Consumer engagement and participation means the right to be involved in decision making processes. South Australians want a variety of opportunities to participate in health, which go beyond surveys or consumer representatives.

SA Health is committed to ensuring that consumers, carers and the community have the ability and opportunity to participate in decisions about their health and health services. SA Health wants to make sure:

• you and your healthcare providers are partners in your health care.
• you can ask questions about your care and actively participate in decisions about your health care and health services.
• you can be involved to help us meet your needs and develop safe, quality services.
• you are our partner in planning, implementing and evaluating services.
• you receive culturally responsive health services.

Consumer engagement

SA Health values the contribution consumers and the community can make in improving health services, including service planning, designing care and service measuring and evaluation and are committed to strong consumer and community engagement. The resources below have been developed to ensure there are mechanisms in place to actively engage with consumers and the community in order to meet there needs and developed appropriate services. 

• A framework for active partnership with consumers and the community (PDF 339KB)(opens in a new window)
• Guide for engaging with consumers and the community  (PDF 1MB)(opens in a new window)
• Guide to Engaging with Aboriginal People (PDF 531KB)(opens in a new window)
• Consumer and Community Advisory Committee/Group (CACAC/CAG) Policy Guideline and Toolkit (PDF 1.15MB)(opens in a new window)
• Sitting Fees and Reimbursement for external individuals policy directive (PDF 149KB)(opens in a new window)
• Schedule of sitting fees and reimbursement (PDF 19KB)(opens in a new window)
• Sitting fees agreement Letter template (DOC 88KB)(opens in a new window)
• South Australia’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy 2010-2015 (PDF 178KB)(opens in a new window)

Taxation and Centrelink

Taxation and Centrelink arrangements need to be considered on a case by case basis and in consultation with the relevant Australian Government agency.

Sitting fees may be considered a form of reportable income by Centrelink and the Department of Human Services. The Australian Government Department of Human Services income reporting page(opens in a new window) provides further information.

There may be different tax treatments for sitting fees and reimbursement payments. 

How to get involved

To find out how to get involved in a consumer group in your area, please contact your localConsumer Advisor (PDF 74KB)(opens in a new window) or the Health Consumers Alliance of South Australia(opens in a new window).