Healthcare facility licensing

The Health Protection Service encourages applicants to discuss their fit-out plans and proposed procedures with us. Please call 02 6205 1700 during business hours.

All applications for Health Care Facility Activity Licences must be submitted online and accompanied by the fee. Fit out plans should accompany your application form.

If you need to update or change the details on your licence, please apply online for a Health Care Facility Licence Variation.

Please send all hardcopies of forms to: Health Protection Service, Locked Bag 5005, Weston Creek, ACT 2611

Helpful links

• Health Care Facility Application Form
• Health Care Facility Licence Variation Form
• Transfer of ownership

Please see the table below for licence fees.

Please note: there is a $79 fee for transfer of a licence.

Item 4: Accreditation

ACT Health follows the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS). For more information on accrediting agencies, please check their website.

The following organisations are recognised accreditation systems under the Code:

• The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards
• EQuIP
• Global Mark
• Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee (RTAC)
• Benchmark in Health

New facility operators should use an accreditation agency from the list approved by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare.

If you have any questions, please contact the Health Protection Service on 02 6205 1700.

ACT Health follows the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS). For more information on accrediting agencies, please check their website.

The following organisations are recognised accreditation systems under the Code:

• The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards
• EQuIP
• Global Mark
• Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee (RTAC)
• Benchmark in Health

New facility operators should use an accreditation agency from the list approved by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare.

If you have any questions, please contact the Health Protection Service on 02 6205 1700.

Please see the following links for compliance with relevant health care facility structure standards.

• Australian Building Code Board — Building Code of Australia
• Health Facility Guidelines — Australasian Health Facility Guidelines

For more information on building guidelines for the ACT, please see the ACT Planning and Land Authority website:

• Development Application Guidelines
• Building Approval Information
• Approvals required

All general records maintained by health care facilities must be stored in accordance with Australian Standards. This includes storage of accounts, insurance documents and correspondence.

The procedure for storing medical, or health records is set under Part 5 of the ACT Health Care Facilities Code of Practice 2001.

If you provide food to your patients, you must register as a food business. You must also meet the requirements of the Food Act 2001, the Food Regulation ACT 2002 and the Australia New Zealand Standards Code. This may include the option of a Food Safety program for providing food to vulnerable groups.

You can discuss your food safety obligations with our public health officers on 02 6205 1700.

Health care facility licensees must ensure all food provided is consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Australians.

Health care facility licensees must ensure all linen used is cleaned in accordance with Australian Standards. You can purchase Standards from SAI Global.

Clinical wastes arise from the treatment and care of patients. They include hypodermic needles, scalpels, tissue and fluid specimens, drugs and pharmaceuticals and materials that have been in contact with these substances.

Health care facility licensees must comply with the Clinical Waste Act 1990 and the Clinical Waste Manual 1991. These documents detail the requirements about the storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of clinical waste. This includes the engagement of an approved entity for the removal of clinical waste from a facility.

ACT Health encourages you to familiarise yourself with the relevant ACT legislation including:

• Children and Young People Act 2008
• Clinical Waste 1990
• Food Act 2001
• Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997
• Medical Treatment (Health Directions) Act 2006
• Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008
• Radiation Protection Act 2006
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011

You can find all legislations on the ACT Legislation website.

The Health Protection Service is responsible for food safety in the ACT.

We manage food businesses, develop food regulations and policies and provide advice and information for food businesses and the community.

ACT Food Safety Laws

There are various legal obligations you need to be aware of when preparing and selling food. These obligations are set out in the following pieces of food law in the ACT:

• Food Act 2001
• Food Regulation 2002
• Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code

Some community organisations are not covered by the Food Act 2001 and are instead regulated by the Public Health Act 1997.

Please contact us to speak with one of our Public Health Officers about food-related complaints or concerns, or for advice on food business regulation and safety and hygiene requirements on 02 6205 1700 or email hps@act.gov.au

Our office hours are 9am to 4:30pm on weekdays.

We are located at 25 Mulley Street, Holder ACT 2611.

You can contact us on 02 6205 1700 or hps@act.gov.au

Postal Address: Locked Bag 5005, Weston Creek ACT 2611. Our Fax number is 02 6205 1705

If you require after-hours assistance, please call 02 9962 8612.