes are proposed
- Repeal all five instruments that currently regulate the Voucher component of the program and consolidate them into one new instrument
- Amend and update the Declared Hearing Services Determination 1997
To view the drafts of the revised legislation and for further information about the consultation, including how to give feedback please visit the following webpage
Thematic Review of Commonwealth Hearing Services Legislation
The Department of Health is undertaking a thematic review (the review) of the Commonwealth’s hearing services legislation and sought input from stakeholders.
Review of Services and Technology Supply in the program
The Pricewaterhouse Coopers Review of services and technology supply in the Hearing Services Program included a public consultation process and targeted consultations with the hearing industry. This report has been provided with analysis of research, local and international environmental scanning, and recommendations for the arrangements for service items and fees, and Assistive Hearing Technology supply arrangements. The final report is now available.
Review of Service Items and Fees
The Review of Service Items and Fees provided an opportunity to examine the delivery of hearing services in the program. You can read more about the Scope of the Service Items and Fees Review.
Review of supply of Assistive Hearing Technology
The Review of the Supply of Assistive Hearing Technology(AHT) provided an opportunity to look at the technology supply arrangements in the program You can read more about the Scope of the AHT Review.
Invitation to comment on the draft Service Delivery Framework
The Service Delivery Framework for Hearing Care Services in Australia is being developed to set a benchmark for the way hearing care services are delivered in Australia. The consultation period for two key documents of the draft Service Delivery Framework: the Quality Principles for Hearing Care and the National Practice Standards for Hearing Care Practitioners closed on 31 May 2016. A total of 22 submissions were received during the broad consultation process from stakeholders in Australia from professional bodies, community and consumer advocacy organisations and organisations representing the needs of hearing impaired children. You can read more on the Overview of Consultation Feedback page.