Pilot of the NSQHS Standards (third edition)
We are inviting expressions of interest from health services to take part in a national pilot of the draft National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (third edition).
Expression of interest now open
Expressions of interest (EOIs) are open to accredited health services, until Friday 20 November 2026.
We encourage you to read the Pilot Overview to understand what is involved.
Completing an EOI is not a commitment to participate and does not guarantee selection.
About the pilot
Each edition of the NSQHS Standards has been tested with health services before being finalised. The pilot will test the draft of the third edition with approximately 140 health services between February and June 2027.
Participating health services will gain early exposure to the proposed NSQHS Standards (third edition), helping them understand potential future requirements and identify implementation considerations.
The pilot tests the NSQHS Standards (third edition), not the performance of participating services and it will not affect the health services’ accreditation status. Individual results are confidential, and findings will be aggregated and de-identified for reporting.
Findings will inform the next draft of the NSQHS Standards (third edition), the resources that support implementation, and the design of the assessment model.
Who can take part
Expressions of interest are open to health services that hold current accreditation to the NSQHS Standards.
Services with interim accreditation, undergoing mandatory re-assessment or whose accreditation expires in 2027 are not eligible to participate.
We are seeking a pilot group that reflects the diversity of accredited settings including day, public and private hospitals, multi-purpose services and ambulance services across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote locations. Health services that conduct clinical research are encouraged to express interest.
How to take part
Health services nominate their preferred level of participation when they express interest:
| Level 1 - Self-assessment and survey | Work through the NSQHS Standards (third edition) and the self-assessment tool for your own use, and provide feedback through a survey |
|---|---|
| Level 2 - Self-assessment | Complete a self-assessment against the NSQHS Standards (third edition) and receive feedback from the Commission |
| Level 3 - Desktop assessment | Complete a self-assessment against the NSQHS Standards (third edition) with supporting evidence and participate in an external desktop assessment and receive a report from an accrediting agency |
The Pilot Overview explains what each level involves, the indicative time commitment and how services will be selected.
Key dates
- Expressions of interest: 12 October 2026 until 20 November 2026
- Services notified of outcomes: December 2026
- Pilot activities: February to June 2027
More information
For more information you can email our team or reach out to our Advice Centre.