What is an assessment pathway?
An assessment pathway is the path an application follows to receive an MSAC outcome.
All applications will go through the suitability stage – the first stage of the MSAC process.
If an application is found suitable, it will be given an assessment pathway.
Most applications will then go through all the remaining stages on the standard pathway. Some applications will bypass parts of the process on the expedited pathway or direct pathway.
This diagram shows the standard, expedited and direct pathways.
The standard pathway consists of:
- Lodge application form
- Pre-assessment phase: suitability, PICO confirmation development and PASC consideration
- Lodge assessment report
- Assessment phase: ESC consideration and MSAC consideration.
The expedited pathway bypasses PICO confirmation development and PASC consideration.
The direct pathway bypasses PICO confirmation development, PASC consideration and ESC consideration.
Standard pathway
This is the most common assessment pathway. After the suitability stage, applications assigned this pathway will go through:
After the lodgement of an assessment report, they will go through:
They will also go through 2 consultation rounds – pre-PASC consultation and pre-MSAC consultation.
PASC may consider the PICO confirmation more than once before deciding if an application should progress. This is uncommon. If this occurs, there may be further consultation between PASC meetings.
Expedited pathway
The expedited pathway allows applications to bypass PICO confirmation and PASC consideration. After the suitability stage and lodgement of an assessment report, applications on this pathway will go through:
They will also go through one consultation round – pre-MSAC consultation.
Direct pathway
The direct pathway allows applications to bypass PICO confirmation and PASC and ESC consideration. After the suitability stage and lodgement of an assessment report, they will go through MSAC consideration.
They will also go through one consultation round – pre-MSAC consultation.
Deciding the assessment pathway
To find out what kinds of applications are more likely to go on the standard, expedited or direct pathways, see how the pathway decision is made.
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