Strategy: The National Quit Group, comprising representatives from organisations responsible for implementing cessation campaigns in Australia, endorsed the recommendation. After consultation with Quitline Managers (representing those organisations providing Quitline services), 31st December 2006 was set as the date by which the Minimum Standards document would be finalised for sign-off by each jurisdiction.

A working group was established to progress the development of the document with consultation through regular Quit Group teleconferences and the annual meeting and with the Quitline Managers.

The final document includes minimum standards for call response, resource provision, hours of operation, callback service, fax referrals, tailored assistance for priority groups, counsellor recruitment and training, data collection and evaluation. Brief operational protocols were developed for some standards.

Conclusion: Minimum Standards for the Australian Quitline Services are an important quality improvement mechanism, which act as a means of enhancing and protecting the reputation of the Quitline and providing a consistent quality service to callers. It is each jurisdiction's responsibility to ensure their Quitline service complies with the Standards. Ultimately, maintenance of the Minimum Standards will require ongoing monitoring after implementation. There is a commitment to monitoring but infrastructure is required to enable data collection and reporting.