Visit the Code of Conduct workers page for information for aged care workers.
Visit the Code of Conduct consumers page for information for aged care consumers.
A Code of Conduct for Aged Care
The Code of Conduct for Aged Care (the Code) has been introduced to improve the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life for people receiving aged care, and to boost trust in services. Watch this video for an introduction to the Code.
The following resources are available to support your understanding of the Code and your obligations:
- Know your Code – free learning module in our Aged Care Learning Information System (Alis)
- Code of Conduct for Aged Care: Guidance for providers
- Code of Conduct for Aged Care – a fact sheet for aged care providers
- Code of Conduct for Aged Care – approved provider readiness checklist
- Your Code – self‑assessment quiz
- case studies
- Code of Conduct for Aged Care – training PowerPoint
Additional resources to support your workforce
The following resources will support your workers and governing persons to understand their obligations:
- Code of Conduct for Aged Care – a fact sheet for aged care workers
- Code of Conduct for Aged Care – worker quick guide
- Code of Conduct for Aged Care – worker poster
- Code of Conduct for Aged Care: Guidance for aged care workers and governing persons
- case studies
Consumer resources
To assist your consumers to understand the Code and what it means for them, the resources below are available, with others to follow soon:
- Fact sheet
- Code of Conduct for Aged Care: Consumer Guidance
- Quick reference guide
- Poster
- Video
- case studies
Visit our resource library to explore all the Code resources available for providers, workers and consumers.
Webinars
We have hosted a series of webinars on the aged care reforms from a regulatory perspective. These include:
Code of Conduct for Aged Care
- Provider webinar: 7 October recording and presentation slides
- Aged care worker webinar: 11 November recording and presentation slides
Visit our Aged Care Reforms webpage for recordings and slides of all our reform webinars, and to keep an eye out for upcoming events.
There are also comprehensive question and answer documents on this webpage which capture our responses to questions raised by providers, workers and peak bodies during our Code and aged care reform webinars.
Further information on the Code is available on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website.
What is the Code of Conduct for Aged Care?
The Code of Conduct for Aged Care (the Code) aims to improve the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life for people receiving aged care. It also aims to build confidence and trust in aged care, and bring a strong focus to a person’s right to receive safe and quality services.
The Code has been developed based on the existing National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Code of Conduct.
Who is covered by the Code?
The Code sets out standards of expected behaviours and applies equally to:
- approved aged care providers
- their governing persons (e.g. board members and Chief Executive Officers)
- aged care workers who are:
- employed or otherwise engaged (including on a voluntary basis) by the provider
- employed or otherwise engaged (including on a voluntary basis) by a contractor or subcontractor of the provider to provide care or other services to consumers.
The Code applies to approved providers of residential, home care and flexible care services. Flexible care includes the Transition Care Program, Multi-Purpose Services Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Program.
The Code does not apply to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program (NATSIFACP) however CHSP and NATSIFACP providers will be required to provide care that is safe and respectful and to behave in a way that aligns with the Code.
What are your responsibilities?
Your responsibilities under the new Code are consistent with your existing obligations under the Aged Care Act 1997 (the Act), including the Aged Care Quality Standards.
As an approved provider, you have responsibilities under the Act to comply with the Code and to take reasonable steps to support, equip and prepare your workers and governing persons to carry out their roles. This includes, for example, providing training, making sure policies and procedures are easily accessible and ensuring your aged care workers and governing persons comply with the Code.
What are your governing persons and worker responsibilities?
Governing persons and aged care workers of approved providers have responsibilities under the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018 (Commission Act) to comply with the Code.
The Code of Conduct for Aged Care: Guidance for aged care workers and governing persons describes those responsibilities, the types of conduct covered by the Code and information about what the Code means in practice.
The Commission’s role
We are responsible for overseeing compliance with the Code.
Depending on the circumstances, we will take compliance and enforcement action to direct changes to the way a provider and/or an individual conducts themselves.
The legislation includes protections to ensure providers or individuals are given the chance to respond to concerns raised. Appropriate procedural fairness applies.
We have access to a range of actions to respond to different situations. In severe cases, actions may include banning a current or former worker or governing person from working in the aged care sector or, in the case of approved providers, applying a sanction or revoking their approved provider status.
An Aged Care Banning Orders Register (the Register) will be maintained with information relating to individuals against whom a banning order has been made.
Aged care reform and the Code
The Australian government’s Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Act 2022 implements 9 measures to improve accountability and transparency in response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
The Code of Conduct is one of these measures, addressing recommendations 77 and 103.
The Royal Commission’s Final Report Care Dignity and Respect recommended increased protections for consumers from workers who pose an unacceptable risk of harm.
Contact
To make an enquiry, submit feedback, a concern or a complaint, you can:
- complete our online contact form
- free call 1800 951 822.