Commission Act and Rules
From 1 January 2020, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Rules 2018 have changed. For information about key changes for providers, please see our Commission Act and Rules page.
Self-Assessment Tool guidance and template
The Quality Standards apply to all aged care services including residential care, home care, short-term restorative care, and services under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program.
Before completing a self-assessment, aged care providers should familiarise themselves with the following information:
- Aged Care Quality Standards
- Guidance and Resources for Providers to support the Aged Care Quality Standards
A Self-Assessment Tool template for the Quality Standards has been developed to assist providers.
Note: This is not a prescribed template. Providers may complete a self-assessment in any preferred format.
Download the guidance and templates
- Guidance for Self-Assessment for the Quality Standards
- Self-Assessment Tool template for the Quality Standards and Plan for Continuous Improvement template. It is helpful to complete these together.
- Combined Self-Assessment Tool for the Quality Standards and Plan for Continuous Improvement template
- Quality and safety in home services – Guidance and risk checklist tool
What is self-assessment?
Self-assessment is an important part of the continuous improvement cycle for aged care providers. It provides an opportunity to evaluate performance against the Quality Standards, to review the results for aged care consumers (consumers), to assess the effectiveness of any improvements and to support processes for ongoing quality improvement and risk management.
Completing a self-assessment will provide evidence that improvement has taken place and assist in communicating a provider’s success.
How to plan for a self-assessment
Make self-assessment a positive mechanism to support improvement and be a signpost for good practice.
Approach the process of self-assessment as an ongoing tool rather than a task that is completed in a short or contained period, in between other duties. Involve consumers and their representatives throughout this process.
It may be useful to review and update the self-assessment regularly so it continues to develop over time. This will also assist with updating the plan for continuous improvement.
Identifying risk to the standard of care and services
There are known sector-wide risks that can affect the standard of care and service.
A provider’s self-assessment should include any risk factors that may affect service operations. It should also include how this is being managed to ensure that quality care and services are being delivered for consumers – and preventing possible harm to their safety, health or well-being.
Potential risk factors may include:
- relocation of the service or building works
- any recommendations for improvement or adverse findings by an alternate oversight or regulatory or investigative body
- changes to key personnel for the service.
The completed self-assessment should be reviewed by peers or senior staff for accuracy and completeness.
Report on the findings
Report the findings of the self-assessment within the service and to its governing body. This is so that organisation-wide strategies can be developed to support improvement.
For any further information or questions, please contact your Regional office on 1800 951 822 (free call), or for support, please contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission by emailing info@agedcarequality.gov.au.