Our role
We advise the federal health minister on applications for public funding of health services and technologies. As part of the MSAC process, we:
- receive applications to fund new services or technologies, or amend services or technologies that already receive funding – see what we assess
- assess the comparative safety, clinical and cost effectiveness, and total cost of the new or amended service or technology
- base our assessments on the best available evidence
- advise the federal health minister on which applications to support.
This includes applications that have been:
- submitted by commercial organisations, professional groups or individuals
- referred to us by the government or other committees and groups.
To find out:
- how we assess applications, see our health technology assessment (HTA) framework
- more about our role, view our terms of reference
- what we are currently assessing, view the current applications.
Most of the applications we receive are for funding through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).
Why our role is important
The Australian Government cannot financially support every new service or technology that comes onto the market. We help to ensure public funding goes to those that are clinically effective and value for money.
Public funding reduces the cost of these services and technologies to individuals, which means more people can access them.
How we carry out our role
We receive support from our subcommittees, the MSAC Executive, working groups, invited experts and our secretariat. We also:
- receive advice on funding programs from the relevant policy teams
- receive support from health technology assessment (HTA) groups
- seek consultation input from stakeholders – interested organisations and individuals.
Subcommittees
We have 2 standing subcommittees with experts in clinical medicine, health economics, consumer matters and related areas. They help us to review applications:
- The PICO Advisory Subcommittee (PASC) oversees the development of PICO confirmation documents.
- The Evaluation Subcommittee (ESC) reviews the clinical evidence and economic and financial evaluations in assessment reports.
MSAC Executive
The MSAC Executive progresses our work between formal meetings.
Working groups and invited experts
If needed, we and our subcommittees:
- form working groups to address certain topics, such as new and emerging technologies or highly specialised products
- invite experts to provide advice.
Our secretariat
The Office of Health Technology Assessment in the Department of Health and Aged Care provides us with secretariat support. This includes scheduling meetings and helping applicants with the application process.
Policy teams
The relevant policy teams in the Department of Health and Aged Care and other government agencies:
- advise us on the funding programs they are responsible for, such as the Medicare Benefits Schedule
- implement our advice, if accepted by government.
HTA groups
Our secretariat contracts HTA groups to help us assess applications. These groups of HTA experts can be from universities, professional bodies, private consultants or other health agencies.
They prepare documents such as PICO confirmations, assessment reports and commentaries. We (and our subcommittees) consider these documents as part of the MSAC process.
Stakeholders
Our secretariat organises consultation for the applications we receive. Everyone can take part, including individuals, organisations, consumers, carers and health professionals.
Input from stakeholders helps us provide advice that reflects the needs and values of the community. Find out more about consultation and how you can take part.
Terms of reference
Find out more about our and our subcommittees’ role and functions:
- MSAC terms of reference
- PASC terms of reference
- ESC terms of reference
- MSAC Executive terms of reference
What we do not do
We do not:
- make funding decisions. The relevant government agencies, committees or ministers are responsible for deciding funding for health services and technologies. Our advice informs these decisions.
- implement government decisions to accept our funding advice. The policy team responsible for the relevant funding program implements accepted advice.
- make changes to the MBS schedule or other funding programs. We only assess applications that are eligible for those funding programs and provide advice. The relevant policy team implements accepted advice.
- initiate assessments of new health services or technologies. We can only assess them if we receive an application or referral.
- assess applications if there is no potential source of funding. Find out more about funding sources.
Contact
