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Third edition engagement hub

As the national agency responsible for leading improvements in the safety and quality of health care, the Commission is developing the third edition of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards and is seeking your input.

Public consultation closed

The first public consultation on the NSQHS Standards (third edition) closed on 30 September 2025. The Commission will now analyse the feedback received during the consultation period.

The second consultation to review the draft NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.) is scheduled for 2026.

Overview

As the national agency responsible for leading improvements in the safety and quality of health care, the Commission develops national standards in collaboration with the healthcare system and community representatives.

The National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS Standards) provide a framework for delivering high-quality care with nationally consistent systems across the continuum of care. 

To incorporate new evidence-based practices, emerging evidence and contemporary clinical governance approaches, the Commission is preparing to develop the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.). 

By participating in our consultations, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of the NSQHS Standards.
 

How the NSQHS Standards can help

NSQHS Standards are designed to:

Standards help healthcare organisations establish a clinical governance framework, ensuring that systems are in place to provide high-quality care.

Standards aim to enhance the overall quality of healthcare services through continuous improvement, supported by a cycle of collecting data from regular practice, analysing data to generate new knowledge, and translating that knowledge back into improved practice as part of a learning system.

Standards aim to support health services implement robust systems to prevent harm to patients. This includes areas such as infection prevention, medication safety, managing clinical deterioration, reducing adverse events and building a culture of safety.

The implementation of Standards by health services provide assurance to patients that the organisation is committed to transparency and accountability, clear communication about health care needs and treatment options, respect their rights throughout the healthcare journey and include patients in governance and their own care.

Purpose

The purpose of developing the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.) is to:

  • Engage health service boards, leadership and clinical teams on the systems, structures, actions and improvements needed to provide high-quality care
  • Incorporate new and emerging evidence-based practices, and contemporary approaches to clinical governance
  • Strengthen clinical governance at the health service level to create resilient and scalable structures and systems
  • Align and adapt to evolving changes in the healthcare system
  • Develop and mature health service organisations to become high performing learning organisations that focus on outcomes and impact
  • Evolve the actions to improve cultural safety and eliminate racism in health care
  • Drive greater integration of care.
     

Timeline

Development of the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.) will commence in 2025 and it is anticipated they will be released in 2028.

  • First public consultation: Opportunities and information gathering on system needs to inform development of the draft NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.)
  • Commence drafting the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.)
  • Commence scoping for Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS)
  • Second public consultation: Seek feedback on the draft NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.)
  • Draft Consultation-RIS
  • Pilot of the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.) in select health service organisations
  • Third public consultation: Seek feedback on Consultation-RIS
  • Seek Ministerial approval for the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.)
  • Publish Decision-RIS
  • Launch NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.)
  • Fourth public consultation: Detailed consultation to inform development of NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.) implementation resources

Continued consultation, development and release of NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.) implementation resources

Health service organisations commence assessment to the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.)

Frequently asked questions

The development of the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.) is part of a 10-year review cycle, to ensure they remain effective, evidence-based and responsive to the evolving and emerging needs of our patients and communities. 

The first stage of consultation opened on 9 July 2025 and closed on 30 September 2025. 

The Commission anticipates formally launching the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.) in 2028. Assessment to the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.) is scheduled to commence in 2030.

The Commission is using the following tools to evaluate the standards:

  • targeted consultation with technical experts and key stakeholders
  • literature reviews and environmental scans
  • reviewing health system and accreditation outcome data
  • public consultation with the healthcare sector and consumers.

Keep an eye out for our next open consultation. In the meantime, register for updates via the NSQHS Standards (third edition) subscriber list.

We sought to understand the needs of our health system and consumers, including:

  • key healthcare challenges
  • how to improve quality of care and prioritise patient safety
  • the emerging evidence, new evidence-based practices and approaches to safety and quality
  • how to shift the focus of the NSQHS Standards, to ensure they are integrated, drive outcomes, improve performance and learning
  • the barriers and enablers to implementing the NSQHS Standards and clinical governance
  • the strengths and weaknesses of the current NSQHS Standards

To identify key themes to inform the development of the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.).

The Commission is keen to receive feedback from consumers across Australia, including patients, their carers and families, as well as consumer advocates. 

Keep an eye out for our next open consultation. In the meantime, register for updates via the NSQHS Standards (third edition) subscriber list.

Share a link to our NSQHS Standards Engagement Hub.

Recommend they sign-up to the NSQHS Standards (third edition) subscriber list to receive updates on how to get involved in the consultation process.

Keep an eye out for our next open consultation. In the meantime, register for updates via the NSQHS Standards (third edition) subscriber list.

Share a link to our NSQHS Standards Engagement Hub.

Recommend they sign-up to the NSQHS Standards (third edition) subscriber list to receive updates on how to get involved in the consultation process.

Program governance

The Commission has invited people and organisations with relevant experience and expertise to collaborate on the development of the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.). The Commission’s work is being guided by two Committees.

Overview of committees

Provides strategic oversight.

Members include representatives from the Commission and its standing committees including the Inter-Jurisdictional Committee, Private Hospital Sector Committee and Primary Care Committee.

Provides expert subject matter knowledge and advice on contemporary thinking about national standards and health system improvement.

Members include, government agencies, public and private health service organisations, peak organisations researchers and academics and consumer representatives.

Contact

For questions and to provide feedback on the development of the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.), contact the Safety and Quality Advice Centre.

Stay in touch

Keep up to date with project updates, including consultation information and how you can be involved. 

Sign up to receive updates

Last updated: 29 April 2026