Accreditation complaints

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 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 Boards about these functions.

Multiple accreditation organisations, 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 organisations

Complaints about accreditation organisations

The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Regulation was amended in January 2023 to expand our role. We can now accept complaints about accreditation organisations undertaking accreditation functions under the National Law and specialist medical colleges in relation to approved programs of study.

We can assist with:

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

Our office may consider, for example, how accreditation organisations handle matters in areas such as:

• the accreditation of an education provider, program of study or training site
• assessments of overseas qualified practitioners or specialist medical graduates.

Federal Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation does not apply to external accreditation organisations and so we cannot consider or review FOI decisions.

Find out more about the complaint process

Find out more about the investigation process