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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 42 result(s)
/quality-standards/tools-and-aids-help-home

Tools and aids to help at home

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines tools, aids, and technology to help people with dementia live safely and independently at home. It includes medication reminders, safety devices, communication tools, and sensory aids. The document provides guidance on selecting appropriate tools to support daily tasks, reduce stress, and maintain quality of life at home.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Tools and aids to help at home
/quality-standards/quality-and-safety-home-services-5-key-areas-risk

Quality and safety in home services – 5 key areas of risk

Guidance, Guides
Published date

This resource provides guidance for home service providers on managing key risks in aged care services. It identifies 5 critical areas: organisational governance, care planning and assessment, clinical care, support for vulnerable consumers, and management of Home Care Package funds

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Risk management system, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
2: The Organisation, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
2.4: Risk management, 4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home
Quality and safety in home services - 5 key areas of risk
/quality-standards/environmental-cleaning-and-infection-prevention-and-control-resources

Environmental cleaning and infection prevention and control resources

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource offers a range of environmental cleaning and infection prevention tools for healthcare settings, including guidelines for small organisations, cleaning audits, product selection, and emerging cleaning technologies. It supports aged care providers in maintaining clean, hygienic environments, helping them comply with infection control standards and ensure safety.​ 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment, Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 4.2: Infection prevention and control
Environmental cleaning and infection prevention and control resources
/quality-standards/environmental-design-resources-handbook

Environmental design resources handbook

Guidance

This resource supports improvements to environments for people living with dementia. The resource includes information and background on the key design principles and environmental assessment tools. It also includes the Indigenous Aged Care Design Guide. The handbook can be accessed in full, or individually as 7 separate resources. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Environment, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home, 4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Environmental design resources handbook
/quality-standards/visitor-restrictions

Visitor restrictions

Guidance

This resource provides guidelines on visitor restrictions for aged care services during infectious outbreaks, such as COVID-19. It includes information on managing the impact of restrictions, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of care recipients, and balancing health risks with the need for social connection to prevent negative physical and psychological effects. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
4: The Environment, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 7.1: Daily living
Visitor restrictions
/quality-standards/caring-older-people-heatwaves-home-care-and-chsp

Caring for older people in heatwaves – Home Care and CHSP

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides a checklist for home care and Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) providers to help them prepare for and manage the care of older people during heatwaves. It outlines steps to take before, during, and after heatwaves, ensuring the health and safety of those under their care. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Key Theme
Emergency and disaster management, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
2: The Organisation, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management, 4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home
Caring for older people in heatwaves – Home Care and CHSP
/quality-standards/caring-older-people-heatwaves-residential-aged-care

Caring for Older People in heatwaves – Residential Aged Care

Fact sheet
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance to care for older people living in residential aged care services during a heatwave. The resource includes checklists to guide providers to support older people before, during and after a heatwave. It includes clinical assessment guidance and where to find more information about heatwaves. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Key Theme
Environment, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Caring for Older People in heatwaves – Residential Aged Care
/quality-standards/using-technology-improve-dining-experience

Using technology to improve the dining experience

Guidance

This resource provides guidance on how technology, such as virtual reality (VR) and mobile applications, can enhance the dining experience in aged care settings. These tools are designed to increase engagement, support meal choices, improve communication with families, and contribute to overall wellbeing by making mealtimes more enjoyable. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Food and nutrition
Standard
4: The Environment, 6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 6.4: Dining experience, 7.1: Daily living
Using technology to improve the dining experience
/quality-standards/heaters-and-burns-reducing-heater-burn-risks-residential-aged-care-services

Heaters and burns - Reducing heater burn risks in residential aged care services

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides guidance for aged care providers on managing risks related to hydronic heaters. It advises regular maintenance, accurate temperature checks, and positioning of beds away from heaters. Installing guards and monitoring heat settings are also recommended to prevent burns and ensure the safety of older people in cooler months. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Environment, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Heaters and burns - Reducing heater burn risks in residential aged care services
/quality-standards/hot-water-scalding

Hot water scalding

Guidance
Published date

This page provides guidance for aged care providers on preventing and responding to hot water scalding incidents. It highlights the importance of staff oversight, proper training, and temperature checks when providing care. It also includes immediate first aid steps for burns, helping to reduce risks for vulnerable people, especially older people. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home, 4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Hot water scalding
/quality-standards/home-services

