6.1 Why are NSW Health funded NGO AODs approved accreditation standards different to the National Quality Framework for Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services accreditation standards?

The NSW Health funded AOD NGOs approved accreditation standards were established in 2018 prior to the National Quality Framework being implemented. The NSW Health approved standards address foundational and minimum standards including safety, clinical and corporate governance, workforce management, and client/care/community engagement. The standards give organisations guidance on how best to establish and maintain these practices and to communicate to funders that the organisation is well operated and sustainable.

The National Framework for Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services, are aimed at covering broader State requirements, such as the Human Services Quality Framework Queensland and Western Australian Network of Alcohol & Other Drug Agencies (WANADA) Alcohol and Other Drug Human Service Standard. The ISO9001 and the RACGP Standards for General Practices does not address specific requirements of operating an organisation or of health and community service delivery. Organisations accredited under the above standards may still apply for Grants by demonstrating active and recent progress towards achieving NSW Health approved standards.

6.2 I understand that you have already stated that the Ministry of Health cannot guarantee indexation of grant funding but is there an expectation that indexation will be available as there is with existing Health grants?

The Ministry of Health cannot guarantee the application of indexation to any current or future NGO grant funding. All future grant funding agreements will include the option to apply indexation if indexation is approved by the relevant NSW Health delegate. Organisations are encouraged to anticipate expenses over the course of the proposed service delivery and funding period.

More information

For further questions and answers, please see:

• Question and answer guide 1 - AOD Treatment Access Expansion Grants
• Question and answer guide 2 - AOD Treatment Access Expansion Grants
• Question and answer guide 3 - AOD Treatment Access Expansion Grants
• Question and answer guide 4 - AOD Treatment Access Expansion Grants
• Question and answer guide 5 - AOD Treatment Access Expansion Grants

To submit further questions not already covered, please email questions to: MOH-CAOD-SCI@health.nsw.gov.au