HSQF News and updates

July 2019 Quality Framework Supplement for services funded by Queensland Health

A new version of the Human Services Quality Framework Supplement for services funded by Queensland Health v2.0 (PDF, 177 KB) Human Services Quality Framework Supplement for services funded by Queensland Health v2.0 (RTF, 88 KB) (July 2019) is now available. This Supplement contains information for Queensland Health funded organisations delivering Mental Health and Child and Family service types. The listed Mental Health service types update and replace the Mental Health service types contained in the Human Services Quality Framework Version 5.0. The Supplement will apply until the next version of the Human Services Quality Framework is published.

April 2019 : Updated HSQF User Guide - Certification

The HSQF User Guide - Certification Version 5.0 (PDF, 1.7 MB) HSQF User Guide - Certification Version 5.0 (RTF, 1.7 MB) was released in April 2019.

The changes incorporated into Version 5.0 are detailed in the Certification Version Control Register and Log of Changes. The Version Control Register and Log of Changes (PDF, 824 KB) Version Control Register and Log of Changes (RTF, 299 KB) will assist in identifying new/amended requirements in the User Guide - Certification V5.0.

Organisations in-scope of HSQF audits/certification should review the HSQF User Guide - Certification V5.0 and implement new/amended requirements relevant to the services they are delivering in order to demonstrate compliance with the Human Services Quality Standards in audits from 26 July 2019. 

April 2019: Results of survey on the HSQF

In 2018, a survey of organisations new to the Human Services Quality Framework (HSQF) was undertaken to obtain feedback on the effectiveness and implementation of the HSQF and to inform future improvements.

The survey was conducted by the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS), which partners with HSQF to provide a range of supports to organisations implementing HSQF.

Highlights of the positive feedback provided by organisations, as well as the areas for improvement identified in the survey, are outlined in the HSQF 2018 Organisation Survey Highlights (PDF, 161 KB) HSQF 2018 Organisation Survey Highlights (RTF, 52 KB)

A full report on the survey is available on QCOSS' Community Door.

The HSQF team also obtained feedback on HSQF from certification bodies and departmental contract officers in 2018. All of the feedback provided will be used to improve the Human Services Quality Framework and its implementation.

February 2019: New version of the Quality Framework

The Human Services Quality Framework (PDF, 1.3 MB) Human Services Quality Framework (RTF, 1 MB) describes how the HSQF applies to in-scope organisations and services.

An updated version 5.0 was released on 1 February 2019. The changes incorporated into V5.0 are described in the Quality Framework - Version Control Register and Log of Changes (PDF, 824 KB) Quality Framework - Version Control Register and Log of Changes (RTF, 299 KB).

The Human Services Quality Framework (PDF, 1.3 MB) Human Services Quality Framework (RTF, 1 MB) Version 5.0 incorporates information about how HSQF applies to mental health services funded by the Queensland Health and supersedes the Human Services Quality Framework Supplement for Mental Health Services funded by Queensland Health, previously available on this website.

November 2018: Queensland Health funded Organisations

The Human Services Quality Framework is now an available option or some mental health services funded by Queensland Health. Details about Queensland Health's mental health service types have been incorporated into the Human Services Quality Framework (RTF, 1 MB) Version 5.0 superseding the Human Services Quality Framework Supplement for Mental Health Services funded by Queensland Health which was previously published on this website. Note: Queensland Health may, over time, determine that other service streams or service types will be in-scope of the HSQF. If additional services are ended, Queensland Health will advise relevant organisations. Queensland Health funded organisations seeking information about including mental health outlets in future audit processes should contact their certification body. Queensland Health funded organisations with quality requirements other than HSQF should contact Community Services Funding Branch, Department of Health for more information on:

 July 2019: Women's Shelters

From 1 July 2018, women’s shelters and non-accommodation support services for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence are in-scope of the Human Services Quality Framework (HSQF) system for Department of Child Safety Youth and Women (DCSYW) and Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors (DCDSS) providers.

Women’s shelters and non-accommodation support services are funded under DCSYW’s Domestic and Family Violence (Homelessness) program. Services commenced HSQF from 1 July 2018 on signing DCSYW service agreements.

The majority of services are required to demonstrate their compliance with HSQF through certification which includes an onsite audit by an accredited third-party certification body. Onsite audits will be conducted within guidelines that safeguard services’ secure locations.

Existing organisations that are already under HSQF certification for other services will include their women’s shelter/non-accommodation services into their next HSQF audit following commencement, where this timeframe is reasonable.

New organisations have 18 months from the commencement of their DCSYW service agreements to achieve HSQF certification.

One-off financial contributions towards the costs of HSQF audits are available to organisations that meet eligibility criteria.

Guidance and resources to assist women’s shelters and non-accommodation support services to achieve certification and information about financial contributions, including eligibility criteria, are available.

The Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) is available to support services to transition to HSQF. Information about how to request support from QCOSS is available.

Further information is available from your departmental contract officer or the HSQF team on 1800 034 022 or hsqf@communities.qld.gov.au.