NATA is a government-endorsed, independent, not-for-profit company, operating as an association owned by its members. All NATA-accredited organisations are members of the Association.

NATA is guided and monitored by a Board of Directors drawn from its Council, which consists of representatives of the Commonwealth and State and Territory governments, stakeholder representatives from industry and professional bodies, elected members representing the accredited facilities in each of the States and Territories, and co-opted members.

NATA's competence as an accreditation provider is regularly evaluated by International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) for continued inclusion in Mutual Recognition Arrangements. Evaluation teams comprise individuals from accreditation bodies in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. This ensures NATA’s operations remain consistent with international practices. (NATA similarly undertakes audits of its mutual recognition partners).

NATA has a secretariat of some 170 people spread across most Australian capital cities. This includes many scientific staff who undertake and administer the ongoing technical auditing (accreditation) of applicant and accredited organisations, and provide training services.

These staff are complemented by the thousands of technical experts who volunteer their time in evaluating the technical competence of laboratories and as members of NATA's various technical committees.