The Growing Push for TSANZ and NATA Accreditation in Australian Respiratory Labs - and How Software Is Making It Easier
Australian respiratory labs are under increasing pressure to meet a new accreditation standard, and the right software can make the difference between a smooth compliance journey and an overwhelming one. The TSANZ/NATA Respiratory Function Laboratory Accreditation Program represents a significant shift in how respiratory labs are evaluated, raising the bar for quality and patient safety. For lab managers and respiratory scientists navigating this change, understanding what the program demands - and which tools can support it - is essential.
TL;DR
TSANZ and NATA have formalised a joint accreditation program for respiratory function laboratories in Australia.
The program is designed to improve patient outcomes by standardising lab quality and test integrity.
Accreditation requires labs to manage documents, training, audits, non-conformances, and quality control systematically.
Software purpose-built for respiratory labs can significantly reduce the administrative burden of compliance.
Rezibase includes a dedicated accreditation module that maps directly to TSANZ/NATA and ISO 15189 requirements.
About the Author: This article was written by the Rezibase team - a platform built by respiratory scientists with over 37 years of combined industry experience, trusted by more than 35 respiratory and sleep labs across Australia and the UK.
What Is the TSANZ/NATA Respiratory Function Laboratory Accreditation Program?
The TSANZ/NATA Respiratory Function Laboratory Accreditation Program is a formal, joint initiative between the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) and the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), designed to accredit respiratory function laboratories across Australia.
TSANZ and NATA signed a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2023 to establish the program [3]. The accreditation program came into effect in early 2025 [1], signalling a meaningful shift from voluntary best practice toward a structured, externally validated standard.
According to ANZSRS, the program "will contribute to better health outcomes and treatment for patients with respiratory conditions" [2]. This is not simply a bureaucratic exercise - it reflects a sector-wide recognition that consistent, high-quality testing directly affects clinical decision-making.
Key goals of the program include:
Standardising the quality of respiratory function testing across labs
Ensuring laboratories meet ISO 15189 medical laboratory requirements
Providing patients with confidence that their test results are accurate and reliable
Creating a benchmark for training, documentation, and quality assurance
Why Is Accreditation Gaining Momentum Now?
Accreditation has arrived at a time when respiratory health is receiving greater attention across Australia's healthcare system. Several factors are converging to make lab quality a priority.
Drivers behind the push:
Increased demand for respiratory testing post-pandemic, placing more scrutiny on result accuracy
Growing recognition that lab-to-lab variability in testing can affect diagnostic consistency
ISO 15189 alignment, which positions Australian labs within a globally recognised quality framework
Professional body pressure from organisations like ANZSRS, which has actively promoted the program to its members [2]
What makes this moment different from previous quality initiatives is the formalisation of external assessment. Labs can no longer rely solely on internal protocols - they now need to demonstrate compliance to an independent accreditation body.
What Do Labs Actually Need to Do to Comply?
Compliance with the TSANZ/NATA program is not a one-time checklist. It is an ongoing operational commitment. Understanding the scope of what is required helps labs plan realistically.
Core compliance requirements typically include:
Compliance Area | What It Involves |
|---|---|
Document Management | Maintaining controlled, version-tracked standard operating procedures |
Staff Training Records | Evidence of competency assessments and ongoing education |
Non-Conformance Reporting | Logging, investigating, and resolving deviations from standard practice |
Action Plans | Documented responses to identified issues with follow-up tracking |
Audits | Internal and external audit trails with findings and outcomes |
Quality Control | Statistical QC methods, including Westgard rules for equipment performance |
Each of these areas requires not just the activity itself, but evidence that the activity occurred, was reviewed, and was acted upon. For many labs currently relying on paper-based systems or generic tools like spreadsheets, this creates a significant documentation burden.
How Does Software Help with Accreditation?
The administrative load of accreditation compliance is real, but it is manageable with the right infrastructure. Purpose-built software reduces the risk of missed documentation, version errors, and audit gaps.
