Finding an Accredited Genomics Laboratory in Australia: A Guide to the NATA Directory

Why NATA Accreditation Matters in Genomics

In Australia, the technical competency of medical testing is ensured by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) in collaboration with the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA). For a laboratory to claim Medicare payments for pathology services—including advanced genomic testing like Whole Exome Sequencing—they must hold current NATA accreditation under the ISO 15189 standard for Human Pathology. Ensuring a testing facility is accredited guarantees that it adheres to strict quality control, risk management, and clinical standards.

How to Use the NATA 'Find Organisation' Tool

The NATA 'Find Organisation' portal is a publicly accessible directory that allows clinicians and patients to verify the accreditation status of any laboratory in Australia. Here is how to effectively search the database for genomics facilities:

• Search by Keyword: You can enter specific terms like "genomics," "molecular diagnostics," or "cytogenetics" into the search bar to locate specialized facilities.
• Filter by Standard: To narrow results specifically to medical testing, use the Accreditation Standard filter and enter "15189" (the ISO standard for Human Pathology).
• Search by Facility Name: If a patient is referred to a specific pathology provider (e.g., NSW Health Pathology, SydPath, or a private laboratory), you can search their name directly to view their active status and location details.

Reviewing the Scope of Accreditation

Once you find a laboratory in the directory, clicking on their profile will reveal their specific site details and their "Scope of Accreditation." This is a crucial document because a laboratory may be accredited for general chemical pathology but not specifically for complex genomic sequencing. Always check the scope to ensure the specific genetic test or biological composition profiling being ordered is actively listed under their accredited services.