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Accreditation complaints

Our office will soon be able to help with complaints about the processes of accreditation authorities

Learn more about our review of accreditation processes

We can’t help with complaints about accreditation authorities yet. We expect the National Law to be amended in late 2021 or early 2022 so that we can.

Please contact us to discuss the best way to address your concerns.

Call us on 1300 795 265

The role of accreditation authorities

Accreditation authorities have an essential role in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme) including to:

develop accreditation standards for a National Board’s approval
accredit education providers and programs of study to ensure they meet approved accreditation standards
assess overseas-qualified practitioners and assessing authorities in other countries
provide advice to the National Boards about these functions.

Multiple accreditation authorities, including specialist medical colleges, are responsible for undertaking the National Scheme’s accreditation functions. The accreditation process varies by health profession.

Find out more about accreditation authorities

We will accept complaints about accreditation authorities soon

In February 2020 the COAG Health Council agreed that our role will be expanded to allow us to accept complaints about bodies undertaking accreditation functions under the National Law.

We will assist with:

complaints to the Ombudsman about accreditation bodies’ processes
complaints to the Commissioner about the use of personal information and alleged breaches of privacy by accreditation authorities.

Federal Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation does not apply to accreditation authorities and so the scope of our role will not be expanded in relation to FOI matters.

We will include more information about complaints related to accreditation authorities soon. In the meantime, you can find out more about how we currently process complaints to the Ombudsman.

Find out more about the complaint process

Find out more about the investigation process

Ombudsman complaints

Find out more about how our office provides a free and independent complaint handling service for the public and health practitioners.
Accreditation processes review

Find out more about our review of existing processes and procedures of accreditation authorities in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.
Accreditation authorities

Learn more about the role of accreditation authorities.

Make a complaint

Find out how to make a complaint to the Ombudsman or Commissioner.

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Accreditation processes review

We are currently reviewing the existing processes and procedures of accreditation authorities, including complaints and appeal processes. We will work with accreditation authorities to ensure the handling of complaints reflects best practice.

Find out more about the review

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Types of accreditation authorities

There are two types of accreditation authorities in the National Scheme: external accreditation entities and committees established by the National Boards.

Some accreditation authorities also have arrangements with other entities, such as specialist medical colleges, to perform certain accreditation functions. This can include accrediting training sites and assessing the qualifications of overseas-trained practitioners.