In keeping with the brief provided by the Department of Health and Ageing (DOHA) for this project, our focus will be to "undertake the development of an innovative, implementable quality framework (the framework) for Australian Government funded drug and alcohol treatment services". However, we are aware of the diversity of the AOD sector (including service structures, funding sources, and jurisdictional responsibilities), and the need to develop a framework that has the flexibility and sophistication to address this. As such, whilst our primary data collection and consultation activities will focus on AOD services currently receiving Australian Government funding, our approach will include extensive consultation with representatives from a broad range of AOD services across Australia. In addition, we will work with DOHA to engage and involve jurisdictional peak bodies and government departments to ensure that there is collective "buy-in" and input into the proposed framework (including opportunities to work with the expert reference group), so that it complements similar work being conducted in different jurisdictions and is viewed as a valuable contribution to the field by all stakeholders. Indeed, given the complex reporting requirements that services have to multiple accreditation bodies, we will attempt to develop a quality assurance model that has minimal additional burden for DOHA-funded agencies, and has the potential for application in the full range of state- and federally-funded AOD services following further piloting and testing.