About ACASA
The Australian Certification & Accreditation Service Agency (ACASA) is a national body responsible for establishing and maintaining industry sector standards across key areas of business risk.
ACASA was founded to ensure a consistent, transparent, and accountable approach to compliance across Australian industries. Our standards provide a unified framework that supports organisations in meeting their legislative and regulatory obligations with integrity and confidence.
Through established frameworks, ACASA delivers a nationally consistent benchmark for compliance, enabling all businesses, regardless of size or sector, to operate on an equal footing.
While ISO accreditations remain globally recognised, they can be complex and cost-prohibitive for many Australian businesses. ACASA provides a practical alternative - one that is directly aligned with Australian law, focused on achievable compliance, and designed to strengthen both industry performance and public trust.
With representatives operating in all Australian states and territories, overseen by qualified industry leaders with an operational and governance focus, get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can equip your business and your people.
Principles of Operation
Substance Over Form
ACASA upholds the principle that true compliance must reflect the real substance of an organisation’s operations, not just its documentation or presentation. Too often, forms and procedures can mask underlying risks or non-compliance until a critical incident exposes the truth. Our approach ensures that the intent and effectiveness of systems, not just their appearance on paper, are what define compliance. This principle promotes transparency, integrity, and a genuine culture of safety and accountability throughout every layer of an organisation.
Meaningful Standards
Many existing standards fail to achieve their purpose because they are either impractical or applied inconsistently. ACASA’s standards are developed to be relevant, achievable, and nationally consistent - ensuring they provide genuine value and measurable improvement. Each standard clearly defines what is required, why it is important, and how it is to be applied in practice. This clarity eliminates local interpretation and delivers a unified benchmark for compliance, helping organisations meet real-world needs with confidence and precision
Measurement of Outcome vs Measurement of Input
Traditional compliance models often focus on process: assessing paperwork, procedures, and administrative inputs; rather than the actual outcomes achieved. ACASA reverses this approach by prioritising measurable results over box-ticking exercises. We assess the effectiveness of systems and training by evaluating real-world performance and outcomes. This ensures that success is based on demonstrated competence and genuine results, driving continual improvement and rewarding organisations that deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes.
Governance
ACASA operates under a transparent and accountable governance structure designed to maintain independence, integrity, and impartiality in all activities. Our framework is overseen by a Board of Directors responsible for strategic direction, ethical oversight, and adherence to ACASA’s founding principles. The Board is supported by the ACASA Steering Committee, which includes subject matter experts and industry representatives who guide the development of standards, accreditation criteria, and policy initiatives. Operational Officers administer day-to-day functions, including certification, audits, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring consistency and fairness across all processes. This governance model guarantees that every decision made by ACASA is grounded in evidence, industry relevance, and the highest standards of probity.