Healthcare facility licensing

The Health Protection Service encourages applicants to discuss their fit-out plans and proposed procedures with us. Please call 02 5124 9700 during business hours or email hps@act.gov.au.

An application for a Health Care Facility Activity Licence can be submitted online or in hard copy. Applications must be accompanied by the fee and fit-out plans.

Please send application form and plans:

• online;
• by email hps@act.gov.au;
• by post to Health Protection Service, Locked Bag 5005, Weston Creek, ACT 2611; or
• in person at Health Protection Service, 25 Mulley Street, Holder (during business hours, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm weekdays).

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

If ownership of the facility changes, please submit a Transfer of Ownership form.

Forms:

• Health Care Facility Application Form or online form 
• Health Care Facility Licence Variation Form  or online form
• Transfer of ownership or online form

Please see the table below for licence fees.

Please note: there is a $81 fee for transfer of a licence.

ACT Health follows the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS). 

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 5124 9700.

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 Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate 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 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 5124 9700 or hps@act.gov.au.

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

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

Clinical waste arises from the treatment and care of patients. Clinical waste includes hypodermic needles, scalpels, tissue and fluid specimens, 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 relevant ACT legislation including:

• Public Health Act 1997
• Children and Young People Act 2008
• Clinical Waste Act 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 these Acts and other legislation on the ACT Legislation Register.

Our office hours are 9:00 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays.

You can contact us on 02 5124 9700 or hps@act.gov.au. The fax number is 02 5124 5554.

Health Protection Service is located at 25 Mulley Street, Holder ACT 2611.

The postal address is Locked Bag 5005, Weston Creek ACT 2611.