Since 2013, we have been authorised to accredit healthcare organisations according to the standards set by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC). These standards, referred to as the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, help protect the public from harm, and improve the quality of health care in Australia. ACHS is proud to be the country’s primary accreditor of these standards.
We have been setting and maintaining our own standards since 1974. Today, in addition to accrediting government standards, our Evaluation and Quality Improvement program (EQuIP) provides optional accreditation for organisations not required to meet the NSQHS Standards. The EQuIP program involves self-assessment, an organisation-wide assessment, and periodic review to ensure a healthcare provider is meeting necessary standards. Once accredited, the provider is assessed every four years.
Since 2017, we have been authorised to accredit General Practices under the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)’s Standards for General Practices. Organisations seeking this accreditation must undertake a three-year program, and accreditation is officially awarded once all program criteria have been met.
The National Standards for Mental Health Services (NSMHS) program is designed for healthcare organisations with a specific focus on mental health. We offer both an integrated and a stand-alone assessment model, and a certificate of recognition will be provided once all requirements have been met.
The Victorian Department of Human Services (DHHS) funds organisations to provide a broad range of services across children, youth and family services, homelessness services and disability services. The Department has endorsed us to review department-funded organisations against its own standards, as well as broader industry standards.
If you’re interested in finding out more about ACHS or our accreditation programs and membership, you can:
