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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 70 result(s)
/quality-standards/star-ratings

Star ratings

Guidance

This resource explains the star rating system for residential aged care homes, which helps people make informed care decisions. It outlines ratings based on compliance, quality measures, residents’ experiences, and staffing minutes. Providers are evaluated on their performance, with ratings updated daily to reflect changes in compliance. 

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
Accountability and quality system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures
Star ratings
/quality-standards/sector-performance

Sector performance

Report

This resource provides quarterly reports on the performance of the aged care sector, including data on residential care audits, home services quality reviews, complaints, and Serious Incident Response Scheme notifications. The reports offer insights into sector-wide performance and help providers monitor compliance and improve service quality​. 

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
Accountability and quality system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures
Sector performance
/quality-standards/review-requests

Review requests

Guidance

This resource outlines the process for aged care providers to request a reconsideration of regulatory decisions. It explains how to submit a request, including the timeline and required information. Providers and quality assessors can seek reviews through this process to address any concerns regarding regulatory 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.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Accountability and quality system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures
Review requests
/quality-standards/isbar-poster

ISBAR Poster

Poster
Last Updated

This poster is a tool for improving clinical handover. It outlines the principles of ISBAR: Introduction, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation. This supports clinical conversations to be clear, focused and relevant. 

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, Care coordination and transitions
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care
ISBAR Poster
/quality-standards/regulatory-strategy-2024-25

Regulatory Strategy 2024–25

Corporate publications
Published date

Our Regulatory Strategy sets out how the Commission will deliver on our goals and commitments. 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.

Regulatory Strategy 2024–25  (PDF  1.08 MB)
Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Accountability and quality system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures
Regulatory strategy 2024 cover page
/quality-standards/reporting-residential-aged-care

Reporting for residential aged care

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines the reporting requirements for approved residential aged care providers. It includes instructions for submitting the Aged Care Financial Report (ACFR), General Purpose Financial Statement (GPFS), and Annual Prudential Compliance Statement (APCS). It also covers quality reporting under the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program, ensuring transparency and compliance with regulatory 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.

Author
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Key Theme
Accountability and quality system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures
Reporting for residential aged care
/quality-standards/quality-aged-care-gen-data-page

Quality in aged care - Gen Data Page

Guidance, Report
Last Updated

This resource provides an overview of quality indicators and consumer experience surveys in aged care. It details mandatory quality metrics, including physical and clinical indicators, and feedback from people in aged care, offering insights into service performance and supporting informed choices in 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.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Accountability and quality system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures
Quality in aged care - Gen Data Page
/quality-standards/national-aged-care-mandatory-quality-indicator-program

National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program

Guidance

The National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program aids residential aged care providers in enhancing their services by allowing them to benchmark their performance against national outcomes. The program resource provides guidance on data submission frequency, explains the program's role, and provides more information on open hours and contact details. 

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
Accountability and quality system
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures, 2.2a: Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support aged care workers to deliver quality care, 2.2b: Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support individuals
National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program
/quality-standards/national-consensus-statement-essential-elements-recognising-and-responding-acute-physical-deterioration

National Consensus Statement - Essential elements for recognising and responding to acute physical deterioration

Guidance
Published date

This consensus statement outlines essential elements for recognising and responding to acute physiological deterioration in healthcare settings. It covers clinical processes like vital signs monitoring, diagnosis, and rapid response systems, as well as organisational aspects such as leadership, education, and evaluation. It provides generic information that can be applied to the aged care setting.

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
Care coordination and transitions, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Assessment and planning
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care, 3.1 Assessment and planning
National Consensus Statement - Essential elements for recognising and responding to acute physical deterioration
/quality-standards/non-compliance

Non-compliance

Guidance

This resource outlines the processes for managing non-compliance in aged care services. It includes information on banning orders, enforceable undertakings, and how the Commission addresses non-compliance through monitoring, complaints directions, and enforcement policies. Providers can also search for performance reports to track compliance​. 

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
Accountability and quality system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures
Non-compliance
/quality-standards/governing-reform-aged-care-program

Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program

Guidance

This resource outlines the Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program, designed to strengthen corporate and clinical governance capabilities for aged care leaders. It provides tools, online learning modules, webinars, and podcasts to support governance improvement and help leaders engage in reform efforts. 

