The NSQHS Standards
National Standards
The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards provide a nationally consistent statement of the level of care consumers can expect from health service organisations.
The NSQHS Standards were developed by the Commission in collaboration with the Australian Government, states and territories, private sector providers, clinical experts, patients and carers. The primary aims of the NSQHS Standards are to protect the public from harm and to improve the quality of health service provision. The eight NSQHS Standards provide a nationally consistent statement about the level of care consumers can expect from health services.
Short notice assessments
From 1 July 2023 short notice assessments will commence. This change applies to all health service organisations where licencing requires accreditation to the NSQHS Standards.
Find out more in this factsheet which provides information on the requirements of the short notice assessments program and transition arrangements.
Links to the NSQHS Standards
Related links
- Resources for the NSQHS Standards
Guides, Advisories, Fact sheets and other resources
- Safety and Quality Advice Centre
Contact the Safety and Quality Advice Centre for enquiries and information on implementing the NSQHS Standards.
- Multi-Purpose Services Aged Care Module
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has developed the Multi-Purpose Services Aged Care Module to support eligible Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) meet their accreditation obligations via a streamlined assessment process.
- Sustainable Healthcare Module
Find out more about the development of a draft Sustainable Healthcare Module for consultation
- NSQHS Standards submission, request and extension forms
Request an extension to Advisory AS18/07, enrol in the NSQHS Standards Orientation Course, request for the NSQHS Standards logo and icons, and other forms
- NSQHS Standards assessment outcomes
Lessons learnt from the assessment of health service organisations to the NSQHS Standards.
Our news
December 2022
- New - Fact sheet 17: Short notice accreditation assessment
- Updated - Advisory AS18/14: Comprehensive Care Standard: Screening and assessment for risk of harm
- Updated - Advisory AS18/15: Comprehensive Care Standard: Developing the comprehensive care plan
- Updated - NSQHS Standards Advisory AS21/04: Provisional accreditation to the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards for primary and community healthcare services
- New - Advisory AS22/04: Cultural Safety Training for Assessors
November 2022
- Updated - NSQHS Standards Advisory AS18/07: Reprocessing of reusable medical devices in health service organisations
- Updated - NSQHS Standards Advisory AS18/11: Implementing systems that can provide clinical information into the My Health Record system
August 2022
Feedback
The Commission values your comments and feedback. If you would like to provide feedback on the NSQHS Standards section of the website, please send your comments to AdviceCentre@safetyandquality.gov.au or phone 1800 304 056.