If you are looking for information on Outreach, this page includes a series of questions and answers which might be helpful. If you can’t find what you are looking for, please get in touch with us now. or phone 03 9349 7800 (Option 2).
To express your interest in becoming an outreach service provider, click here.
If you are seeking support for a new service to be provided at your organisation, submit your expression of interest here.
Rural Health Outreach Fund (RHOF) priorities include maternal and paediatric health, mental health, chronic disease management and eye health.
The priority for Aboriginal Health funding is for those services supporting the management and treatment of chronic disease (defined as a condition that has been, or is likely to be, present for six months or longer).
Visiting Optometry Scheme (VOS) program aims to provide outreach eye services to people living in rural and regional locations who do not have ready access to primary eye care services and will support optometrists to deliver outreach optometric services to those communities with an identified need.
Healthy Ears – Better Hearing and Better Listening (HEBHBL) aims to increase access to a range of health services including expanded primary health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait children and youth (0–21 years) for the diagnosis, treatment and management of ear and hearing health.
Eye and Ear Surgical Support program (EESS aims to increase access to surgery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples with diagnosed ear (ages 0-21) and eye (all ages) conditions.
RWAV Outreach funding predominantly supports the health professionals providing the outreach services. Some programs also include financial support for patients and carers.
Funding may cover:
- Travel
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Other associated out-of-pocket costs
- Support may also be extended to provide backfill or staff cover for the service providers depending on the program and the provider details.
For more detailed information, please refer to the standards documents for the specific program.
Once an application is received, it is first assessed by RWAV to ensure it meets the relevant program priorities.
The application is then submitted to the Commonwealth Department of Health for approval. The department will also forward it to the Victorian Advisory Forum (VAF), a state-wide stakeholder forum, for endorsement. Following this, RWAV is notified of the outcome and will inform the applicant/s.
Please note: Any applications approved for funding after a program has been fully subscribed will be placed on a reserve list for future consideration. If funds become available throughout the course of the financial year due to cancellations, it may then be activated and applicants will be notified.
If you would like to know more about providing services via Outreach, please contact our Outreach team on 03 9349 7800 (option 2) or email vicoutreach@rwav.com.au.
To request additional visits please lodge a request here.
Once an application has been determined successfully, RWAV organizes a funding agreement, a letter of offer, proposed visit date form and an electronic fund transfer to be sent to the service provider.
Upon the completion of signing and returning of the contract, the service schedule is activated for service provider to carry out services to patients.
Following the completion of each contracted outreach visit, the provider needs to complete a service report and submit it to RWAV via the MyRWAV portal. Payment is made on a bimonthly basis which is 15th and 30th of each month. If these dates fall on a weekend or public holiday the payment is processed on the next business day.
