Background

The Australian Health Classifications Advisory Committee (AHCAC) was established under the auspices of the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Committee (AHMAC) in 2015. Its primary function is to advise the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) in its work as the Australian Collaborating Centre (ACC) for the World Health Organization’s Family of International Classifications.

AHMAC has subsequently been replaced by the Health Chief Executives Forum (HCEF), which has established the Health Data Collaboration (HDC). HDC, under the direction of HCEF, is now responsible for appointing jurisdictional representatives to AHCAC and to which AHCAC periodically reports.

Terms of reference (last updated February 2026)

  • Provide advice to the AIHW in relation to the ACC work program.
  • Provide advice to the HCEF, through the HDC about the WHO’s work to develop the Family of International Classifications.
  • Provide advice to the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing for Australian inputs on any classification development issues considered by the World Health Assembly.

Membership

The Committee membership will be comprised of the following:

  • Senior representation from:
    • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
    • Australian Bureau of Statistics
    • Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority
    • Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
    • Australian Digital Health Agency
    • Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
    • National Disability Insurance Agency
    • Australian Centre for Disease Control
  • Representatives nominated by HDC
  • A Chair, the CEO of the AIHW

Meetings

Meetings will be biannual, held in person or by videoconference.

Observers with expertise and/or interest in the work of the AIHW as the ACC and related classification work can attend the meetings with approval of the Chair.

Secretariat

The secretariat services for the Committee will be provided by the AIHW.

Contact details

Postal address
AHCAC Secretariat
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
GPO Box 570
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone
+61 2 6244 1000
Email address
[email protected]