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
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Who can express interest in the pilot?
Expressions of interest are open to health services that hold accreditation to the NSQHS Standards. Services with interim accreditation, undergoing mandatory reassessment, or whose accreditation expires in 2027 are not eligible under the published criteria. However, we still recommend that interested services complete the EOI form so their interest can inform future engagement opportunities. Selection will consider service type, size, location, jurisdiction, scope of services and accreditation history.
Can a service that is working towards accreditation participate?
Under the published eligibility criteria, a service is to hold current accreditation to the NSQHS Standards. Services that are working towards accreditation, are generally not eligible. However, we recommend that these services complete the EOI form so their interest can be captured, final decisions will be made during the selection process.
Will participating health services have to pay for an accrediting agency assessment?
For Level 3, the Commission will engage and fund the accrediting agency desktop assessment. Levels 1 and 2 do not include an external accrediting agency assessment. Health services should consider the internal staff time and resources required to complete their selected activities.
Will the pilot overlap with an accreditation assessment or affect accreditation status?
The pilot is not an accreditation assessment and will not affect a participating health service's accreditation status. The timing of the next accreditation assessment will be considered during selection so participation in the pilot does not overlap with an assessment. Participating health services will also be exempt from short-notice assessments for the duration of the pilot.
What are the three levels of participation?
| Level 1 | Work through the draft Standards and self-assessment tool for your own use, then complete a structured survey |
|---|---|
| Level 2 | Complete and submit a self-assessment and receive Commission feedback |
| Level 3 | Complete a self-assessment with evidence, undergo a Commission-funded desktop assessment by an accrediting agency, receive a report |
Will individual pilot results be published or shared?
No. Individual health service results will be kept confidential. The Commission will not publish an individual health service's performance; findings will be aggregated and de-identified for reporting.
What tools and support will participants receive?
Participants will receive the draft Standards and a self-assessment tool. The Commission will provide orientation, regular check-ins and email updates. Levels 2 and 3 also receive feedback on their self-assessment or desktop assessment. Feedback from the pilot will inform future implementation resources.
Can a health service pilot only one Standard or one clinical area?
No. Participating health services must pilot the full draft NSQHS Standards (third edition) at their selected participation level. Participation cannot be limited to a single Standard or clinical area.
How much time will participation require?
The time commitment will vary depending on the participation level and the size and complexity of the health service. Pilot activities will run from February to July 2027, with the self-assessment period occurring between March and May.
How and when can a health service submit an EOI?
EOIs are open from 12 October to 11:59 pm AEDT on 20 November 2026 through the online form. The form takes approximately 15 minutes. Submitting an EOI is not a commitment to participate and does not guarantee selection.
Can the EOI information be shared with other organisations and networks?
Yes. Anyone is welcome to share the pilot information through their organisations and networks. Expressions of interest should be submitted by health services interested in participating.
More information
For more information you can email our team or reach out to our Advice Centre.