Colonoscopy Clinical Care Standard
About 1 million colonoscopies are performed in Australia annually. The Colonoscopy Clinical Care Standard describes the safe, appropriate and high-quality use of colonoscopy. The updated version was released in September 2025.
Download the updated standard
The standard was revised in 2025 following a review of current evidence and consultation with an expert Topic Working Group and key stakeholders.
Launch of the standard
The revised standard was launched on 21 September 2025 alongside the Atlas Focus Report: Colonoscopy at the World Congress of Gastroenterology at Australian Gastroenterology Week conference held in Melbourne.
Find out more on the Colonoscopy Hub
Contents of the standard and resources
The Colonoscopy Clinical Care Standard contains:
- Nine quality statements describing safe and appropriate care
- A set of indicators to support monitoring and quality improvement.
View the complete list of implementation resources or see our targeted information and resources for consumers, clinicians, and healthcare services.
Updates in 2025
The standard was first published in 2018 and has been updated to ensure the quality statements, explanatory information, and indicators align with the current evidence base and practice. While there has been no major change to the recommended guidance for colonoscopy, key updates to the standard include:
- Clarified requirements to improve communication at referral (Quality statement 1)
- The addition of considerations for open access colonoscopy services, including for referral, provision of information and informed consent processes (Quality statement 1)
- Updated information regarding sedation options and discharge supervision (Quality statement 5)
- The addition of photodocumentation as a minimum requirement for the procedure (Quality statement 7)
- Strengthened requirements for ensuring shared, accurate records following colonoscopy, such as use of My Health Record, so that patients are offered appropriate follow-up treatment or surveillance in accordance with evidence-based guidelines. For patients referred through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, report into the National Cancer Screening Register (Quality statement 9)
- Addition of cultural safety and equity considerations
- Amendments to the indicators and the addition of 2 new indicators.
Further information on changes can be found on page 4 of the Standard.
Communication resources
Show your support for the updated Colonoscopy Clinical Care Standard by sharing our resources on your website, social networks or within your health service organisation.
Our communications kit includes newsletter copy and social media graphics to help you share and promote the standard within your networks.
Story of Excellence
Strengthening foundations for auditing and oversight in colonoscopy care
Northern NSW Local Health District (NSW) has been recognised with a 10th Anniversary Clinical Care Standards Excellence Award for their work implementing the Standard.
Background and development of the standard
Contact us
If you have questions about this Clinical Care Standard, please email ccs@safetyandquality.gov.au.
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