13Issuing a voucher

13 Issuing a voucher

(1) The Minister may issue a voucher to the applicant only if: (a) the applicant is an eligible person; and (b) the application was made in the approved form; and (c) the application form was properly completed.

Note: In administering this Part, the Minister is also required to have regard to the limited resources available to provide services and programs under the Act, and also the need to consider equity and merit in accessing the resources: see Act, subsection 8(1).

Note: A decision refusing to issue a voucher is subject to reconsideration by the Minister and review by the Administrative Review Tribunal: see Act, sections 29 and 35.

(2) A voucher is issued when an application for a voucher is approved in the Hearing Services Online Portal and the voucher‑holder is issued with a new voucher number. Validity (3) A voucher is valid for 5 years from the date of issue, subject to subsections (5) and (6). (5) If the Minister considers it reasonable having regard to the general criteria set out in subsection 8(1) of the Act, the Minister may cease a voucher within the 5 year validity period. If the Minister does so, the voucher ceases on the day specified by the Minister.

Note: A decision to cease a voucher is subject to reconsideration by the Minister and review by the Administrative Review Tribunal: see Act, sections 29 and 35.

(6) If the voucher‑holder is an NDIS participant and supports substantially equivalent to available hearing services are included as part of their NDIS plan, the voucher ceases on the day that the NDIS participant has the supports included as part of their NDIS plan.