REMINDER: January - June 2020 reporting period coming to an end
In preparation for the end of the January to June reporting period, it is important all organisations submit their data into the Data Exchange as soon as possible. This allows you to identify and resolve any data entry issues before the 30 July system close (including 30 additional days to submit data after the reporting period ends on 30 June).
We encourage you to start talking about the importance of submitting timely data within your organisation. This is critically important where your organisation doesn’t regularly report or has previously missed a reporting period.
The Data Exchange only considers re-opening the system where the organisation can demonstrate there are exceptional circumstances. Please note, the following circumstances are not considered exceptional:
- delays in obtaining a myGovID;
- staff unavailable to submit/input the data;
- not being aware of reporting requirements; or
- delays caused by a third party vendor.
Tip: The Data Exchange reports reflect the data your organisation has submitted and can help you identify any errors or inconsistencies. We recommend you submit data regularly and use the additional 30 days to check and correct any errors.
Data Exchange Access
Important note: Organisation Administrators can create and manage Data Exchange access for their staff in the web-based portal rather than submitting these requests to the Data Exchange Helpdesk. Go to the Data Exchange Add and edit a user task card for more help.
Advice for Commonwealth Home Support Program Providers: Reporting flexibility provisions in the Data Exchange
On 23 March 2020, the Department of Health relaxed the flexibility provisions for the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) in response to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of this measure, CHSP providers funded to deliver Social Support Group, Centre Based Respite, Cottage Respite, Flexible Respite and Transport were given the opportunity to temporarily re-allocate their funds to support the delivery of activities normally associated with Social Support Individual (Web/Telephone Contact), Domestic Assistance (Unaccompanied Shopping) and Meals. More recently, the Department of Health has agreed to allow CHSP providers with unspent 2019-20 funds to purchase personal and home monitoring devices for clients who would benefit from this service.
To improve reporting accuracy, the Data Exchange has been modified to enable CHSP providers who are normally only funded for services under the Care Relationship and Carer Support Subtype (i.e. respite providers) to also report instances of ‘Social Support Individual (Respite)’, ‘Domestic Assistance (Respite)’, ‘Meals (Respite)’ and ‘Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology (Respite)’. These changes will help improve data quality, provider accountability and inform policy decisions around future priorities and funding allocation. CHSP program specific guidance material will be updated and made available to service providers to assist them in understanding the changes and new reporting requirements. If you have not already done so, you can subscribe to receive updates about the Data Exchange.
These new service types were made available to use in the Data Exchange on 9 June 2020, and can be recorded against sessions from 1 January 2020 as applicable.