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Pathology accreditation standards
The pathology accreditation standards used in Australia protect the public from harm and ensure consistency in pathology practice.
About the Standards
The National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC) is responsible for developing and maintaining the accreditation standards for Australian pathology laboratories. The standards are categorised into four main tiers as follows:
Requirements for cervical screening (Second edition 2024)
The Department of Health and Aged Care, in collaboration with the National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC) and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, has published the second edition of the Requirements for cervical screening.
The Requirements for cervical screening (Second edition 2024) replaces the following NPAAC pathology standards from 1 February 2025:
- Requirements for laboratories reporting tests for the National Cervical Screening Program (Second Edition 2019)
- Requirements for validation of self-collected vaginal swabs for use in the National Cervical Screening Program (First Edition 2019)
- Performance measures for Australian laboratories reporting cervical cytology (Third Edition 2015)
What does this mean for Australian pathology laboratories?
All accredited pathology laboratories are required to comply with the Requirements for cervical screening (Second edition 2024) starting 1 February 2025.
The Requirements for cervical screening (Second edition 2024) include transition arrangements from 1 February 2025 until 30 June 2025 for reporting only. Please contact your accrediting agency for information on the accreditation cycle and upcoming assessments.
If you have any enquiries, please contact pathology@safetyandquality.gov.au
More information
- National Pathology Accreditation Scheme
The National Pathology Accreditation (NPA) Scheme provides for the Australia-wide coordination of accreditation processes for pathology laboratories in Australia.
- Resources for the pathology standards
Resources that support clinicians, service providers and accrediting agencies by providing guidance on the requirements for pathology laboratories to be accredited
- National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council
The National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC) is responsible for developing and maintaining the accreditation standards for pathology laboratories in Australia.
- Safety and Quality Advice Centre
The Advice Centre provides support for pathology services, assessors and accrediting agencies on pathology accreditation standards implementation.
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