Australian Classification of Health Interventions (ACHI)

The Australian Classification of Health Interventions (ACHI) is based on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and was previously known as the Medicare Benefits Schedule-Extended (MBS-E). The NCCH developed it with assistance from specialist clinicians and clinical coders. The ACHI codes have seven digits. The first five digits are the MBS item number. The two-digit extension represents specific procedures included in that item. The classification is structured by body system, site and procedure type. Procedures not currently listed in MBS have also been included (eg allied health interventions, cosmetic surgery).

ACHI consists of:

  • a tabular list of interventions and accompanying alphabetic index

The NCCH is responsible for producing and updating ACHI in Australia under contract from The Australian Department of Health and Ageing.

ACHI is in its sixth edition which was implemented in July 2008.

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