Central Bayside

HACC Standards

What is HACC?

The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program is a national service program that aims to provide basic, long-term services for frail older people, younger people with disabilities and the carers of both of these groups, so they can live safely and appropriately in the community and in their own homes, rather than institutions, like nursing homes or hostels.

The HACC Program came into existence through the Home and Community Care (HACC) Act, 1985 and is funded in each State and Territory by the Commonwealth and State/Territory governments. In NSW, HACC is administered by the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC).

It is a requirement of HACC funding that service agencies meet the HACC National Standards, which are reflected in their operational policy and procedures. To ensure that this happens, all HACC services are subject to a self assessment and validation by the funding body against the National Service Standards. These standards are:

Standard 1: Access to services Each consumer's access to a service is decided only on the basis of relative need.	Standard 2: Information and consultation Each consumer is informed about his/her rights and responsibilities and the services available, and consulted about any changes required.
Standard 3: Efficient and effective management Consumers receive the benefit of well-planned, efficient and accountable service management.	Standard 4: Co-ordinated, planned and reliable service delivery Each consumer receives co-ordinated services that are planned, reliable and meet his/her specific ongoing needs.
Standard 5: Privacy, confidentiality and access to personal information Each consumer's rights to privacy and confidentiality are respected, and he/she has access to personal information held by the agency about him/her.	Standard 6: Complaints and disputes Each consumer has access to fair and equitable procedures for dealing with complaints and disputes.
Standard 7: Access to an advocate To ensure that each consumer has access to an advocate of his/her choice.