Commonwealth HACC Program
2013 Commonwealth HACC Funding Round
Invitation to Apply (ITA)
ApplicationsMUST be received within the DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND AGEING by
2pm local time, Monday2 September 2013.
LATE OR INCOMPLETE APPLICATION FORMS MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Applicants must provide two unbound, unstapled single-sided copies to the relevant state or territory office tender box. Address details are set out at Appendix C.Applications will not be accepted by email or facsimile.

All enquiries relating to this ITA should be directed in writing to

the contact officer (at ).

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose of the Invitation to Apply (ITA)

The purpose of this ITA document is to provide applicants with advice and guidance about applying for new service delivery funding under the Commonwealth HACC Program through the 2013Commonwealth HACC funding round.

1.2 Structure of the ITA

This ITA is part of the application pack for the 2013 Commonwealth HACC funding round and includes the following sections:

  1. Introduction
  2. About the funding round
  3. The application process
  4. The selection process
  5. How to apply for funding
  • Appendix A – regional priorities
  • Appendix B – Commonwealth HACC special needs groups
  • Appendix C – state and territory office address information

Other documents that form the application pack include the:

  • Application Form Part One – applicant details and claims
  • Application Form Part Two – application for regional priority service types
  • Application Form Part Three – application for service types other than those identified as priorities in each region
  • Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines 2012-2015

There are a number of additional documents that applicants should read and consider when applying, including the:

  • Commonwealth HACC Program Manual
  • Terms and Conditions for aged care funding March2012
  • Community Care Common Standards

These documents are referred to throughout the application pack, including the application forms and can be found on the department’s website – the program manual and terms and conditions ( and the common standards (

2. About the funding round

2.1 Background

As of 1 July 2012 the Australian Government through the Commonwealth HACC program, took on full funding and program responsibility for support services for people 65 years and over (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over) that were previously delivered through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program in all states and territories, excluding Western Australia and Victoria.

The Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelinesprovide an overview of the arrangements for the allocation of funding for the Commonwealth HACC program from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2015. The relevant sections of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines are referenced throughout the application pack to indicate where applicants can find additional information about the program.

2.2 Objectives of the Commonwealth HACC program

The objectives of the Commonwealth HACC program are to:

  • provide a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated range of basic maintenance, support and care services for frail older people and their carers;
  • support these people to be more independent at home and in the community, thereby enhancing their quality of life and/or preventing their admission to long term residential care; and
  • provide flexible, timely services that respond to the needs of these people.

Basic maintenance, support and care services can be described as those which contribute to a person’s well-being. The Commonwealth HACC program operates within a regional framework to respond to the needs of clients and help achieve equitable access to Commonwealth HACC services. The Program encourages flexible service delivery and local responsiveness to meet the needs of individuals and regions.

2.3 Funding Process

The Department of Health and Ageing (the department) is conducting an open competitive process, the 2013 Commonwealth HACC funding round, to allocate growth funding of up to $281.2 million to provide Commonwealth HACC services in early 2014 to June2015.

This funding is predominantly for Commonwealth HACC services types identified as priorities in each region. Service types are defined in section 1.6.1 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines. Regional priority service types are at Appendix A of this ITA.

This funding process is a competitive process and is open to all eligible organisations, including those that do not currently receive Commonwealth HACC funding.The department encourages applications from all prospective service providers who can meet the requirements set out in this ITA and the Commonwealth HACC Program Manual. Applications will be assessed against the selection criteria described in this ITA and the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines.

The Commonwealth HACC program funds service types at the region level. More information about Commonwealth HACC regions can be found at section 3.4 andAppendix G of theCommonwealth HACC Program Manual. Applications are invited from service providers who can deliver services across whole Commonwealth HACC regions or to parts of a region.

2.4 What is the funding available for?

Funding is available for the Commonwealth HACC service types as defined in 1.6.1 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines. Funding will be directed to successful applicants for services identified as regional priorities (Appendix A). Approximately85 per cent of recurrent funding will be directed to these priorities nationally.

The department has undertaken a planning process to identify five regional priority service types for each of the 33 Commonwealth HACC regions in Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory. These priorities have been determined using data from a range of sources including information on the spread of Commonwealth funded community care services and information collected from key stakeholders across the community care sector.

Funding is also available for other Commonwealth HACC service types that are not identified as a regional priority service type. However, applicants will need to demonstrate in the application the need for the service type in the region.Approximately 15 per cent of the recurrent funding will be directed to service types not identified as regional priorities.

Applicants are also able to apply for a limited amount of one-off funding for set-up costs relating tothe establishment of new service delivery activities; systems and operational support; capacity building and assets where these costs relate directly to the delivery of new services. Further information about these costs can be found at section C.1.1 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines.

