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Aged care laws in Australia have now changed. The new Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care Rules 2025 now apply. While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations and legal responsibilities. Thank you for your patience.

Quality Standards Resource Centre

The Quality Standards Resource Centre helps extend understanding of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, which take effect from 1 November 2025. The Resource Centre will be updated to reflect key changes made to the draft strengthened Standards. You can search for resources by using keywords, or filtering by standard, outcome, audience and theme. Before using the Resource Centre, please read the terms of use.

Displaying 21 to 40 of 275 result(s)
/quality-standards/guide-completing-mini-nutritional-assessment-short-form

A guide to completing the Mini Nutritional Assessment – Short Form

Tool

This resource is a guide and video for using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) to identify malnutrition in older people. It explains question scoring, interpretation, and measurement procedures, with a video demonstration.

This resource was developed internationally and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Assessment and planning, Clinical safety, Food and nutrition
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care, 6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
3.1 Assessment and planning, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences
A guide to completing the Mini Nutritional Assessment – Short Form
/quality-standards/eat-10-swallowing-screening-tool

EAT-10: A Swallowing Screening Tool

Tool
Published date

This resource offers a self-assessment tool to screen for swallowing difficulties by rating various aspects of swallowing function. A score of 3 or higher suggests potential issues that may require discussion with a healthcare provider.

This resource was developed internationally and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Assessment and planning, Clinical safety, Food and nutrition
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care, 6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
3.1 Assessment and planning, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences
EAT-10: A Swallowing Screening Tool
/quality-standards/medication-safety-transitions-care-technical-report

Medication safety in transitions of care: technical report

Report
Published date

This resource outlines key actions to improve medication safety during transitions of care, focusing on reducing medication discrepancies and patient harm. It emphasises structured reconciliation, workforce training, patient engagement, and enhanced information systems.

This resource was developed internationally and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Medication management
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.3: Safe and quality use of medicines
Medication safety in transitions of care: technical report
/quality-standards/medication-safety-polypharmacy-technical-report

Medication safety in polypharmacy: technical report

Report
Published date

This resource provides guidance on safe medication management in polypharmacy, focusing on patient-centred approaches, team collaboration, and systematic reviews for people with long-term conditions. It includes tools and case studies to support health professionals.

This resource was developed internationally and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Medication management
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.3: Safe and quality use of medicines
Medication safety in polypharmacy: technical report
/quality-standards/5-moments-medication-safety

5 moments for medication safety

Tool
Published date

This tool helps patients, caregivers, and health professionals manage medication safety by focusing on 5 critical moments to reduce harm: starting, taking, adding, reviewing, and stopping medications. It aims to empower patients in safe medication practices through engagement and collaboration with health professionals.

This resource was developed internationally and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Medication management
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.3: Safe and quality use of medicines
5 moments for medication safety
/quality-standards/my-5-moments-hand-hygiene-focus-caring-patient-urinary-catheter

My 5 moments for hand hygiene: focus on caring for a patient with a urinary catheter

Poster
Published date

This resource outlines the ‘5 Moments for Hand Hygiene’ with specific considerations for patients with urinary catheters, aiming to minimise infection risks. It provides steps for appropriate hand hygiene before and after touching the patient, performing aseptic procedures, and handling catheter equipment.

This resource was developed internationally and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
My 5 moments for hand hygiene: focus on caring for a patient with a urinary catheter
/quality-standards/global-strategy-infection-prevention-and-control

Global strategy on infection prevention and control

Guidance

This resource provides a global framework for infection prevention and control (IPC) in healthcare settings, aiming to reduce healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance. It offers strategic directions for achieving measurable improvements by 2030, supporting patient safety, healthcare worker protection, and sustainable health outcomes worldwide.

This resource was developed internationally and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Global strategy on infection prevention and control
/quality-standards/tailored-model-palliative-care-people-intellectual-disability

Tailored model of palliative care for people with intellectual disability

Guidance
Published date

This model provides a framework for delivering tailored palliative care for people with intellectual disabilities, aiming for equitable access across various care settings. Supporting toolkits offer resources for health professionals and families to enhance communication and collaborative care.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Palliative and end of life care
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
Tailored model of palliative care for people with intellectual disability
/quality-standards/improving-palliative-care-toolkit-health-professionals

Improving palliative care - Toolkit for health professionals

Guidance
Published date

This toolkit supports health professionals in delivering palliative care for people with intellectual disabilities by providing resources, guidance on communication, and tailored care strategies. It aims to enhance service quality through understanding specific needs and collaborative care planning.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Palliative and end of life care
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
Improving palliative care - Toolkit for health professionals
/quality-standards/palliative-aged-care-outcomes-program-resources

