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New research shows NATA accreditation provides AUD $712 million boost to Australia's economy

NATA - National Association of Testing Authorities

Key Facts:

Read the report:  https://nata.com.au/files/2026/07/UTS-Report-2026.pdf

Independent research has revealed that NATA accreditation delivers significant economic and societal value to Australia, contributing up to $712 million to Australia’s economy each year or nearly $2m every day.

The research conducted by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) also found that accreditation plays a critical societal role in strengthening confidence in Australian goods and services, supporting market access, reducing risk and helping industries operate more efficiently.

The UTS report titled “Beyond Compliance: The Economic and Social Value of NATA Accreditation in Australia” found:

• The economic value of NATA accreditation is estimated to be between AUD $488 million and AUD $712 million annually
• Nearly 90% of accredited organisations surveyed deem NATA accreditation to be fundamental to their success.
• More than a quarter (26%) of respondents said that NATA accreditation helped them enter new domestic and international markets. 
• Accreditation improves efficiency and productivity by strengthening management systems, reducing rework and supporting more consistent processes
• Accredited organisations reported innovation-driven impacts of up to 4% of total revenue, with some exceeding 8%, highlighting its tangible commercial value.
• Accredited services can secure price premiums of more than 12% 

The UTS research shows that accreditation underpins many of the systems Australians rely on every day, while supporting resilience, innovation, effective regulation, and trust across the economy.

“The UTS research confirms what many Australians rarely see but rely on every day: accreditation is part of the infrastructure that keeps our economy, communities and critical systems working with confidence,” NATA Chair Dr Sanmarié Schlebusch said.

“NATA accreditation contributes up to AUD $712 million to the Australian economy each year, but the value goes well beyond the number. It supports confidence in pathology results, drinking water, infrastructure, forensic evidence, product testing, trade and regulation.

“At a time of increasing complexity, global competition and rising expectations for trust and safety, accreditation is not just a compliance requirement - it is a national asset that helps Australia compete, innovate and protect the public interest.” 

Commissioned by NATA, the research builds on the 2018 study, which showed the economic value of NATA accreditation to be around AUD $1M a day and highlights accreditation’s growing importance in an environment shaped by supply chain disruption, rapid technological change and increasing demands for trust, quality and regulatory assurance.

To examine both measurable economic impacts and broader social and intangible benefits, UTS researchers used a mixed-methods design. It combined economic modelling, a survey of 165 NATA member organisations and 181 Technical Assessors, in-depth interviews with seven organisations for case studies, and a literature review. UTS also provided a counterfactual perspective to consider what may be at risk in the absence of a trusted accreditation infrastructure.

“Our research shows that accreditation creates value in ways that are both measurable and deeply embedded in the systems Australians rely on,” Prof Chris Bajada at UTS said.

“The economic contribution is significant, but the broader finding is just as important. Accreditation reduces uncertainty, strengthens trust in technical information and supports better decisions by businesses, regulators, governments and the community.

“By combining economic modelling with survey evidence, interviews and case studies, this research shows that accreditation should be understood not only as a technical process, but as an important contributor to Australia’s economic and social wellbeing.”

Read the report:  https://nata.com.au/files/2026/07/UTS-Report-2026.pdf

About us:

About NATA 

The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) provides accreditation for laboratories to ensure testing results can be relied on and trusted. As Australia’s leading internationally recognised accreditation authority, NATA’s role is to uphold the national standards of technical competence for those delivering products or services to the general public. Through its extensive network, NATA provides accreditation services to conformity assessment bodies, which facilitate stakeholders having confidence in test, measurement and inspection data and thus enabling them to gain national and international acceptance of their products and services.

 

Contact details:

Spokespeople available for interview. 

Contact Karen Eck, eckfactor 

+61 438 532 569

[email protected]