The Minimum Data Set Data is a regular collection of information about clients and the services they received. There are two MDS data collections; HACC (Home and Community Care) MDS and Disability Services (DS) MDS.

The HACC MDS is a collection of data about HACC clients (such as their age and living arrangements) and the amount and types of assistance being provided to them through the HACC Program.

The DS MDS replaces the previous Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement Minimum Data Set (CSTDA MDS), which changed from 1 January 2009 with the new National Disability Agreement (NDA). The DS MDS also gathers data centred on the service user and their experiences including the amounts and types of services they receive.

The two MDS data collections have a great deal in common, both MDS data collections have a set of nationally significant data items or pieces of information that are collected in all Australian jurisdictions and both have an agreed electronic method of collection and transmission. 

Critical dates

HACC and disability reports are submitted electronically four times a year according to the schedule below.

How to collect and submit your report

To collect client data and submit your MDS report, Service Providers are able to use their own software. However, if you don’t have your own, ADHC provides and supports users of HADS (HACC and Disability Services) software.

• HADS Quick Reference Guide for Disability funded service providers
• HADS Quick Reference Guide for HACC funded service providers
• Download HADS software V2.1.0e with user manual by Dancrai (ZIP, 23MB)
  NOTE: If you experience any difficulty downloading and opening this ZIP file, please retry with a different web browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
• HADS 2.1.0e Transition information (PDF)
• HADS 2.1.0e Installation and migration (PDF)

Help with data definitions

For accurate MDS reporting please read the relevant section for your service in the appropriate data guide.

• Disability Services Data Items and Definitions 2011 – 2012 (PDF)
• HACC MDS Data Guide 2012 - 2013 (PDF)

Training

• Online Training, Tutorials and Survey
• MDS training DVD – order form (PDF)

This FAQ fact sheet may also help:

• Disability FAQ's (PDF)

Newsletters

Find out the latest news and information about submitting MDS reports. You will also find answers to questions asked during training sessions.

• MDS Newsletter - February 2013 (PDF)
  
• MDS Newsletter - October 2012 (PDF)
  
• MDS Newsletter - July 2012 (PDF)
  
• MDS Newsletter - April 2012 (PDF)
  
• MDS Newsletter - January 2012 (PDF)

Client information and privacy

Clients are not identified in MDS reports. To inform clients about what information is collected and why and how their privacy is protected, we have produced MDS privacy information in English and other languages:

• MDS and privacy - English (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Arabic (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Chinese Simplified (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Chinese Traditional (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Croatian (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Dutch (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Filipino (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - French (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - German (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Greek (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Hindi (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Hungarian (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Indonesian (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Italian (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Japanese (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Khmer (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Korean (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Macedonian (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Maltese (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Polish (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Serbian (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Spanish (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Turkish (PDF)
• MDS and privacy - Vietnamese (PDF)

What happens to the data

The data collected:

• Helps clients and families by providing better information about service accessibility, appropriateness, efficiency and efficacy
• Helps service providers by providing better data for review and service delivery planning and improving internal management
• Is used by program managers with policy development, strategic planning and performance monitoring.
• Is used by the Australian Government to compare NSW to other jurisdictions
• Is used by NSW with the preparation of funding submissions and negotiations

Helpdesk

HACC MDS Helpdesk
Phone: 1 800 804 135
Email: mdssupport@facs.nsw.gov.au

Disability Services MDS Helpdesk
Phone: 1 800 643 925
Email: cstdamds@facs.nsw.gov.au