HSQF News and updates

January 2020: Updated HSQF documents

The provisions of the Human Rights Act 2019 come into force for all publically funded entities, including those in-scope of the HSQF, from 1 January 2020. Key HSQF documents have been updated to include new Human Rights Act 2019 requirements as well as other changes

All organisations in-scope of the HSQF should review the Human Services Quality Framework  (PDF, 1.2 MB) Human Services Quality Framework  (DOCX, 2.8 MB) Version 6.0, and Version Control Register and Log of Changes (PDF, 458 KB) Version Control Register and Log of Changes (DOCX, 26 KB)

In addition:

  • Organisations in-scope of Certification should review the updated User Guide Version 6.0, change log and self-assessment workbooks for certification available and make any necessary updates to their policies, procedures and processes in line with timeframes outlined in the communication from the HSQF.
  • Organisations in-scope of Self-Assessment (except those participating in the trial of the online self-assessment system) should review the updated User Guide Version 2.0, change log and self-assessment workbooks for self-assessable organisations available and make any necessary updates to their policies, procedures and processes.
  • Organisations particapating in the trial of the online self-assessment system do not need to refer to the new self-assessment documents as their HSQF requirements are contained within the online self-assessment tool.

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.

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 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.