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Home and Community Care (HACC) - Community Transport Sub-program
The HACC program provides community care services to frail aged and younger people with disabilities, and their carers. The aim of the program is to enhance the independence of people in these groups and avoid their premature or inappropriate admission to long-term residential care. HACC is a national program, with the costs shared between the Commonwealth Government (60%) and State Government (40%).
In NSW, the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) undertakes the planning and policy development of transport services provided through the HACC Community Transport Sub-program. The Ministry of Transport administers the bulk of the community transport component of the HACC program,and works directly with service providers on a day to day basis. The Ministry of Transport distributes funds and administers the Community Transport sub-program services.
Target Groups
People eligible to receive HACC services are frail older people, people with disabilities, including children, and their carers. Within the HACC target population there are a number of special needs groups:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
- People from non-English speaking backgrounds
- People with dementia
- Financially disadvantaged persons
- People living in rural and remote areas
A range of strategies has been devised to improve access to special needs groups.
Post assessment, the people most in need are given priority of access to services.
How is funding allocated?
When required, DADHC advertise for providers of HACC funded services such as Community Transport. Organisations eligible to apply for and provide HACC Program services include local governments, community organisations, religious and charitable bodies, State Government agencies, health agencies and private (for profit) organisations. Non-government organisations are required to be incorporated under the appropriate Act.
Funds are generally allocated through a tender process managed by DADHC. However, existing funded services generally continue to receive funding so long as the need for the service continues and accountability requirements are met. These requirements include:
- Return of annual projected operating budgets and audited financial statements
- Participation in monitoring and review processes
- Return of Minimum Data Set (MDS) data on a quarterly basis
Client Fees
Agencies that are funded to provide HACC services are required to implement the HACC fees policy. This requires agencies to seek a contribution from clients. However, clients will receive services regardless of their capacity to pay. Agencies are required to provide additional service with client fees collected.
