How to start

Before you begin

Attend an information session and/or a Community of Practice Workshop. These valuable sessions help organisations to understand the program and the processes required for ASES accreditation.

Information sessions

The ASES team provides information sessions for South Australian organisations.

ASES Information Sessions are open to all organisations and are free to Department of Human Services funded agencies. Sessions present an overview of the program including a summary of quality and continuous improvement, practical exercises and the opportunity to meet an external assessor. All participants receive a certificate of attendance.

These Information Sessions are held several times a year. All sessions are held via MS Teams.

Next information session

All information sessions to be held on Thursdays, 10.00 am to 12 noon via MS Teams

14 August 2025
13 November 2025

Register to attend

Community of Practice Workshops

The ASES team conducts Community of Practice workshops to discuss topics of interest, struggle areas such as issues relating to maintaining quality community services. These workshops provide advice and networking opportunities for agencies. For example, workshops on topics such as strategic planning and risk management.

To nominate a topic, email serviceexcellence@sa.gov.au

The Accreditation process

Register with us

Organisations formally register their intent to undertake ASES. This triggers access to the tools, resources and workbooks.

Self-Assessment

ASES workbooks and evidence guides can be accessed through the DHS Standards and Quality Portal which is hosted by BNG NGO online.

Organisations funded by DHS will be eligible for discounted rates (PDF 2.4 MB).

If your organisation doesn’t receive funding from DHS, you can still access the portal at your own cost vi the BNG NGO online tool.

External Assessment

An experienced and approved assessor will assess your organisation. If you want to book an external assessor, there are two steps:

see external assessors contact details, and
complete an ASES activity form.

There is a cost to have your organisation assessed.

Eligible organisations may receive financial assistance to help pay for their assessments. For more information on this:

email serviceexcellence@sa.gov.au or
complete an ASES activity form.

Quality Action Plan developed

The recommendations in the report are transferred to the Quality Action Plan. A draft Quality Action Plan is sent to ASES team within six weeks of the assessment. Organisations have six months to complete actions in quality action plan.