ACCC re-authorises coordinated health provider response to COVID

The ACCC has issued final determinations granting authorisation to the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria (the Various States and Territories) to permit them to continue to coordinate with various health service providers, in order to maximise the effectiveness of their responses to the continued COVID-19 pandemic.

The health departments of the Various States and Territories, including public hospitals and other public healthcare facilities, sought authorisation to allow coordination between themselves and various participating private healthcare providers, with supply by those providers of resources and services to the overall response to COVID-19 coordinated by the Various States and Territories.

Authorisation is granted for 18 months, until 24 June 2023

The ACCC considers the Conduct is likely to result in significant public benefits through the enhanced coordination and improved responsiveness of the Various States and Territories healthcare systems to COVID-19. The ACCC considers that the Conduct is likely to result in some public detriment over the short term because it is likely to reduce competition in the supply of hospital healthcare services to certain patients. However the ACCC considers that the reduction in competition will be limited, not likely to continue in the long term and the public benefit would outweigh any likely detriment to the public from the Conduct.

Further information about the ACCC's decisions in relation to Victoria, Queensland, NSW, ACT, NT and Tasmania is available on the ACCC's public register.

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