Standards
By working in partnership with the Australian Government, states and territories, the private sector, clinical experts, and patients and carers, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care aims to ensure that the health system is better informed, supported and organised to deliver safe and high-quality care.
Important note:
The MPS Aged Care Module will be replaced by the Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module with the implementation of the Aged Care Act 2024, on 1 November 2025.
Find out more
- National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
The primary aims of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards are to protect the public from harm and improve the quality of health service provision.
- Clinical Care Standards
In 2013, the Commission established the Clinical Care Standards program to support clinical experts and consumers develop Clinical Care Standards on health conditions that would benefit from a national coordinated approach.
- National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards
The Primary and Community Healthcare Standards are a nationally consistent safety and quality framework that can be used by services delivering health care in primary and/or community settings.
- The National Clinical Trials Governance Framework
The Commission is implementing the National Clinical Trials Governance Framework for the accreditation of health services under the AHSSQA Scheme.
- National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards
The Digital Mental Health Standards describe the required safeguards and level of care for safe and high-quality digital mental health services.
- National Safety and Quality Mental Health Standards for Community Managed Organisations
The National Safety and Quality Mental Health Standards for Community Managed Organisations (NSQMHCMO Standards) will help provide safety and quality assurance for community mental health services users, and best practice guidance for service providers and developers.
- Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards
The Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards provide a safety and quality framework for diagnostic imaging practices.
- Pathology Accreditation Standards
The pathology accreditation standards used in Australia protect the public from harm and ensure consistency in pathology practice.
- National Safety and Quality Cosmetic Surgery Standards
The Commission has supported reforms to the cosmetic surgery sector by developing a National Licensing Framework and National Safety and Quality Cosmetic Surgery Standards for services where cosmetic surgery is performed.
- Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resilience Healthcare Module
The Commission has drafted a framework of actions that health services can use to ensure their services are improving the safety and quality of care while addressing the health impacts of climate change and healthcare’s contribution to climate change.
- Multi-Purpose Services Aged Care Module
Effective until 1 November 2025
The Multi-Purpose Services Aged Care Module (MPS Module) is designed to support eligible providers of the Multi-Purpose Service Program to improve the quality of aged care services.
The MPS Module is superseded by the Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module (IHACS Module) from 1 November 2025.
- Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module
Effective from 1 November 2025
The Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module (IHACS Module) is designed to support eligible providers of integrated health and aged care services to improve the quality of aged care services - including the providers of the Multi-Purpose Service Programme.
The implementation of the IHACS Module aligns with the Aged Care Act 2024 and supersedes the use of the MPS Module from 1 November 2025.
- Aged Care Quality Standards: Standard 5 – Clinical Care
The Commission has developed standards and guidance related to clinical care for aged care providers under the Aged Care Quality Standards. The focus is to protect older people from harm and improve clinical care for people receiving aged care.