Regulatory Policy & Governance Division (RPGD)
This page outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Regulatory Policy and Governance Division (RPGD) of the Department of Health and Ageing.
About the Division
The Regulatory Policy and Governance Division (RPGD) was established in August 2006 to build the capacity for effective governance and the adoption of regulatory best practice across the Health portfolio. It achieves this by working collaboratively with other Portfolio Agencies and Divisions within the Department to respond to changes in governance and regulatory frameworks. It also ensures that eligible people with a hearing impairment receive safe, affordable hearing rehabilitation services and devices.
To achieve this we will:
- advise on the governance arrangements for health portfolio agencies;
- provide policy advice to Government on matters associated with the regulation of food, radiation, gene technology and other emerging technologies, therapeutic goods, including in the context of international trade agreements;
- provide policy advice and strategic direction with respect to the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR), the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), the National Blood Authority (NBA), the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC);
- contribute to the development of policy advice on regulatory interfaces between theraputic goods, food, cosmetics and chemicals;
- provide policy advice and support for consideration of regulatory and ethical issues associated with emerging technologies;
- identify possible responses to proposed changes in governance and regulatory frameworks that have implications for the health portfolio;
- provide advice on safety and quality matters, particularly those relating to development of national accreditiation of healthcare services;
- provide policy advice and support for consideration of intellectual property issues associated with domestic and international regulations in relation to emerging technologies;
- manage the relationship between the Department and Medicare Australia;
- provide advice to program areas to facilitate the process that allows Medicare Australia to administer health and ageing programs;
- manage the Research Capacity Appropriations;
- develop policy advice for the achievement of effective outcomes in relation to negotiations with New Zealand on food and therapeutic goods regulatory reform; and
- contribute to the wider government deregulation agenda, Council of Australian Governments (COAG) policy reforms, and relevant Productivity Commission reviews to reduce regulatory burdens on business.
- administer the Australian Government Hearing Services Program
First Assistant Secretary
Mary McDonaldPh: (02) 6289 8227
Branches
- Blood, Organ and Regulatory Policy Branch
- Governance, Safety and Quality Branch
- Research, Regulation and Food Branch
- Office of Hearing Services
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