AMA Victoria regularly receives updates from government departments and agencies on matters that may be of interest to members. A selection of recent updates is provided below.

 

Release of Victoria’s Critical Care Service Capability Framework

The Department of Health has released Victoria’s Critical Care Service Capability Framework.

The framework defines the minimum standards and capability levels for adult and paediatric critical care services provided by Victorian public health services. It establishes four levels, from Level 3 to Level 6, according to the complexity of care a health service site can safely and sustainably provide. Adult and paediatric capabilities are assessed separately.

Health service sites that provide continuous critical care services should assess their capability against the framework. This is intended to support local service planning, clinical governance, partnerships, referral and escalation pathways, and greater statewide transparency about critical care capability.

The Department will provide health services with a self assessment tool and hold a webinar on the framework in October.

The Department advises that the release of the framework does not itself change ICU funding, access to critical care services, or nursing ratios.

The framework and supporting resources can be accessed at https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-system-design-planning/critical-care-service-capability-framework.

See also: Critical Care Service Capability Framework - Frequently asked questions

 

Feedback on medical confirmation form for life support users.

Late last year, AMA Victoria provided feedback to the Essential Services Commission on its broader package of proposed changes to the life support requirements.

The ESC is now seeking medical practitioner feedback on the specific draft medical confirmation form intended for use across all energy retailers. The form can be found here.

The ESC is particularly interested in three areas:

  • Medical Practitioner Declaration: Are any of the questions difficult to answer? Does anything require further information or explanation? What would make the form easier for medical practitioners to complete consistently?

  • Energy type: How would you complete this section? Is more information needed to determine whether electricity, gas, or both should be selected?

  • Prioritising support during prolonged energy interruptions: Is the question in the draft form or the following alternative clearer and easier to complete?

The alternative wording is:

“All patients who use any of the equipment listed above are eligible to be on the life support register.

Your response to this question will not prevent your patient’s home from being registered for life support.

Answers to this question will only be used to help prioritise support during prolonged energy interruptions.

Would your patient be at high likelihood of death or permanent injury if their life support equipment did not have energy during a prolonged interruption of more than 24 hours? Yes or no.”

If members wish to provide feedback, could this please be sent to LewisH@amavic.com.au by Sunday 13 September.

 

WorkSafe updates for members

Health and Safety Month

WorkSafe’s Health and Safety Month will run throughout October, with free events across Victoria and a week of online webinars.

Events for healthcare providers include sessions on “My patient has been off work for a year. How do I best support them?” at Werribee on Friday 9 October and Dandenong on Thursday 22 October. An online webinar on the same topic will also be available.

The full program and registration details are available at: Health and Safety Month 2026 Events | WorkSafe Victoria.


Return to Work Innovation Trials

WorkSafe has launched its Return to Work Innovation Trials program. Grants of up to $1.25 million are available to organisations working together to develop, test, evaluate, and expand new approaches to recovery and return to work challenges.

Applications open on 5 October. Program guidelines, the application form, frequently asked questions, and further information are available at: Return to Work Innovations: Trials | WorkSafe Victoria.