Skip to main content

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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 104 result(s)
/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/standardised-care-processes

Standardised care processes

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource offers evidence-based standardised care processes for aged care providers, covering high-risk clinical areas such as falls, pain, incontinence, and dehydration. It provides structured guidelines to support best practices, ensuring consistent and safe care for older people in residential 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
Medication management, Clinical safety, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Palliative and end of life care, Food and nutrition
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
5.3: Safe and quality use of medicines, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  , 5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 6.3: Provision of food and drinks
Standardised care processes
/quality-standards/participating-consumers

Participating with consumers

Fact sheet
Last Updated

This resource provides information sheets for residents, families, and carers to support decision-making in residential aged care. Covering topics such as pain management, falls, and medicines, it promotes health literacy, enabling consumers to engage in discussions and report care issues effectively.

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, Care coordination and transitions, Medication management, Clinical safety, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Palliative and end of life care
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
3.1 Assessment and planning, 3.4: Planning and coordination of funded aged care services, 5.3: Safe and quality use of medicines, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  , 5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
Participating with consumers
/quality-standards/pressure-injury-prevention-resources-clinicians

Pressure injury prevention - Resources for clinicians

Guidance

This resource provides education and tools for clinicians on pressure injury prevention, including risk assessment, prevention strategies, and management protocols. It offers flowcharts, classifications, and case examples to support consistent care. This resource applies to healthcare contexts outside of aged 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
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Pressure injury prevention - Resources for clinicians
/quality-standards/nutrition-and-hydration-eating-well-prevent-falls

Nutrition and hydration - Eating well to prevent falls

Guidance

This resource provides specifications for adult diets tailored to inpatient use in NSW hospitals, including allergy-specific and therapeutic requirements. Although intended for inpatients, it can serve as general guidance for dietitians and food service providers in creating meal plans for diverse health needs. This resource applies to healthcare contexts outside of aged 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
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Nutrition and hydration - Eating well to prevent falls
/quality-standards/program-experience-palliative-approach-pepa

Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA)

Guidance

This page provides resources about palliative care for health professionals. The education resources support placement and workshop learning, but can be used for self-directed learning.

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
Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA)
/quality-standards/resource-sheets-workers-social-emotional-and-cultural-wellbeing-online-resources-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-people

Resource sheets for workers – Social, emotional and cultural wellbeing online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

Guidance

This resource offers a collection of topic-based resource sheets for workers, covering wellbeing issues relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It includes information on topics like alcohol, anxiety, cultural identity, depression, and trauma. The resources consist of videos, fact sheets, podcasts, apps, and websites to support practitioners and the wellbeing workforce.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety, Assessment and planning, Person-centred care
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 3: The Care and Services, 1: The Individual
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 1.1: Person-centred care, 3.1 Assessment and planning
Resource sheets for workers – Social, emotional and cultural wellbeing online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
/quality-standards/national-consensus-statement-essential-elements-safe-and-high-quality-end-life-care

National Consensus Statement: Essential elements for safe and high-quality end-of-life care

Report
Published date

This resource outlines the National Consensus Statement on essential elements for safe and high-quality end-of-life care in Australia. It provides guiding principles, care processes, and organisational processes, focusing on person-centred communication, multidisciplinary collaboration, and culturally appropriate care. The statement is designed for healthcare workers, service executives, and policy makers to enhance end-of-life care delivery. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Palliative and end of life care
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
National Consensus Statement: Essential elements for safe and high-quality end-of-life care
/quality-standards/fact-sheet-oral-health-care-adult-inpatients

Fact sheet - Oral health care for adult inpatients

Fact sheet

This resource provides guidance on oral health care for adult inpatients, aligning with the Comprehensive Care Standard. It outlines the importance of oral health assessment, daily care, infection control, and discharge planning to prevent adverse outcomes such as infections, dehydration, and malnutrition, enhancing patient experience and care quality. 

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Fact sheet - Oral health care for adult inpatients
/quality-standards/overview-voluntary-assisted-dying

Overview of Voluntary Assisted Dying

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides an overview of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in Australia, detailing eligibility criteria, procedures, and legal requirements. It covers how VAD laws vary across jurisdictions, safeguards in place, and responsibilities for health professionals and institutions. Health professionals can conscientiously object but may still have legal responsibilities.

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
Overview of Voluntary Assisted Dying
/quality-standards/older-people-and-falls

Older people and falls

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides information on the causes, treatments, and prevention of falls in older people. It outlines risk factors, such as home hazards and health conditions, and offers practical tips for reducing falls, including lifestyle changes, home modifications, and medical assessments. The document emphasises the importance of fall prevention in aged care settings.

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
Older people and falls
/quality-standards/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-clinical-care-standard

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Clinical Care Standard

Guidance
Published date

This Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care clinical care standards provides guidelines for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to reduce hospitalisations and improve outcomes. It includes quality statements, care indicators, and palliative care considerations to support best practices and enhance the quality of life for people with COPD. This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Clinical Care Standard
/quality-standards/indigenous-program-experience-palliative-approach

Indigenous Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach

Guidance

This page provides resources about palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, and resources to support the non-Indigenous workforce provide culturally-responsive palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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
Indigenous Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach
/quality-standards/advance-care-planning-information-health-service-organisations

Advance care planning - Information for health service organisations

Guidance
Published date

This resource outlines how health service organisations can support advance care planning within the Comprehensive Care Standard (National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards). It highlights the importance of documenting a patient’s preferences for future care and ensuring systems are in place to act on these plans. It also provides actions related to policies, sharing decisions, comprehensive care, and clinical handover. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Palliative and end of life care, Assessment and planning
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care, 3.1 Assessment and planning
Advance care planning - Information for health service organisations
/quality-standards/national-palliative-care-standards-all-health-professionals-and-aged-care-services

National Palliative Care Standards for All Health Professionals and Aged Care Services

Guidance

The National Palliative Care Standards provide guidance for all health professionals and aged care services to deliver high-quality generalist palliative care. They support improved experiences and outcomes for people receiving care, and are intended for use across diverse care settings. Resources like audit tools and fact sheets are available to aid self-assessment and adherence to these standards​.

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
National Palliative Care Standards for All Health Professionals and Aged Care Services
/quality-standards/gwandalan-supporting-palliative-care-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-communities

Gwandalan – Supporting Palliative Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

Guidance

This resource provides culturally appropriate palliative care education and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It includes resources, videos, and training materials aimed at improving understanding, communication, and care practices in end-of-life care, integrating cultural beliefs and values to enhance quality care for Indigenous Australians.

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
Gwandalan – Supporting Palliative Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
/quality-standards/palliative-care-knowledge-network

Palliative care knowledge network

Guidance

This resource provides evidence-based information and resources on palliative care for health professionals, patients and carers. It covers clinical practice, education, research, and service delivery. The platform aims to improve understanding, decision-making, and quality of care for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

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 care knowledge network