Overview of the framework

The Human Services Quality Framework (HSQF) is the quality assurance framework for assessing and promoting improvement in the quality of human services.

The HSQF applies to:

  • organisations funded to deliver human services under service agreements, or other specified arrangements, with the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors (DCDSS) and the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women (DCSYW) 
  • organisations funded to deliver child protection placement services in-scope of licensing under an Individual Client Service agreement with DCSYW Child Related Costs Placement and Support (CRC-PAS)
  • organisations funded by Queensland Health that have been advised by Queensland Health that they can use HSQF to meet quality requirements.

The Human Services Quality Framework describes how the HSQF applies to in-scope organisations and services.

An updated version of the Quality Framework (PDF, 1.2 MB) Quality Framework (DOCX, 2.8 MB) Version 6.0 commences from 1 January 2020.

The changes incorporated into V6.0 are described in the Quality Framework - Version Control Register and Log of Changes (PDF, 458 KB) Quality Framework - Version Control Register and Log of Changes (DOCX, 26 KB).

The HSQF was developed in collaboration with the non-government sector to maintain important safeguards for people using services while streamlining quality requirements. It incorporates:

  • a set of quality standards, known as the Human Services Quality Standards, which cover the core elements of human service delivery
  • an assessment process to measure the performance of service providers against the standards (assessment occurs at organisation level across all in-scope services)
  • a continuous improvement framework, which supports the participation of people who use services in quality improvement.

The Department of Housing and Public Works has previously implemented a modified version of the HSQF for its Specialist Homelessness Services. The Department of Housing and Public Works website provides further details about how the HSQF is implemented by that department.

Feedback

The HSQF team welcomes feedback about all aspects of the Human Services Quality Framework including HSQF resources and processes. Organisations participating in HSQF quality assessment activities, people using services and certification bodies are encouraged to provide feedback about their experiences of the HSQF quality and safeguards system.

Your feedback helps us to improve HSQF. We appreciate hearing about your positive experiences but also want to understand any challenges or concerns you have. 

You can provide feedback by phoning 1800 034 022 or sending an email to hsqf@communities.qld.gov.au

Further information

Human Services Quality Framework Team
Free call: 1800 034 022
Email: hsqf@communities.qld.gov.au

Download document

Human Services Quality Framework

Version 6.0 was released in January 2020.

Human Services Quality Framework PDF, 1.2 MBHuman Services Quality Framework DOCX, 2.8 MB

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission commenced operation in Queensland on 1 July 2019, replacing Queensland's existing quality and safeguards functions including NDIS provider registration. The Commission is responsible for registering and regulating NDIS providers and overseeing provider quality; and compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards and Code of Conduct. For further information visit the Commission's website.