Palliative Aged Care Outcomes Program - Resources

Guidance

This resource offers tools and guidelines for palliative care outcome measurement, including assessment scales for symptom severity, frailty, and daily living activities. It supports clinicians and managers in implementing standardised data collection to improve care quality in aged care settings.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Palliative and end of life care
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
Palliative Aged Care Outcomes Program - Resources
/quality-standards/isbar-identify-situation-background-assessment-and-recommendation

ISBAR - Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation

Guidance

This resource describes the ISBAR communication tool—Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation—used to improve safety during handovers in clinical settings. It includes adaptable resources like fact sheets and lanyard cards to support consistent, structured information transfer.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Care coordination and transitions
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care
ISBAR - Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation
/quality-standards/better-oral-health-home-care

Better Oral Health - Home Care

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides practical guidance for maintaining oral health in home care settings, outlining key processes such as assessment, care planning, daily care, and referral to dental professionals. It includes preventative strategies to support older people’s oral health. This resource is state-specific. Please consider the applicability of this resource to your care setting.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Better Oral Health - Home Care
/quality-standards/better-oral-health-residential-care

Better Oral Health - Residential Care

Guidance

This resource provides a structured approach to oral health care in residential aged care, including assessment, care planning, daily oral care, and referral pathways. It includes training, guidelines, and tools to support staff in promoting oral health for older people with complex needs.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Assessment and planning, Clinical safety
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
3.1 Assessment and planning, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Better Oral Health - Residential Care
/quality-standards/nsw-fall-prevention-and-healthy-ageing-network-resources

NSW Fall Prevention and Healthy Ageing Network - Resources

Guidance

This resource provides a comprehensive library of best-practice resources for falls prevention and healthy ageing across various care settings. It offers materials tailored to hospital, residential, community, and dementia care environments, supporting safe and active ageing

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
NSW Fall Prevention and Healthy Ageing Network - Resources
/quality-standards/food-and-nutrition-manual-aged-care-homes-swallowing-and-food-textures

Food and Nutrition Manual for Aged Care Homes - Swallowing and food textures

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides guidelines on managing swallowing difficulties in aged care by using texture-modified diets and thickened fluids. It explains various food texture levels and fluid consistencies for safe swallowing, offers practical meal preparation tips, and highlights the importance of regular reassessment by a speech pathologist

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety, Food and nutrition
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 6.3: Provision of food and drinks
Food and Nutrition Manual for Aged Care Homes - Swallowing and food textures
/quality-standards/best-practice-food-and-nutrition-manual-aged-care

Best Practice Food and Nutrition Manual for Aged Care

Guidance
Published date

This manual offers practical guidelines on food and nutrition best practices in aged care homes, covering menu planning, meal enjoyment, hydration, and malnutrition prevention. It includes checklists, screening tools, and dietary considerations tailored to the needs of older people.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety, Food and nutrition
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 6.3: Provision of food and drinks, 6.4: Dining experience
Best Practice Food and Nutrition Manual for Aged Care
/quality-standards/dementia-friendly-environments-personal-enjoyment

Dementia-friendly environments - Personal enjoyment

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on fostering personal enjoyment for people with dementia, encouraging meaningful activities based on life history and familiar roles. It includes ideas for sensory engagement, physical activity, and social connection in home-like settings.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  
Dementia-friendly environments - Personal enjoyment
/quality-standards/dementia-friendly-environments-interior-design

Dementia-friendly environments - Interior design

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on interior design elements that create a familiar, practical, and dementia-friendly environment. It includes strategies for lighting, colour, furniture, and surfaces to enhance safety, wayfinding, and comfort in care settings.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  
Dementia-friendly environments - Interior design
/quality-standards/dementia-friendly-environments-designing-people-dementia

Dementia-friendly environments - Designing for people with dementia

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides design principles for creating dementia-friendly environments that support comfort, independence, and a sense of home. It includes guidance on optimising lighting, safety, social connection, and personalised spaces to enhance quality of life.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  
Dementia-friendly environments - Designing for people with dementia
/quality-standards/infection-control-guidelines

Infection Control Guidelines

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides infection control guidelines for managing infectious diseases in care settings, covering protocols for exposure to blood and body fluids, managing respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, and handling high-risk infections. It includes standard precautions, waste disposal, and cleaning procedures to maintain safety and reduce transmission.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Infection Control Guidelines