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).

VicOutreach 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 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.

Indigenous Ear and Eye Surgical Program (EESP) aims to increase access to surgery for Indigenous Australians with diagnosed ear (ages 0-21) and eye (all ages) conditions.

VicOutreach 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.

For the Rural Health, Aboriginal Health and Healthy Ears programs please fill out the appropriate application form and send it to RWAV.

For the VicOutreach Optometrist Scheme and the Ear and Eye Surgical Program contact VicOutreach for more information vicoutreach@rwav.com.au.

Once an application is received, it is first assessed by RWAV to ensure it meets the program priorities.

The application is then submitted to the Commonwealth Department of Health and Human Services for approval. The department will also forward it to the Victorian Advisory Forum (VAF), a statewide stakeholder forum, for endorsement.

Once the application has been considered for approval by the department and for endorsement by the VAF, RWAV is then notified of the outcome and will inform the applicants.

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.

Once an application has been determined successful, RWAV organises a funding agreement, a letter of offer, proposed visit date form and an electronic fund transfer to be sent to the service provider.

Upon completing and returning the documents, RWAV issues the provider with a tax invoice and service report template.

Following the completion of each contracted outreach visit, the provider needs to complete the invoice and submit it to RWAV. Payment is made on a bimonthly basis.