Clinical governance
Clinical governance is central to providing the best outcomes for patients. It is the combination of culture, systems and processes that enables everyone in a health service to deliver care that is consistently high quality and improving.
It is the system by which boards, executives, clinical leaders and the workforce are accountable to patients and the community for providing high-quality care – care that is person-centred, safe, effective, accessible and integrated, provided in a way that is equitable, efficient and sustainable.
Strong outcome-focused clinical governance is a strategic priority for the Commission. Our vision is that all health services in Australia have the leadership, culture and systems to provide consistently high-quality care.
National Model for Clinical Governance
The foundations of clinical governance for public and private acute health services.
Practical guide and tools
How to implement the National Model for Clinical Governance in your health service.
New 2026 national model and practical guide to implementation
The Commission has released a new National Model for Clinical Governance (national model) that aims to drive high-quality care and better outcomes for patients in Australian hospitals.
The national model represents a significant change in how clinical governance should be understood, led and embedded in every health service. It aims to elevate the approach to clinical governance, shifting the main focus from complying with accreditation requirements to building the culture of the whole organisation to support the delivery of high-quality care.
The national model is accompanied by a practical guide to implementation and tools.
Revising the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
The Commission has started a national consultation to inform the development of the NSQHS Standards (third edition) in collaboration with the healthcare system and community representatives. The new Clinical Governance standard will be based on the new clinical governance model.
Visit the NSQHS Standards (third edition) Engagement Hub
Credentialing of clinicians
This document provides high-level principles and guidance on credentialing and defining clinicians’ scope of practice. It supports the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards Clinical Governance Standard. This factsheet summarises the guide and we also have information on frequently asked questions.
Examples of model scopes of practice for a range of specialist medical practitioners and dental specialists are available on the website of the NSW State Scope of Clinical Practice Unit.
Clinical Governance Advisory Committee
Committee members
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Mr Michael Gorton AM (Chair) |
|
| Professor Christine Kilpatrick AO |
|
| Dr Cathy Balding |
|
| Ms Elleni Bereded-Samuel AM |
|
| Dr Peggy Brown AO |
|
| Ms Suzanne Cadigan |
|
| Ms Christine Gee AM |
|
| Professor David Greenfield |
|
| Mr Tony Kiessler |
|
| Dr Audrey Koay |
|
| Ms Louise McKinlay |
|
| Professor Jennifer Martin |
|
| Associate Professor Aunty Carmen Parter |
|
| Professor Judy Searle |
|
| Ms Maureen Williams |
|
State and territory clinical governance resources
This section brings together key state and territory clinical governance policies, frameworks and related documents.
You can email us to nominate other state and territory resources.
List of resources
New South Wales
- Clinical Governance in NSW Policy Directive
- Clinical Excellence Commission - Clinical Governance and Safety System Model
Queensland
- Patient Safety and Quality Podcast series
- Board Safety and Quality Committees (Part 1)
- Board Safety and Quality Committees (Part 2)
- Ryan’s Rule
- Informed consent
- Patient reported measures
Victoria
Contact us
For questions about our work in Clinical Governance, please email our Clinical Governance team.