Applicants can identify if the proposed service will target one or more of the special needs groups. The special needs groups are listed in Appendix B.

Funding for service delivery will be offered to successful applicants from the date of offer until 30June 2015.Funding for set-up costs will only be offered for the 2013-14 financial year.

2.5 What will NOT be funded?

Funding is not available through this round for:

  • services for people under the age of 65 or under 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • capital activities as defined in section 1.6.4 and Attachment D of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines
  • service system development activities as defined in section 1.6.2 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines
  • further funding for outputs already contracted under the Commonwealth HACC program where this does not result in additional service delivery
  • servicesto be delivered in Western Australia and Victoria.

2.6 Who can apply for funding?

All organisations who can meet the requirements set out in this ITA are encouraged to apply. Applicants do not have to be located in the state or region that they are applying for funding, for example service providers located in Western Australia or Victoria are invited to apply to deliver services in regions currently covered by the Commonwealth HACC program.

Applicants are eligible to apply for funding if they are an incorporated entity. For more information refer to section 4.2.1 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines. An incorporated entity includes:

  • incorporated associations
  • incorporated cooperatives
  • companies
  • Aboriginal corporations
  • organisations established through a specific piece of Commonwealth or state or territory legislation
  • trustees on behalf of a trust
  • Australian local governments
  • Australian state or territory governments and their entities

Applicants representing a group of providers are invited to apply. However, the department will not enter into contractual arrangements under the Commonwealth HACC program with a consortium. More information about consortia is in section 1.3.3.1 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines. A lead entity should be identified as the applicant and this entity should submit the application for funding.Applications on behalf of consortia will be assessed against the same criteria as set out in this ITA.

2.7Responsibilities of applicants

Section 3 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines outlines the responsibilities of applicants applying for funding in funding processes. Applicants are advised to read this section carefully.

Of particular note is that successful applicants will be required to sign a funding agreement with the Commonwealth, represented by the department, before any funding is paid. There are two parts to the funding agreement:

  • Terms and Conditions for aged care funding March2012
  • Program Schedule for Aged Care Funding (the Schedule)

The funding associated with the Schedule will be paid in quarterly instalments.

Successful applicants will have details of their activities posted on the department’s website as part of the department’s legislative reporting obligations.

Successful applicants are responsible to ensure that:

  • the terms and conditions of the funding agreement are met
  • funding is used and managed in accordance with the funding agreement
  • the delivery of services is effective, efficient and appropriately targeted
  • the highest standards of duty of care are applied
  • the proposal is delivered in line with, and complies with the requirements as set out within all state and territory and Commonwealth legislation and regulations
  • they have sufficient insurance in place to cover all of their contractual obligations

3. The Application Process

3.1 Timeframes for the application process

The department anticipates that it will recommend successful funding applicants and make offers of funding for service delivery to commence inearly 2014. The department will not notify unsuccessful applicants until it has executed the funding agreements with the successful applicants.

3.2Late applications

It is your organisation’s responsibility as the applicant to ensure that the application is submitted in time for it to be received by the department by the closing date and time. Further information on late applications is provided at section 3.1.8 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines.

3.3 Content of applications

You are responsible to ensure that your application is completed accurately. You may not alter the substance of your application following its submission without the approval of the department. If a change in circumstances occurs that would prevent your organisation delivering services as described in your application, you should notify the department in writing to the contact officer ().

The department may seek information from you to clarify any aspect of your application, but it is not required to do so.

Applicants must meet compliance and eligibility criteria (see 4.1). Applicants must submit the application in English, failure to do so will result in the department ruling the applicant as non-compliant.

The department will only accept attachments that have been asked for in the application.

4. The SelectionProcess

4.1 Assessment criteria

The selection criteria and the weightings are set out in section 4 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines. For the purposes of this ITA, applications will be assessed against the following criteria. These criteria and the sub-criteria are referenced in the relevant sections of the application form.

4.1.1 Mandatory criteria

For the purposes of this ITA the compliance criteria and eligibility criteria are mandatory. Applications will be assessed against these criteria and treated as set out in section 5.4 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines.

Compliance criteria / A compliant application is one that:
  • has been submitted using the approved application forms to a state or territory office and is not late
  • is in English
  • is complete
  • correctly uses the Part Three application form for service types not identified as regional priorities
  • complies with the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines and the application kit

Eligibility criteria / An eligible application is one that:
  • has been submitted by an incorporated organisation
  • is in scope of the Commonwealth HACC service types as defined in 1.6.1 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines.

