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Declaration of Quality Assurance Activity under section 124X of the Health Insurance Act 1973 – QAA 3/2017

Declaration of Quality Assurance Activity under section 124X of the Health Insurance Act 1973 – QAA 3/2017

Administered by Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Legislation au F2017L00931 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Select Document

made under section 124X of the

Health Insurance Act 1973

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date: 27 November 2020

Includes amendments up to: F2020L01481

Registered: 17 December 2020

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Declaration of Quality Assurance Activity under section 124X of the Health Insurance Act 1973 – QAA 3/2017 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 27 November 2020 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

PART 1 PRELIMINARY 1

1. Name of Declaration 1

3. Cessation 1

4. Authority 1

6. Declaration of quality assurance activity 1

SCHEDULE 1 2

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes 3

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key 4

Endnote 3—Legislation history 5

Endnote 4—Amendment history 6

Part 1 Preliminary

1. Name of Declaration

This Declaration is the Declaration of Quality Assurance Activity under section 124X of the Health Insurance Act 1973 – QAA 3/2017.

3. Cessation

This Declaration will cease to be in force as if repealed at the end of 5 years after the Declaration is signed.

4. Authority

This Declaration is made under section 124X of the Health Insurance Act 1973.

6. Declaration of quality assurance activity

A quality assurance activity described in Schedule 1 to this Instrument is declared to be a quality assurance activity to which Part VC of the Health Insurance Act 1973 applies.

Schedule 1

1 Title

Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR)

Description:

This declaration applies to the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR).

The AOANJRR collects national data on all patients undergoing hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, hand, foot and spinal disc replacement and includes knee osteotomy procedures where this information is collected in hospitals undertaking these types of surgery.

The AOANJRR includes Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) which include responses to survey questions completed pre and post-surgery regarding outcomes of surgery. PROMs survey questions address the extent of the pain and disability prior to surgery, as well as the extent and timing of recovery and the presence of complications.

Data collected from clinical outcomes and PROMs is analysed to identify factors that result in improved standards in prostheses and surgical techniques as well as improving the benefit and cost effectiveness of those procedures as it relates to patient health status. PROMs data also assists in the design, delivery and funding of health services by aligning clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction with value and efficient, best practice care.

Annual and supplementary reports detailing the results of findings are published on the AOANJRR website. Patients, surgeons, hospitals and other stakeholders have access real-time data specific to them via secure online portals.

The AOANJRR is operated by the Australian Orthopaedic Association, and data management is contracted to the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

ad = added or inserted	o = order(s)
am = amended	Ord = Ordinance
amdt = amendment	orig = original
c = clause(s)	par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
C[x] = Compilation No. x	/sub‑subparagraph(s)
Ch = Chapter(s)	pres = present
def = definition(s)	prev = previous
Dict = Dictionary	(prev…) = previously
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament	Pt = Part(s)
Div = Division(s)	r = regulation(s)/rule(s)
ed = editorial change	reloc = relocated
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have	renum = renumbered
effect	rep = repealed
F = Federal Register of Legislation	rs = repealed and substituted
gaz = gazette	s = section(s)/subsection(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003	Sch = Schedule(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003	Sdiv = Subdivision(s)
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given	SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
effect	SR = Statutory Rules
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment	Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s)
cannot be given effect	SubPt = Subpart(s)
mod = modified/modification	underlining = whole or part not
No. = Number(s)	commenced or to be commenced

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Name	Registration	Commencement	Application, saving and transitional provisions
Declaration of Quality Assurance Activity under section 124X of the Health Insurance Act 1973 – QAA 3/2017	19 July 2017 (F2017L00931)	20 July 2017 (s 2)
Health Insurance (Quality Assurance Activity – Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry) Amendment Declaration 2020	26 Nov 2020 (F2020L01481)	27 Nov 2020 (s 2(1) item 1)	—

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Provision affected	How affected
s 2.....................	rep LA s 48D
s 5.....................	rep LA s 48C
Schedule 1
Schedule 1................	am F2020L01481
Schedule 2................	rep LA s 48C

