New National Safety and Quality Standards Open for Consultation

Health professionals, consumers and engagement practitioners are being invited to help shape the future of Australia’s National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released the initial draft of the third edition of the NSQHS Standards for public consultation. The revised standards aim to respond to emerging challenges across the health system while strengthening the delivery of safe, high-quality and person-centred care. Feedback is open until 25 September 2026.

For engagement practitioners, the consultation is particularly relevant.

The proposed third edition places greater emphasis on how patients experience care, while streamlining requirements to better integrate safety and quality into everyday practice. The Commission has also highlighted the importance of hearing from consumers, clinicians, health service leaders and other stakeholders to ensure the Standards reflect contemporary expectations and priorities.

Community and stakeholder engagement plays an important role in achieving these outcomes. Meaningful engagement helps health services better understand patient experiences, design more responsive services and strengthen trust with the communities they serve.

Whether you work in engagement, communications, service improvement or governance, this consultation provides an opportunity to help shape the national framework that guides quality and safety across Australia’s health system.

Further Reading

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care – NSQHS Standards (Third Edition) Consultation

Have Your Say on the Draft NSQHS Standards (Third Edition)