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.
Visitor restrictions
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.
Outbreak Management Plan - stress testing outline
Having a comprehensive and organisation-specific outbreak management plan (OMP) helps your organisation to be prepared for the management of infections and outbreaks within your service. A key part of this readiness is ensuring that your OMP is fit-for-purpose and that everyone across the organisation can implement it if required. One way to maintain readiness and support continuous improvement of your OMP is to run regular drills, or stress tests, of your plan.
Your questions answered - Influenza
This resource answers common questions about influenza vaccination. It explains the importance of annual flu vaccines, who should get vaccinated, and how the vaccine works. It highlights the vaccine's role in preventing serious complications, particularly for older adults, children, pregnant people, and those with chronic health conditions.
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.
Australian Immunisation Handbook - Updates to Handbook
This resource provides a summary of recent updates made to the Australian Immunisation Handbook. It details changes to vaccine recommendations, including the removal of discontinued vaccines, new vaccines for diseases, and revised guidance for specific populations such as pregnant women and immunocompromised 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.
Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA)
This resource provides an overview of the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA), which coordinates national surveillance and prevention of communicable diseases. It outlines CDNA’s role in managing outbreaks, developing policy, and strengthening disease control. The document supports collaboration with national and international partners to prevent and manage disease outbreaks effectively.
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.
COVID-19 vaccine advice and recommendations for 2024
This resource provides the latest COVID-19 vaccine advice for 2024. It covers primary vaccination doses, booster eligibility, general facts about vaccines and the latest data for case numbers and vaccinations. It also includes vaccine information for specific groups of people including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people in aged care and people with disability.
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.
Dealing with infectious outbreaks
This resource provides guidance for aged care providers on managing infectious outbreaks. It includes information on visitor access, visitor restrictions, and innovative practices to maintain residents' health and safety. It also covers essential steps for visitors to take to protect themselves and residents during outbreaks.
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.
Give flu the boot
This resource promotes the free influenza vaccine for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older. It explains the benefits of flu vaccination, including reducing the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation, and provides guidance on when and where to receive the vaccine to protect communities from influenza.
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.
Guidance for implementation of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard in aged care
This resources provides information to implement policies and practices to meet the requirements of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care's Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard. The guidance is relevant in aged care organisations and providers in residential, community and home-based settings where clinical care is provided.
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.
Government support for providers and workers
This resource outlines government support for aged care providers managing COVID-19 outbreaks. It covers funding through the Outbreak Management Support Supplement, surge workforce programs, infection prevention measures, vaccination assistance, and mental health resources to help providers maintain care quality and safety during outbreaks.
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.
Sustainability and infection prevention and control
This resource highlights the importance of environmentally sustainable infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in healthcare. It covers fundamental practices such as hand hygiene and sustainable glove use, providing guidance on reducing environmental impact while maintaining safety and quality. It also links to relevant IPC guidelines for aged care settings.
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.
Vaccination for people at occupational risk
This resource provides vaccination guidelines for people in occupations with increased risk of exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases. It outlines recommended vaccinations for healthcare workers, carers, emergency services, and others in high-risk environments. The document supports the development of vaccination policies and programs to protect workers and the people they serve.
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.
Supporting visitors and partners in care with IPC
This resource offers guidance for aged care providers on supporting visitors and partners in care through infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. It includes training resources to help visitors follow IPC protocols and maintain safe care, especially during infectious outbreaks, through the 'Partnerships in Care' program.
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.
ICEG-endorsed resources for infection prevention and control
This resource collection includes guidance on infection prevention and control practices endorsed by the Infection Prevention and Control Expert Group (ICEG). It supports health and aged care providers with best practices related to COVID-19, personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning, disinfection, and minimising transmission risks in institutional and community settings.
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.
Immunisations for health care workers
This resource outlines recommended immunisations for healthcare workers, emphasising the importance of vaccination to prevent disease transmission to vulnerable populations. It lists vaccines such as Hepatitis B, Influenza, MMR, Pertussis, and Varicella, and highlights more requirements for workers in specific settings or with higher risks of exposure.
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.
Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (SABSI) prevention resources
This resource offers guidelines for preventing Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (SABSI) in healthcare settings. It covers infection control strategies, including hand hygiene, device management, and surgical site care, helping organisations reduce infection risks and comply with national SABSI prevention standards.
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.
Shield yourself from shingles
This resource provides information on the shingles vaccine, which is free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over. It explains the risks of shingles, vaccination locations, and potential side effects. The document encourages older adults to discuss vaccination with their healthcare professional to protect against shingles.
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.
Sepsis Clinical Care Standard
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care's Sepsis Clinical Care Standard 2022 outlines 7 quality statements to ensure early recognition and best-practice care for sepsis, reducing risks of death and complications. It includes indicators for monitoring care and ensuring timely treatment. Applicable to multiple settings, including aged care, it supports high-quality sepsis management and improved outcomes.
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.
Infection Prevention in the Home
This resource provides guidance on infection prevention in home care settings, highlighting challenges such as the unpredictability of home environments and lack of basic hygiene resources. It explains how to apply standard and transmission-based precautions, manage infection hazards, and involve clients in maintaining infection control practices to 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.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection
This resource provides information about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common and highly contagious respiratory virus. It explains symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention, highlighting that RSV can be serious for infants and older adults with chronic conditions. It also details how RSV cases are monitored through national surveillance systems.
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.