4.1.2 Assessment criteria

For the purposes of this ITA, applications will be assessed against the following assessment criteria. Applicants are advised to keep within the prescribed word limits identified for each question in the application. Words in excess of the word limits will not be assessed and this may affect the scores against the related criteria.

Assessment criteria / 1. Appropriateness of the proposal to the objectives of the activity under the Commonwealth HACC Program
1.1 proposal is clearly defined and described, and is evidence-informed
1.2 community affected by the proposal is addressed
1.3 outcomes for the proposal are clearly described and the proposal includes ongoing assessment of those outcomes
Criterion1 has a possible score of 15
2. Potential for the proposal to meet the objectives of the activity under the Commonwealth HACC Program
2.1 proposal is suitably planned and scoped
2.2 if a new service, implementation is addressed
2.3 links with the community addressed
Criterion 2 has a possible score of 10
3.The need for the proposal to be carried out
NOTE: this criterion is only applicable for applications for service types that are not identified as a regional priority.
3.1 demonstrates and provides evidence of the need
3.2 demonstrates how proposal will address the need
Criterion 3 has a possible score of 20
4. Governance, expertise and capacity of the applicant to meet the objectives of the activity under the Commonwealth HACC Program and/or other relevant programs
4.1 demonstrates management expertise, skill, qualifications and experience
4.2 demonstrates staff skill levels, qualifications and experience
4.3 demonstrates capability to meet specific program requirements (e.g., complaints and quality)
4.4 demonstrates capability to meet general obligations under the contractual arrangement (e.g., reporting and financial management)
Criterion 4 has a possible score of 10
5. The applicant’s proven track record in meeting the objectives of the activity under the Commonwealth HACC Program and/or other relevant programs
5.1 departmental assessment and rating of track record
Criterion 5 has a possible score of 20
6.1 How the applicant will ensure its long-term financial and organisational viability.
Criterion 6.1 has a possible score of 5

4.1.3 Overarching criterion

In assessing each application, the department will also consider the outcomes proposed for the amount of funding sought.This is referred to as a consideration of value for money and is detailed onpage 45 and in section 5.6 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines.

Applicants should be aware that, as value for money is an overarching criterion, its assessment can seriously impact the overall outcome of the assessment process for the 2013 Commonwealth HACC funding round.

In considering value for money for this funding round, the department will take into account the five components of this overarching criterion, set out below. The overall score for any proposal will be increased by a factor relevant to each of the components demonstrated by that proposal.

Overarching criterion / Value for money, the efficient and effective use of funding that is consistent with the objectives of the Commonwealth HACC program
1. The relative merit of the proposal.
This component relates to the proposal’s assessment against the assessment criteria.
2. The relative cost of the proposal.
This component relates to the total amount of funding sought for the proposal, and may be inclusive of any set-up costs sought.
3. The geographic location of the proposal.
This component relates to the Australian Statistical Geography Standard, the Australian Standard Geographical Classification or other indicator of the location of the service.
4. Community that will benefit from the proposal has poor access to Commonwealth HACC and/or other aged care services.
This component relates to the extent to which the application demonstrates that the community affected by the proposal has poor access to Commonwealth HACC and/or other aged care services.
5. Community that will benefit from the proposal has high levels,or high anticipated growth, of the target population or of a special needs group.
This component relates to the extent to which the application demonstrates that the community affected by the proposal has high levels, or high anticipated population growth, of the target population or of a special needs group.

4.2 Waivers and non-assessment of criteria

For the purposes of this ITA two assessment criteria have been waived or partially waived. These waivers are in line with 4.3.1 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines and include:

  • Criterion 6.2–independent financial viability assessment. This criterion has been waived for all applications.
  • Criterion 3 –need for the proposal to be carried out. This criterionhas only been waived for applications for regional priority service types (Part Two application form). For applications for service types not identified as regional priorities, this criterion will be addressed in Part Three question 3D.

Criterion 5 will not be assessed for applicants who are not current Commonwealth aged care service providers. This criterion will be treated as set out in section 5.5.2 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines. For the purposes of this ITA, current Commonwealth aged care service providers are those that have a current funding arrangement with the Commonwealth Government, specifically:

  • as an approved provider under the Aged Care Act 1997
  • a current funding agreement to deliver services under the Commonwealth HACC program, National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP),Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) and Day Therapy Centres (DTCs).

For current Commonwealth aged care service providers, criterion 5 will be assessed using information held by the department relating to the applicants performance under their current Commonwealth aged care funding agreement. The rating scale that will be used is set out in section 4table 2 of the Commonwealth HACC Program Guidelines.