1800Respect contract

9th February 2022

Telstra Health secures five-year contract to deliver 1800RESPECT

The Morrison-Joyce Government is pleased to announce Telstra Health as the successful provider to deliver 1800RESPECT – the national family, domestic and sexual violence counselling service, following an extensive open and competitive procurement process.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the new, five-year contract would ensure victim-survivors in the New England would continue to have access to free and confidential counselling support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“The service also provides advice to family, friends and colleagues who want to support someone they know who is experiencing violence,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“We know that victim-survivors come from all walks of life and it is important that we ensure no matter where you live there is support available should you need it.”

Minister for Women said “New technology will be built into the service from July to provide additional options for users including text messages, video calls and follow-ups on referrals with users when safe to do so.

“Following advice from the sector we are making sure the technology improvements support a ‘tell it once’ model of service delivery to minimise the need for users to repeat their story.

“We have also overhauled the funding model for 1800RESPECT, moving away from cost-per-contact to payment on the length of time support is provided so that the service is being funded on the basis of user needs.”

Minister Ruston said through the procurement process, the Government has also responded to Recommendation 54 of the Respect@Work report.

Telstra Health will deliver 1800RESPECT for an initial five years with the possibility of extension, at an estimated contract value of around $200 million – noting the service and funding is demand driven.

Telstra Health will work collaboratively with DV-Connect and other specialist providers including Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and other organisations that support communities who experience barriers in accessing support.

There will be a staged transition process working closely with the incumbent provider Medibank Health Solutions, to ensure there are no breaks in service or impact on service delivery between now and when Telstra Health begins delivery of 1800RESPECT from 1 July 2022.