A clinical urgency category is to be assigned to each waiting list entry by a treating practitioner to indicate the priority with which the patient should receive treatment. It represents the timeframe within which the procedure is clinically indicated as appropriate for the patient and their clinical situation. The clinical urgency category should be assigned according to the following criteria and should not be influenced by clinical or human resources:

Code 4 Urgent
The procedure should be performed within 30 days.
It applies for a condition that has the potential to deteriorate quickly to the point that it might become an emergency and has a high likelihood of significant pathology.

Code 5 Semi-urgent
The procedure should be performed within 90 days. 
It applies for a condition that is likely to deteriorate significantly if left untreated beyond 90 days and has a lower likelihood of significant pathology. 

Code 6 Non-urgent
The procedure should be performed within 365 days. 
It applies for a condition that is unlikely to deteriorate quickly and does not have the potential to become an emergency.

Code 9 Surveillance
The procedure is required to be performed as part of an ongoing observational program, usually to monitor a patient with an existing condition or for a patient at risk of developing a condition. A patient's initial procedure should be categorised as urgent, semi-urgent or non-urgent and a surveillance procedure as part of a surveillance program should be categorised as surveillance.

For clinical urgency categories 4, 5 and 6, reclassification of clinical urgency category can occur following a review of the patient by the treating practitioner, or an appropriate clinical delegate acting on behalf of the treating practitioner, with the reason for change to be recorded in the patient's medical record.