Background

By 30 June 2008, all existing diagnostic imaging practices offering services covered under the Radiology MoU were required by the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) to register for "deemed accreditation", as defined by the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Act (DIAA). The Department is required under the Act to remove access to Medicare rebates for those practices that did not comply with this requirement.

All diagnostic imaging practices that registered for “deemed accreditation” are now required to apply for accreditation to the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards (Stage 1 accreditation) before 30 June 2009. There are two important exceptions in regard to practices that have achieved, or have applied for, RANZCR/NATA Medical Imaging Accreditation. These exceptions are outlined below under Important Information.

Diagnostic imaging practices that did not apply for “deemed accreditation”, either because they missed the deadline or they did not exist prior to 30 June 2008, must also apply for Stage 1 accreditation if they want to be eligible for Medicare rebates.

Application Process

Application for accreditation to the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards (Stage 1 accreditation) is available through NATA. It is very straightforward and can be completed on-line.

A practice that achieved “deemed accreditation” through NATA will find it convenient to apply for Stage 1 accreditation through NATA as we already have the practice’s details and will partly complete the application on the practice’s behalf. These practices should click on the top button above. They will be emailed a log-in name and secure password so that they can complete their application on-line.

A practice that achieved “deemed accreditation” through another provider can apply for Stage 1 accreditation through NATA. The practice should click on the middle button above. The practice will then be prompted to provide its details and the name of the provider through which it achieved “deemed accreditation”. This information will be checked against Medicare records. The practice will then be emailed a log-in name and secure password so that it can complete its application on-line.

A practice that doesn’t have “deemed accreditation” and wants to apply for Stage 1 accreditation should click on the lower button above. The practice will then be prompted to provide its details which will be checked against Medicare records. The practice will then be emailed a log-in name and secure password so that it can complete its application on-line. Upon receipt of the supporting documentation, NATA will complete the audit of this documentation within 10 working days so that the practice can access Medicare benefits as quickly as possible Any supporting documents required for the application can be attached electronically, or separately faxed or posted to NATA.

If you don’t have internet access, simply contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   at NATA. NATA charges no application fee, and only charges $113/hr including GST to review the documents submitted. There are also ceilings on the maximum that NATA charges. All fees are shown in our Fee Schedule.

Provided the document review is satisfactory, Stage 1 accreditation is granted and the practice (LSPN) is provided with a certificate suitable for display.

Important Information

• Existing practices that already have RANZCR/NATA accreditation for the modalities for which they require Medicare rebates and have registered for "deemed accreditation" under the DIAS, are automatically granted Stage 1 accreditation until 30 June 2010 without further application. The Department anticipates that by this time, the standards for its Stage 2 accreditation will be available.
• Existing practices that applied for RANZCR/NATA accreditation before 30 June 2008 and registered for "deemed accreditation" under the DIAS, have until 30 June 2009 to either obtain RANZCR/NATA accreditation, or apply for Stage 1 accreditation.
• Medical imaging practices that ONLY provide the following diagnostic imaging services do not need to apply for Stage 1 accreditation:
  • Cardiac ultrasound (Group I1, Subgroup 2: 55113-55135);
  • Cardiac angiography (Group I3, Subgroup 13: 59903, 59912, 59925, 59971, 59972 and 59973; Subgroup 16: 60918 and 60927);
  • Obstetric and Gynaecological Ultrasound (Group I1, Subgroup 5: 55700-55774); and
  • Nuclear medicine imaging (Group I4; 61302-61650)

For more information, phone:

Ms Fay Thomas on (02) 9736 8222, or fax (02) 9743 5311, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ms Tracy Fleming on (03) 9329 1633 or fax (03) 9326 5148