HACC in Victoria & National Reform
.
Jane Herington PSM
Director, Ageing and Aged Care, Department of Health Victoria
HACC in Victoria & National Reform
National Disability Insurance Scheme (DisabilityCare Australia) agreement between the Victorian and Commonwealth Government

included an agreement to broader revision of roles and
responsibilities for people 65 and over and people aged under 65
(and indigenous people over/under 50)
 The Agreement will affect the HACC Program in Victoria, which is
currently funded by both the Victorian and Commonwealth
Government

the program will be split, with funding and management of
services for
people over 65 transferring to the Commonwealth
The Heads of Agreement state that: “the Commonwealth and Victoria
will work together to retain the benefits of Victoria’s current Home and
Community Care service system.”
Timelines
 Transition being overseen by a CW/State Steering Group
 Commonwealth PM&C, Treasury, DoHA
 Victorian P&C, DTF, DH
 First meeting to discuss terms of reference and timelines for
transition plan – June 2013
 Transition plan agreed (and approved by Victorian Cabinet) earlymid 2014 – key milestones, funding and activities agreed
 Transition implementation activities over 2014-2015
 identification of agency splits – funding for over/under 65
y.o clients
 agreement around other funding types – FSR, SSR and
projects
 integration/interface with C’w Home Support Program
 C’w funding agreements for service delivery agencies commence 1
July 2015
 C’w Home Support Program intended to commence 1 July 2015
Impacts 2013-15
 What will be the impact in the short term?
no immediate impact on HACC clients or service
providers
seeking undertakings about current service delivery
arrangements (“stable state”)
transition plan will document milestones to enable
agencies to make decisions and to plan for change
 What will happen over the next 2 years to 30 June 2015?
HACC will continue to be funded jointly by the
Commonwealth and Victorian Governments and
managed by the Victorian Department of Health
decisions about growth funds and indexation each
year will continue to be taken by both Governments
in the context of their respective Budgets
growth consultations for 2013-14 to commence next
two weeks
DH will continue to pursue the directions in Victoria’s
Key elements of Steering Group considerations
 “The CW and Victoria will work collaboratively to ensure
successful communication and implementation of the
transition of HACC and related services for older people in
Victoria from 1 July 2015.”
 “The CW and Victoria will work together to retain the benefits
of Victoria’s current HACC service system.”
Commonwealth/State discussions to include:
 The unique arrangements for HACC in Victoria
 How Victorian HACC will inform development of
Commonwealth Home Support Program
 introduced from July 2015 in all states
 future integration/interface issues with Victorian HACC
 Financial arrangements, including




split of funds over/under 65
budget neutrality (neither govt better or worse off as a result)
pricing issues
relationship with related programs and NDIS
Victoria’s view of the benefits of the Victorian HACC
system
 significant role and involvement of local government in
HACC
 local government role in positive ageing, planning for agefriendly
communities and community support services
 Partnership approach to developing and managing service system
 Local area planning and population based resource allocation
 Framework and structure of assessment (inc. care planning, care
coordination)
 Range of services available, including investment in community
nursing and allied health

Victoria has spent more on home nursing and allied health than any other
jurisdiction
The benefits of the Victorian HACC service
system (cont.)
Focus on HACC as locally connected prevention and support
services
Policy directions, including wellness and reablement; diversity
planning
Sector wide service development
 eg. statewide training; ASM industry consultants; access and
equity for CALD and ATSI; wound care management; regional
planning and projects
Relationships between health services, community health and
community aged care to provide more integrated services for older
people
Service coordination encouraging electronic referral protocols and
networked services working together around the client
Investment in infrastructure
 eg. local government buildings, transport
vehicles,
Community Chef, workforce, funding for minor
capital
Towards a Victorian position
Maintain stable and planned platform
Continuation of base funding to existing providers


exc. underperformance/closure and new types of services
Schedule F to NHA included undertaking to ‘not substantially alter
service delivery mechanisms for period of 3 years, and “there is no
requirement for services to be delivered under competitive tender
processes”
Growth funds continue to be directed into key services and
sectors, on equitably planned basis

note recent C’w advertising of growth in other jurisdictions
Continued investment in community nursing and allied health
– consideration being given to retention by State
Retention of current network of HACC Assessment Services

interacting with national Gateway service, and maintaining face to
face assessment where appropriate
Towards a Victorian position (cont.)
 Recognise role of ACAS in both health services and aged
care services, and build on existing links with HAS
 Embedding ASM approach to reablement objectives –
building on Victoria’s participation in NAF trial
 Consultative planning (C’w, State, Local Govt, service
providers)
 Seek C’w to endorse evidence-based approach to resource
allocation
 recognising existing service networks, demand pressures and
rates of older population growth, and allowing for population
diversity
 Develop mechanism for continued sector wide service
development initiatives
 Discuss C’w approach to program management
What does this mean?
 Discussions with C’w will continue
 Significant work to be undertaken by DH/DoHA, reporting to
Steering Committee
 Bilateral discussions re design of Commonwealth Home
Support Program – proposing C’w/State workshop
 Context is a national approach to delivery of CHSP and need
to rationalise very different (prior) approaches in different
jurisdictions
 C’w response to our propositions yet to be tested
Next steps
 Further engagement

peak bodies stakeholder group meeting 25 July
-MAV, RDNS, ECCV, VACCHO, NDS, LASA, AAV,
CarersVic, VHA, AMA, GPV, PCP Network
- development of position paper for endorsement
 Joint communication with DoHA to the sector
 Regional forums
 Suggested DoHA meeting with local government
 Transition Team established
- Calvin Graham, Deb Warren, Sarah Wilson
 Transition information will be posted at:
www.health.vic.gov.au/hacc/transition/index.htm