Accreditation and standards

Purpose of accreditation

Accreditation gives the public, property managers, insurers and regulators a reliable signal that a business is qualified for the work it offers and that its work can be checked. It also gives members a shared, defensible standard to point to when a result or a scope of work is questioned.

Our standards focus on outcomes that matter to occupants: samples that are taken correctly, results that are analysed accurately and reported clearly, remediation that is planned and validated, and honest dealings with clients.

Eligibility by category

Testing members

• Recognised training in methamphetamine sampling using the NIOSH 9111 wipe method.
• Competence in sampling design, report writing and interpreting results against the applicable guideline.
• Use of a NATA accredited laboratory for all analysis that supports a report or clearance.

Decontamination members

• Recognised training in remediation methods, chemical handling and waste management.
• Documented safe work procedures, including respiratory and personal protective equipment.
• Ability to prepare a Remediation Action Plan based on laboratory results.

Laboratory members

• Current NATA accreditation for the relevant analytical methods.
• Documented chain of custody and quality control procedures.

Associate and community members

Open to organisations and individuals with an interest in the industry. These categories do not carry accreditation to deliver testing or decontamination services.

Core requirements for all service members

• Work to current guidelines. Follow the Australian Voluntary Code of Practice and the guideline that applies in the state where the property is located.
• State the guideline level. Every report must state the level applied and its source.
• Independence. Do not carry out clearance testing on a property your business, or a related business, has remediated. Declare any relationship with another provider to the client in writing.
• Insurance. Maintain public liability insurance, and professional indemnity insurance for testing members.
• Records. Keep reports, chain of custody forms, RAPs and clearance documents for at least seven years.
• Safety. Protect workers, occupants and neighbours, and dispose of contaminated waste lawfully.
• Continuing education. Keep skills current through NAMC workshops or equivalent training.

The pathway

Accreditation follows six steps. Most applicants move from application to provisional membership within a few weeks of submitting a complete application.

1. Check eligibility

   Confirm your business type and the qualifications required for your category.

2. Apply online

   Submit your application with qualifications, insurance and sample documents.

3. Document review

   The board reviews your procedures, reports and Remediation Action Plans.

4. Provisional membership

   Join as a standard member and complete your provisional obligations.

5. Report audit

   The board may request any testing report or RAP to confirm compliance.

6. Full membership

   Receive full status and the NAMC Trusted Member badge.

Code of conduct

Members agree to act honestly, competently and in the interests of the people who will live in the properties they work on. In particular, members will:

• Recommend only the testing or remediation that the evidence supports.
• Never overstate or understate results, or alter a laboratory report.
• Provide written quotes and scopes before starting work.
• Treat tenants, owners and neighbours with discretion and respect.
• Represent their NAMC membership category accurately in all marketing.
• Cooperate fully with any audit or complaint review.

Audits and complaints

The board has the right to request access to any testing report or Remediation Action Plan at any level of standard membership. Audits may be random or follow a complaint.

When a complaint is received, the board reviews it, requests relevant documents and invites the member to respond. Outcomes may include no action, guidance, required corrective work, additional training, suspension or removal from the directory. Complainants are told the outcome.

Using the Trusted Member badge

Full members may display the NAMC Trusted Member badge on their website, vehicles, quotes and reports while their membership is current. The badge must link to, or reference, the NAMC member directory, must not be altered, and must be removed immediately if membership lapses or is suspended.