The SHS collection, explained.
A plain-English overview of the Specialist Homelessness Services Collection: who reports, the key terms and how data is submitted each month.
General information only. This guide is a plain-English overview, current as at November 2026. It is not legal, compliance or professional advice. Confirm your obligations with your funder and the current official documentation.
What is the SHS collection?
The Specialist Homelessness Services Collection (SHSC) is the national collection of information about people who use specialist homelessness services and the support they receive. It is run by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and has covered services since 1 July 2011.
Who reports?
Agencies funded to deliver specialist homelessness services collect data on an ongoing basis and submit it to the AIHW every month. Your state or territory funding body will confirm which of your programs are in scope.
Key terms
- Client. A person who receives services from a specialist homelessness agency.
- Support period. The time a client receives assistance from an agency. It ends when the relationship ends, when the maximum support is reached, or when no services are provided for a whole calendar month and there is no ongoing relationship.
- Unassisted person. Someone who asks for help that the agency cannot provide. These requests are recorded separately.
How is data submitted?
Many agencies record client information in the Specialist Homelessness Information Platform (SHIP), while others use their own client management systems. Data is then submitted to the AIHW each month.
Where Mimaso fits
Mimaso produces this return from the casework your team already records, alongside the other national, state and funder reports your service lodges.
Book a walkthrough to see it with your own programs.
Frequently asked questions
How often is SHS data submitted?
Monthly. Check your service agreement for any state or territory requirements on top of that.
Do we record people we could not help?
Yes. Requests for assistance that could not be met are recorded as unassisted requests.
When does a support period close?
When the client relationship ends, when maximum support is reached, or after a full calendar month without services and no ongoing relationship.
Sources
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Specialist Homelessness Services Collection overview and SHS Collection Manual.
This guide is general information only and is not legal, compliance or professional advice. Reporting requirements change, so always check the current official documentation and your service agreement. Mimaso accepts no responsibility for any reliance placed on this guide.