Terms and Conditions
1. Service Overview
- Hearing services may be provided to private clients and to eligible clients through the Australian Government Hearing Services Program (HSP).
- HSP-funded services are subject to program eligibility, voucher requirements, program rules, and approved items.
- Private services are provided outside HSP funding and may involve fees payable by the client or another approved funding source.
2. Services Available
- Clients may receive hearing assessment, fitting, review, rehabilitation, repair, maintenance, counselling, or other hearing-related services depending on clinical need and funding arrangements.
- HSP clients may be eligible for fully subsidised services and devices where these are available under program rules.
- Private clients, or clients choosing services or devices outside HSP funding, will be advised of applicable fees before agreeing to proceed.
3. Client Costs
- For HSP clients, fully subsidised devices are provided at no cost, except for maintenance co- payments where applicable.
- Partially subsidised devices, private services, optional accessories, and services outside HSP funding may require a client contribution or private payment.
- Private clients will be informed of consultation fees, device costs, repair or maintenance costs, optional accessories, ongoing service costs, and any other relevant charges before agreeing to proceed.
- Any out-of-pocket costs, client contributions, maintenance payments, optional accessories, private services, or items not funded by a program or third party will be explained before the client agrees to proceed.
- We will provide clients with clear, accurate, current, and non-misleading information about prices, funding arrangements, subsidies, client contributions, and any out-of-pocket costs before the client agrees to proceed.
4. Client Choice and Rights
- Clients have the right to choose their service provider, subject to any relevant funding, referral, or program requirements.
- HSP clients can choose between fully subsidised and partially subsidised devices where clinically appropriate and available under program rules.
- HSP clients can find further information about their rights and responsibilities, including choice of provider, on the Australian Government Hearing Services Program website: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/hearing-services-program-client-rights- and-responsibilities?language=en
- Private clients may choose from available services, devices, accessories, and ongoing support options after receiving information about clinical suitability, benefits, limitations, and costs.
- Clients are not obligated to purchase private services, optional accessories, partially subsidised devices, or services outside their funding arrangement.
- Optional or private services will only be provided where the client has been given clear information and has agreed to proceed.
5. Privacy and Information Use
- Personal and clinical information will be collected and managed in accordance with privacy legislation.
- Information may be shared with relevant parties where required or authorised, including funding bodies, government programs, referrers, other providers involved in care, or third parties nominated by the client.
- For HSP clients, information may be shared with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing or another HSP provider where required for program administration, claims, relocation, or transfer of services.
- All records will be securely stored.
- Link: Managing Information Securely | Country Hearing Care
6. Consent to Services
- By providing consent, the client agrees to receive hearing services as explained to them, whether privately funded, HSP-funded, or funded through another arrangement.
- Consent is voluntary. Clients may ask questions, seek clarification, decline optional or private services, or choose another provider.
- The client acknowledges that available services, possible costs, funding arrangements, privacy arrangements, and client rights have been explained in a clear and understandable way before consent is provided.
7. Australian Consumer Law
- Nothing in these terms limits, excludes, or replaces any rights the client may have under the Australian Consumer Law, including consumer guarantees for goods and services.
- Services must be provided with due care and skill, be fit for the purpose made known by the client where applicable, and be supplied within a reasonable time where no timeframe is agreed.
- Any information provided about services, devices, benefits, costs, funding, or client obligations must be accurate, truthful, and not misleading.
- These terms are intended to be read consistently with Australian Consumer Law and general guidance published by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
8. Communication
- The client agrees to be contacted for appointments, follow-ups, reminders, service updates, payment or account matters, and clinical communication via phone, SMS, or email.
9. Complaints and Feedback
- Clients can raise concerns or complaints with the service provider.
- Using the complaints process does not affect any rights the client may have under Australian Consumer Law, privacy legislation, HSP requirements, or other applicable laws.
- Clients may also seek information from relevant consumer protection agencies, including the ACCC or their state or territory consumer affairs body.
- HSP clients may contact the Hearing Services Program Administrator where the matter relates to HSP services.
- Email us: admin@chcare.com.au
