Overview

The Hearing Services (Participants in the Voucher Scheme) Amendment Determination 2000 (No. 1) was enacted to amend the Hearing Services (Participants in the Voucher Scheme) Determination 1997, addressing inconsistencies and errors within the original determination. This amendment was introduced to ensure that the terminology and references within the determination align with the current legislation, specifically the Hearing Services Rules of Conduct. The determination was made by the Commonwealth of Australia and commenced on 1 July 2000. Its policy objective is to streamline and correct the terminology in the determination, ensuring that it accurately reflects the legislative framework on which it is based and removing outdated or erroneous references, thereby maintaining the integrity and functionality of the hearing services voucher scheme.

Scope and Application

The Hearing Services (Participants in the Voucher Scheme) Amendment Determination 2000 (No.1) amends the Hearing Services (Participants in the Voucher Scheme) Determination 1997, and it applies to entities and individuals participating in the voucher scheme for hearing services within the Commonwealth of Australia. The Act specifically affects those entities providing hearing services and the participants in the voucher scheme, ensuring alignment with the Hearing Services Rules of Conduct. The amendments primarily focus on correcting terminology and references to bring the determination in line with the underlying legislation, as well as updating references to ensure consistency with the revised Hearing Services Rules of Conduct. The changes include the removal of outdated references to the Office of Hearing Services and the correction of numbering errors. Additionally, the amendments adjust references from "Manager" to "Minister" and eliminate references to maximum charges for devices not provided free of charge under the Hearing Services Rules of Conduct. The Act commenced on 1 July 2000, and its amendments do not extend beyond what is specified in the instrument itself.

Key Provisions

The Hearing Services (Participants in the Voucher Scheme) Amendment Determination 2000 (No.1) primarily serves to amend the Hearing Services (Participants in the Voucher Scheme) Determination 1997 (sections 2 and 3). This legislative instrument, as stated in section 1, is to be cited as the Hearing Services (Participants in the Voucher Scheme) Amendment Determination 2000 (No.1), and it commences on 1 July 2000 as outlined in section 2. The amendments focus on aligning the terminology within the instrument with the underlying legislation, thereby ensuring consistency and coherence in the language used. The amendments involve changes to definitions and references, primarily removing references to the Office of Hearing Services and updating references to the Minister, which is in line with the latest legislative framework (Schedule 1, amendments 1, 2, 3, and 4). The obligations imposed by this amendment on the parties and entities it governs include updating their records and practices to reflect the new terminology and removing outdated references to the Office of Hearing Services. Service providers must ensure that their operations align with the revised rules and definitions as set out in the amended determination. For instance, providers must no longer refer to maximum charges for the supply of devices that are not provided free of charge, as these references have been removed from the Hearing Services Rules of Conduct (Schedule 1, amendments 5, 6, 7, and 8). The amendment determination does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance. However, non-compliance with such amendments could potentially lead to penalties under the overarching legislation that governs hearing services. For instance, under the Hearing Services Act 1991, there may be civil penalties for non-compliance with rules and regulations related to hearing services. The severity of penalties can vary, but they may include fines or other sanctions, depending on the nature and extent of the breach. Therefore, entities and individuals governed by this amendment should ensure they adhere to the updated provisions to avoid any potential repercussions under the broader legislative framework.