Commonwealth Numbered Acts

HEARING SERVICES ACT 1991 No. 169 of 1991 - SECT 8

8.(1) The Authority has the following functions:

   (a)  to provide hearing services to eligible persons;

   (b)  to carry out research and development (including co-operative research
        with other institutions) into:

   (i)  assessment of hearing; and

   (ii) hearing aids and procedures for fitting hearing aids; and

   (iii) hearing rehabilitation; and

   (iv) hearing loss prevention; and

   (v)  the effects of noise on the community;

   (c)  to enter into arrangements for research, design and development of
        hearing products and hearing services;

   (d)  to enter into arrangements for supply of hearing products and hearing
        services;

   (e)  to provide, as appropriate, for the training and education of persons
        or bodies (including overseas bodies) providing hearing services;

   (f)  to provide advice on, and to conduct public education programs in
        relation to, hearing services provided by the Authority;

   (g)  to develop standards in relation to:

   (i)  hearing products; and

   (ii) the provision of hearing services; and

   (iii) noise levels in the community that are acceptable in connection with
        the prevention of hearing loss;

   (h)  to provide consultancy services relating to any of the matters
        referred to in this subsection;

   (i)  to promote the establishment of export markets for Australian hearing
        products and hearing services;

   (j)  to operate special acoustic facilities for acoustic measurement and
        research;

   (k)  such other functions as are conferred on the Authority by this Act;

   (l)  any functions incidental to any of the foregoing functions.

(2) The Authority may perform its functions only so far as they are not in
excess of the functions that may be conferred on it by virtue of:

   (a)  any of the legislative powers of the Parliament; or

   (b)  any functions that are conferred, or expressed to be conferred, on the
        Authority by any law of a State or Territory.

(3) The Authority must, so far as is practicable, perform its functions in a
manner consistent with any principles, objectives and guidelines formulated
under section 5 of the Disability Services Act 1986.