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
Corporate and clinical governance, Accountability and quality system, Risk management system, Incident management system, Feedback and complaints management system, Information management system, Workforce and human resources management, Emergency and disaster management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.1: Partnering with individuals, 2.2a: Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support aged care workers to deliver quality care, 2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures, 2.4: Risk management, 2.5: Incident management, 2.6a: Complaints and feedback management for aged care workers, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals, 2.7: Information management, 2.8: Workforce planning, 2.9: Human resource management, 2.10: Emergency and disaster management
Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program
/quality-standards/provider-governance-policy

Provider Governance Policy

Guidance, Policy
Published date

Under the new Act, registered providers will need to meet certain governance obligations.

Our Provider Governance Policy outlines our expectations of providers and guiding principles of good governance. It includes:

  • definitions and principles of good governance
  • provider governance obligations
  • how we collect provider governance information  
  • how we respond to provider governance risks.
Provider Governance Policy  (PDF  2.07 MB)
Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Accountability and quality system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures
Provider governance policy
/quality-standards/your-questions-answered-compliance

Your questions answered – Compliance

Video
Published date
Last Updated

In this video, Peter Edwards, Executive Director, Compliance and Enforcement Group, answers your questions about how we will manage non-compliance from 1 November 2025. 

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Accountability and quality system, Risk management system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures, 2.4: Risk management
Your questions answered – Compliance
/quality-standards/what-open-disclosure-video

What is open disclosure? - video

Video
Published date
Last Updated

This video explains open disclosure and what older people can expect from their registered provider during the process. It highlights key aspects such as communication, transparency, and how concerns will be addressed. 

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Accountability and quality system, Feedback and complaints management system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures, 2.6a: Complaints and feedback management for aged care workers, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals
Open disclosure - video
/quality-standards/allied-health-regulation

Allied health regulation

Guidance

This resource provides information about the regulation of allied health professions in Australia. It includes those registered under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) and self-regulating professions managed by professional peak bodies. It also provides links to further information about allied health professions currently registered with AHPRA and information for overseas-qualified practitioners.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Assessment and planning, Care coordination and transitions
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care, 2.8: Workforce planning, 2.9: Human resource management
Allied health regulation
/quality-standards/about-speech-pathologists-aged-care

About speech pathologists - Aged care

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource discusses the role of speech pathologists in supporting older people with communication and swallowing disorders caused by ageing, neurological conditions, and other health factors. It highlights the prevalence of communication and swallowing difficulties in aged care, their impacts, and how speech pathology services promote independence, participation, and quality of life through assessment, therapy, and tailored interventions.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Care coordination and transitions, Assessment and planning, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care
About speech pathologists - Aged care
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-multimorbidity

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Multimorbidity

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidelines for managing patients with multimorbidity in aged care settings. It includes frameworks for assessing treatment burden, identifying patients at risk, and developing individualised care plans. It recommends validated tools for screening, a focus on quality of life, and strategies for medication review and care coordination.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Care coordination and transitions, Assessment and planning, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Multimorbidity
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-b-physiology-ageing

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Physiology of ageing

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide reviews the physiological changes associated with ageing across multiple body systems, including cardiovascular, nervous, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, immune, skin, haematological, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems. It also discusses clinical manifestations of these changes, implications for care, and provides recommendations for adjusting clinical practice to meet the needs of older adults, including medication reviews, hydration, mobility support, and preventive health strategies.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Assessment and planning
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Physiology of ageing
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-b-geriatric-syndromes

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

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide outlines the challenges of diagnosing and managing geriatric syndromes, describing clusters like immobility, instability, incontinence, frailty, sarcopenia, and cognitive impairment. It introduces the 'Geriatric 5Ms' framework: Mind, Mobility, Medications, Mult complexity, and Matters Most, which assists in comprehensive assessment and care planning for older adults, focusing on mental health, physical function, medication review, complex health needs, and care goals.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Care coordination and transitions, Assessment and planning, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Geriatric syndromes
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-b-provision-after-hours-aged-care-services

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Provision of after-hours aged care services

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide details the provision of after-hours care for older adults in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and the community. It covers collaborative agreements between GPs and RACFs, processes to reduce emergency department visits, hospital avoidance strategies, and the importance of coordinating multidisciplinary care. It also addresses infrastructure needs, support staff availability, and funding arrangements to ensure quality care during after-hours periods.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Care coordination and transitions, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Provision of after-hours aged care services