Overview

The Declaration of Quality Assurance Activity under section 124X of the Health Insurance Act 1973 – QAA 3/2017 is a legislative instrument enacted to address the need for quality assurance and data collection in the field of joint replacement surgeries in Australia. The instrument was made under section 124X of the Health Insurance Act 1973 by the relevant authority and came into effect on 20 July 2017. The policy objective of this declaration is to ensure that the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) operates as a quality assurance activity, collecting and analysing data to improve the standards and outcomes of joint replacement surgeries. This registry is crucial for monitoring patient outcomes, evaluating surgical techniques, and contributing to the efficient and effective delivery of health services. The AOANJRR, as declared in Schedule 1 of the instrument, gathers comprehensive data on patients undergoing various joint replacement procedures and includes patient-reported outcome measures to assess the effectiveness of surgeries. These data are instrumental in identifying factors that enhance prostheses and surgical techniques, thereby improving patient health status and the cost-effectiveness of these procedures. The declaration also ensures that annual and supplementary reports are published, making detailed findings accessible to patients, surgeons, hospitals, and other stakeholders. The registry is operated by the Australian Orthopaedic Association, with data management outsourced to the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, ensuring robust data collection and analysis.

Scope and Application

The Declaration of Quality Assurance Activity under section 124X of the Health Insurance Act 1973 – QAA 3/2017 applies specifically to the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR). This registry is responsible for the collection and analysis of national data on patients undergoing joint replacement surgeries and related procedures. The AOANJRR encompasses patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) which involve pre- and post-surgery surveys that assess pain, disability, recovery, and complications. This data is vital for improving prostheses and surgical techniques, enhancing the cost-effectiveness of these procedures, and aligning clinical outcomes with patient satisfaction and efficient care. The declaration ensures that the AOANJRR is recognised as a quality assurance activity under Part VC of the Health Insurance Act 1973. The Declaration will cease to be in force five years after it is signed. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, as it pertains to the collection and analysis of data across Australia. There are no specific exclusions or exemptions mentioned in the text, and the scope of the Act is primarily defined through its subsidiary instrument, Schedule 1. The Act's application may be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, although such details are not provided in this text.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Declaration of Quality Assurance Activity under section 124X of the Health Insurance Act 1973 – QAA 3/2017 (the "Declaration") pertain to the declaration of the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) as a quality assurance activity under Part VC of the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the "Act"). Section 4 declares the AOANJRR as a quality assurance activity, while Section 16 specifies the authority under which this Declaration is made. Schedule 1 to the Declaration provides a detailed description of the AOANJRR, its functions, and the data it collects, including Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and clinical outcomes. The obligations and requirements imposed by the Act on the parties or entities it governs include the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data related to joint replacement surgeries and procedures. The AOANJRR, as a quality assurance activity, must collect national data on patients undergoing joint replacement surgeries, including hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, hand, foot, and spinal disc replacement, as well as knee osteotomy procedures. The data collected includes information on the extent of pain and disability prior to surgery, the extent and timing of recovery, and the presence of complications. The AOANJRR must also publish annual and supplementary reports detailing the results of findings on its website, and provide real-time data access to patients, surgeons, hospitals, and other stakeholders via secure online portals. The AOANJRR is operated by the Australian Orthopaedic Association, with data management contracted to the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. Breach of the requirements and obligations set out in the Act may result in civil or criminal consequences. The Act does not explicitly state the maximum penalties for breach of its provisions. However, the Health Insurance Act 1973 provides for penalties for contravening certain provisions of the Act, including fines and imprisonment. The specific penalties for breach of the quality assurance activity requirements may be found in the relevant sections of the Act. It is important for parties and entities governed by the Act to ensure compliance with the Act's requirements to avoid potential civil or criminal consequences.

Area of Law: Health Law
Instrument: Legislative Instrument
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations; Regulatory Standards

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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