Health Sector Consultative Committee (HSCC)

Aims of the Committee

The HSCC was formed to further strengthen the relationship between the ACCC and health and medical professionals that developed out of the Wilkinson review. That review examined the impact of the competition provisions (Part IV) of the Trade Practices Act on the recruitment and retention of medical practitioners in rural and regional Australia and identified the need for better communication between the ACCC and the medical profession.

In addition to competition and other ‘business’ trade practices concerns, members of these professions also play an important role in the lives of almost all Australians and the ACCC recognises the value of ongoing and open dialogue with this group.

How the Committee works

Members are invited to discuss and comment on the following:

• areas of concern to their membership (for example, legislative amendments or the business/economic climate);
• emerging industry trends or practices affecting Australian consumers; and
• the information needs of their membership, and strategies for meeting that need.

Current membership

Members of the HSCC comprise representatives of health and medical professional groups, government and consumer organisations. There are currently 12 members of the HSCC. These members are:

1. Australian Dental Association
2. Australian Health Insurance Association
3. Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council
4. Australian Medical Association
5.  Australian Physiotherapy Association
6. Australian Private Hospitals Association
7. Choice
8. Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges
9. Department of Health and Ageing (Commonwealth)
10. National Rural Health Alliance
11. Optometrists Association Australia
12. Pharmacy Guild of Australia