A Guide for Healthcare Providers - CLICK
For more information on the Charter and how you can contribute to achieving healthcare rights visit
PDF document download - Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights
PDF document download - Using the Charter of Healthcare Rights in Your Health Service
PDF document download - A guide for patients, consumers, carers, and families.
PDF document download - Roles in realising the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights
PDF document download - Safety and quality, national priorities, charter of healthcare rights
My rights
Access I have a right to health care Safety I have a right to receive safe and high quality care Respect I have a right to be shown respect, dignity and consideration. Communication I have a right to be informed about services, treatment, options and costs in a clear and open way. Participation I have a right to be included in decisions and choices about my care. Privacy I have a right to privacy and confidentiality of my personal information. Comment I have a right to comment on my care and to have my concerns addressed. |
What this means
I can access services to address my healthcare needs. I receive safe and high quality health services, provided with professional care, skill and competence. The care provided shows respect to me and my culture, beliefs, values and personal characteristics. I receive open, timely and appropriate communication about my health care in a way I can understand. I may join in making decisions and choices about my care and about health service planning. My personal privacy is maintained and proper handling of my personal health and other information is assured. I can comment on or complain about my care and have my concerns dealt with properly and promptly. |
Governance
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) was initially established in 2006 by the Australian, state and territory governments to lead and coordinate national improvements in safety and quality in health care.
In 2011, the Federal Parliament passed the National Health Reform Act 2011 (NHR Act) which established the Commission as a corporate Commonwealth entity under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). The Commission’s governance structure is determined by these Acts.
The Commission is jointly funded by all governments on a cost sharing basis, and the Commission’s annual program of work is developed in consultation with the Australian, state and territory Health Ministers.
The Commission works in partnership with patients, consumers, clinicians, managers, policy makers and healthcare organisations to achieve a sustainable, safe and high-quality health system. Over the next four years, the Commission’s strategic priorities are in the areas of:
The Commission’s planned activities over the following four year period are shaped by these four strategic priorities and align with the functions of the Commission set out in the NHR Act.
The Commission Board, appointed by the Minister for Health, is responsible for governing the Commission and meeting its functions and responsibilities under legislation. In undertaking its work the Commission is supported by the Inter-Jurisdictional Committee (IJC), which is made up of senior safety and quality managers from the Australian Government Department of Health, and the Department of Health from each state and territory. In addition, the Board has established sub-committees in the form of the Private Hospital Sector Committee and Primary Care Committee that provide a valuable connection with representatives from the private and public sectors.
Program initiatives are informed by external advisory committees, working groups, public consultation and workshops. Proposals are then referred to the IJC and Board sub-committees for review and input before consideration by the Commission Board. Major Commission proposals are forwarded to the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council and the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Council.
The Commission is situated in Sydney and is managed on a day to day basis by its CEO, Adjunct Professor Debora Picone AM.
The staff list provides information on senior management and the Commission’s program structure.
Quick links: Annual Reports
Contact Us
Find Us
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) was initially established in 2006 by the Australian, state and territory governments to lead and coordinate national improvements in safety and quality in health care.
In 2011, the Federal Parliament passed the National Health Reform Act 2011 (NHR Act) which established the Commission as a corporate Commonwealth entity under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). The Commission’s governance structure is determined by these Acts.
The Commission is jointly funded by all governments on a cost sharing basis, and the Commission’s annual program of work is developed in consultation with the Australian, state and territory Health Ministers.
The Commission works in partnership with patients, consumers, clinicians, managers, policy makers and healthcare organisations to achieve a sustainable, safe and high-quality health system. Over the next four years, the Commission’s strategic priorities are in the areas of:
- patient safety
- partnering with patients, consumers and communities
- quality cost and value
- supporting health professionals to provide safe and high-quality care.
The Commission’s planned activities over the following four year period are shaped by these four strategic priorities and align with the functions of the Commission set out in the NHR Act.
The Commission Board, appointed by the Minister for Health, is responsible for governing the Commission and meeting its functions and responsibilities under legislation. In undertaking its work the Commission is supported by the Inter-Jurisdictional Committee (IJC), which is made up of senior safety and quality managers from the Australian Government Department of Health, and the Department of Health from each state and territory. In addition, the Board has established sub-committees in the form of the Private Hospital Sector Committee and Primary Care Committee that provide a valuable connection with representatives from the private and public sectors.
Program initiatives are informed by external advisory committees, working groups, public consultation and workshops. Proposals are then referred to the IJC and Board sub-committees for review and input before consideration by the Commission Board. Major Commission proposals are forwarded to the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council and the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Council.
The Commission is situated in Sydney and is managed on a day to day basis by its CEO, Adjunct Professor Debora Picone AM.
The staff list provides information on senior management and the Commission’s program structure.
Quick links: Annual Reports
Contact Us
Find Us