Home services

Guidance

This page provides guidance for home service providers delivering care to older people in their homes. It outlines how providers must follow the Aged Care Quality Standards, conduct regular assessments, manage risks, and ensure the safety of vulnerable people. It includes resources to help providers identify and manage risks. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Environment, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home
Home services
/quality-standards/reprocessing-reusable-medical-devices

Reprocessing of reusable medical devices

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides guidance on implementing updated standards for reprocessing reusable medical devices in health and non-health facilities. It supports compliance with AS 5369:2023, ensuring healthcare organisations follow national and international standards for safe equipment reprocessing to minimise infection risks and promote patient safety. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Reprocessing of reusable medical devices
/quality-standards/keeping-residents-safe-summer

Keeping residents safe this summer

Guidance

This resource offers guidance to aged care providers on keeping older people safe during summer. It includes strategies for managing heat exposure, hydration, and sun protection. It helps providers monitor vulnerable people, recognise signs of overheating, and implement preventative measures to ensure safety during hot weather​. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Emergency and disaster management, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
2: The Organisation, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management, 4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home, 4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Keeping residents safe this summer
/quality-standards/preventing-equipment-failures

Preventing equipment failures

Guidance

This resource highlights the importance of preventing equipment failures in aged care settings. It outlines the need for regular maintenance checks, adherence to manufacturer guidelines, and proper record-keeping to ensure safety. The document also provides recommendations for improving the safety and reliability of critical devices, such as mobility hoists and medical equipment. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Environment, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Preventing equipment failures
/quality-standards/healthy-ageing

Healthy Ageing

Guidance

This resource is a collection of resources on the Tasmanian Government Department of Health webpage about healthy ageing. It includes resources about malnutrition screening, being physically active, and eating well.

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
Environment, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Clinical safety, Food and nutrition
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care, 6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 6.3: Provision of food and drinks
Healthy Ageing
/quality-standards/preventing-falls-home

Preventing falls at home

Fact sheet
Last Updated

This resource provides information on preventing falls at home for older people. It explains common causes of falls, such as poor lighting and slippery surfaces, and offers practical solutions like home modifications, exercise, and footwear adjustments. The document emphasises maintaining safety in and around the home to reduce the risk of falls.

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, Clinical safety
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Preventing falls at home
/quality-standards/improving-accommodation-residential-aged-care

Improving accommodation in residential aged care

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides information on improving accommodation in residential aged care through the National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines, effective from July 2024. It covers areas such as creating dementia-friendly environments, improving access to outdoor spaces, fostering community connections, and ensuring privacy. The guidelines aim to promote independence and a home-like atmosphere. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Key Theme
Environment, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Food and nutrition
Standard
4: The Environment, 6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 6.4: Dining experience, 7.1: Daily living
Improving accommodation in residential aged care
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-b-anticipatory-care

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Anticipatory care

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide outlines anticipatory care planning for older adults, focusing on proactive and person-centred approaches. It details triggers for care planning, identifying vulnerability, medication management, and the use of 'as needed' (PRN) medicines for various conditions like allergic reactions, asthma, diabetes, falls, and palliative care. It includes specific recommendations for developing individualised care plans and appropriate interventions for maintaining health and quality of life.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Environment, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Assessment and planning, Care coordination and transitions, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 3: The Care and Services, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 5.4: Comprehensive care
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Anticipatory care
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-b-older-people-rural-and-remote-communities

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Older people in rural and remote communities

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide discusses providing aged care in rural and remote communities, focusing on the unique needs of older residents, the role of GPs in care coordination, and overcoming challenges like limited services and workforce shortages. It covers building telehealth connections, establishing collaborative care models, and offers a checklist for newly arrived GPs to support quality care for older adults.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Care coordination and transitions, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Workforce and human resources management
Standard
4: The Environment, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care, 2.8: Workforce planning, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Older people in rural and remote communities
/quality-standards/dementia-friendly-environments-dining-areas-kitchens-and-eating

Dementia-friendly environments - Dining areas, kitchens and eating

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidelines for creating dementia-friendly dining and kitchen spaces, emphasising sensory engagement, personalised meal experiences, and a home-like environment. It includes practical adjustments for lighting, noise, seating, and social interaction to enhance dining enjoyment.

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, Food and nutrition
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care, 6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  , 6.4: Dining experience
Dementia-friendly environments - Dining areas, kitchens and eating