Hearing Services Panel

⁠⁠⁠WorkSafe Victoria intends to commence a procurement process in mid-January 2024, to establish an updated Hearing Services panel to commence following expiry of existing contracts on 15 June 2024.

Existing contracted Hearing Services suppliers will be required to update their information by submitting a new application when the process opens. The opportunity will be published on www.tenders.vic.gov.au when the application process opens. Details for an online tenderer briefing session will be announced also when the application process opens.

WorkSafe would like to provide current and new suppliers advanced notice of the following new requirements, which will be included in the application process:

Mandatory Requirements

Tenderers must agree to comply with the following mandatory requirements that relate to:

• pleading or being found guilty in connection with improper business practices or an offence pursuant to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) within the past five years,
• having current holders of key management positions who have pleaded or been found guilty of an offence pursuant to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) within the past 5 years or have any impending legal actions for any alleged offences under these acts. Key management positions will include:
• Company Directors
• Chief Executive Officer
• Chief Finance Officer
• Managing Director / Manager of Operations
• Executive Director,
• signing the Supplier Code of Conduct Commitment letter,
• supplying the Fair Jobs Code Pre-Assessment Certificate,
• providing their registration from the Department of Health and Aged Care Hearing Services Program (HSP),
• being compliant with the WorkSafe Clinical Framework and WorkSafe Hearing Services and Devices Policy including the registration requirement for all hearing services providers,
• agreeing to ensure provision of:
• staff only providing services in accordance with their Scope of Practice as an Audiologist or Audiometrist,
• a no gap service to WorkSafe injured workers, and
• certification of ambient noise levels testing and equipment calibration.

Capability

Tenderers are required to demonstrate robust knowledge, experience and skills to deliver the Hearing Services to injured workers.

Proposed Facilities

Tenderers will need to describe how the location of the facility/facilities will be easily accessible for a high proportion of injured workers, including those who may have disabilities or mobility issues.

Tenderers must include the following:

• Clinical equipment
• Amenities (e.g. Access to hygiene and convenient access to drinking water);
• Emergency procedures
• How the facility meets modern access requirements (e.g. centrality, car parks, proximity to public transport, lifts, ramps, wide doors and hallways, toilets, access paths).

Customer Service & Communication

Tenderers will be required to outline how they will deliver the following:

• Communication with injured workers, and
• Active engagement with WorkSafe’s clinical panel, when necessary.

Requirement to hold a Fair Jobs Code Pre-Assessment Certificate

The Victorian Fair Jobs Code (FJC) will apply to the Hearing Services panel procurement process. The FJC ensures suppliers and businesses applying for Victorian Government contracts are recognised for doing the right thing and putting workers first.

A requirement in Hearing Services panel contracts will therefore be that the supplier holds a Fair Jobs Code Pre-Assessment Certificate. Certificate registration details will be requested during the application process.

Suppliers can commence the process of applying for a FJC Pre-Assessment Certificate here - https://www.buyingfor.vic.gov.au/apply-fair-jobs-code-pre-assessment-certificate

WorkSafe encourages all current Hearing Services contracted suppliers to obtain the certificate at their earliest convenience to avoid any delays.

Briefings

Hearing Services

A briefing session will be held on 30 January 2024 11:00 am.

Notes: The online Tenderer Briefing Session will be held at 11:00am (AEDT) Tuesday 30 January 2024. If you intend to join the Online MS Teams tenderer briefing session, please register by emailing Jason McLaren jason_mclaren@worksafe.vic.gov.au . Please ensure that you have registered prior to entering the Online Microsoft Teams link. Details for joining the Tenderer Briefing Session are within Item 4 of Part A - Conditions of Tender.

Registration closes on 29 January 2024 03:30 pm