Software can support accreditation by:
Centralising all compliance documentation in one place, removing the chaos of shared drives and paper folders
Automating reminders for document reviews, training renewals, and audit schedules
Providing structured templates for non-conformance reports and action plans
Enabling real-time quality control tracking with built-in statistical methods
Creating an audit-ready environment where evidence is always accessible and traceable
The difference between generic practice management software and specialist respiratory lab software is significant here. Generic tools require labs to build their own compliance frameworks from scratch. Specialist platforms are designed around the specific requirements labs already face.
What Does Rezibase Offer for TSANZ/NATA Accreditation?
Rezibase is a cloud-based respiratory and sleep reporting platform built by and for respiratory scientists. Its accreditation module was developed specifically to address the requirements of the TSANZ/NATA program and ISO 15189, removing the need to patch together multiple systems.
The Rezibase accreditation module includes:
Document Management: Controlled document storage with version history
Training Management: Staff competency tracking and training records
Non-Conformance Logging: Structured reporting with root cause and resolution tracking
Action Plans: Linked to non-conformances and audits with accountability trails
Audit Management: Internal audit scheduling, findings, and follow-up
Quality Control: QC tracking using Westgard methods for equipment performance monitoring
Beyond accreditation, Rezibase connects compliance workflows to the broader lab operation, including patient reporting, normal values libraries aligned to ATS guidelines, and integrations with hospital systems such as PAS, EMR, and electronic ordering platforms.
Being vendor-neutral is also relevant here. Because Rezibase is not tied to any equipment manufacturer, labs can import data from any device using the Magic Import function. This matters for accreditation because it means the platform can serve as a consistent compliance backbone regardless of which equipment a lab uses.
Is Switching to New Software Mid-Accreditation Complicated?
Transitioning to a new platform sounds daunting, but it does not need to be. Rezibase is designed to make data migration straightforward, and the team supports labs through the process with hands-on onboarding assistance.
What the transition typically looks like:
Initial setup and configuration tailored to your lab's specific workflows
Migration of existing patient data and documentation into the new system
Staff training on the platform, supported by the Rezibase team
A 30-day free trial period to ensure the system fits before committing
Because Rezibase is cloud-based, there is no server infrastructure to install or manage. Labs can be up and running without significant IT involvement, which is particularly relevant for public hospital labs where IT resources are often stretched.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TSANZ/NATA accreditation program?
It is a joint program between TSANZ and NATA to formally accredit respiratory function laboratories in Australia, aligned with ISO 15189 standards. It came into effect in early 2025 [1].
Is accreditation mandatory for all respiratory labs?
The program provides a formal pathway for accreditation. Labs seeking to demonstrate quality compliance to referrers, funders, or hospital governance bodies will increasingly find accreditation advantageous.
What is ISO 15189 and why does it matter?
ISO 15189 is an international standard for medical laboratories covering quality management and technical competence. TSANZ/NATA accreditation aligns with this standard, connecting Australian labs to a global benchmark.
Can Rezibase replace our existing quality management system?
Yes. The Rezibase accreditation module is designed to cover all areas required for TSANZ/NATA compliance, consolidating what many labs currently manage across multiple tools.
How long does it take to get set up on Rezibase?
Setup timelines vary by lab size and complexity, but Rezibase's onboarding process is structured to minimise disruption and get labs operational quickly.
Does Rezibase work with our existing equipment?
Yes. Rezibase is vendor-neutral and manufacturer-agnostic, supporting data import from any respiratory testing device via its Magic Import function.
Is there a contract required to start?
No. Rezibase operates on a transparent, all-inclusive monthly pricing model with no lock-in contracts and a 30-day free trial.
About Rezibase
Rezibase is Australia's most advanced cloud-based respiratory and sleep reporting solution, trusted by over 35 sites including NSW Health and the NHS in the UK. Founded by respiratory scientists and now backed by Cardiobase, the platform is built around the real workflows of clinical physiology labs. Rezibase covers the full spectrum of lab needs, from patient management and reporting to accreditation compliance and hospital system integration, all within a single, vendor-neutral platform.
If your lab is preparing for TSANZ/NATA accreditation and you want to understand how purpose-built software can simplify the process, visit rezibase.com to learn more or book a demo with the team.