Quality Standards Resource Centre

This resource is separated into 2 parts: the vision, objectives and target; and the strategic framework and implementation plan. This plan has 6 overarching strategic directions. These directions support the ongoing development of the size, capability and capacity of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce. 

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.

The National Allied Health Workforce Strategy outlines a plan to address workforce challenges, including the shortage of allied health professionals in Australia. It focuses on aligning the supply of professionals with current and future needs, ensuring workforce safety and quality, and enhancing sector-specific data collection. The strategy aims to support workforce planning and development.

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.

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.

This resource provides an overview of various initiatives and programs supporting the rural health workforce in Australia. It includes training programs, scholarships, and recruitment schemes aimed at addressing workforce shortages in rural and remote areas. The resource outlines efforts to improve healthcare access and quality through targeted support for medical and nursing professionals. 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.

This resource outlines the National Medical Workforce Strategy 2021–2031, developed to guide long-term medical planning across Australia. It provides a structured approach to creating a sustainable, well-trained medical workforce. The strategy includes 25 actions under 5 priority areas: collaboration, rebalancing supply, reforming training, building generalist capabilities, and ensuring workforce flexibility. 

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.

The resource provides information on the National Nursing Workforce Strategy, which outlines long-term plans for workforce sustainability, diversity, and development. It supports collaboration among stakeholders, promotes evidence-based care, and addresses challenges in regional and remote areas to ensure quality nursing care across the healthcare system. 

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.

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. 

This resource offers mental health and trauma-informed care materials to support aged care, home care, and disability support workers. Developed with industry consultation, it provides strategies to improve worker wellbeing, manage workplace stress, and integrate trauma-informed practices, addressing common challenges like burnout and occupational stress.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This guide discusses multiculturalism in aged care, addressing the diverse needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) older adults. It covers healthcare principles, communication strategies, clinical considerations, and culturally tailored approaches for areas like medication management, dementia, mental health, nutrition, and substance use. It also provides practical advice for general practitioners, carers, and aged care facilities to deliver culturally safe and effective care.

This guide addresses barriers faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in accessing aged care, such as cultural safety, geographic challenges, and geriatric syndromes experienced at younger ages. It discusses the importance of culturally appropriate care, the use of specific assessment tools, and the unique needs of the Stolen Generation within residential and community settings.

This guide discusses strategies for supporting independent living in older adults, covering concepts of healthy ageing, using aged care services, respite care, and re-aligning function. It highlights the role of general practitioners in promoting autonomy, addressing individual needs, and avoiding ageist language while facilitating access to community or residential care services.

This guide addresses the management of disabilities in older adults, including mobility, cognitive impairments, developmental disabilities, hearing and visual impairment, psychiatric conditions, and neurodegenerative disorders. It outlines approaches for general practitioners to provide holistic care, monitor health risks, adapt support systems, and coordinate with allied health professionals in residential aged care settings.

This guide addresses the healthcare needs of older LGBTI people, covering areas such as mental health, substance use, chronic disease risks, and the importance of inclusive care. It provides strategies for culturally safe practices, promoting wellbeing, recognising abuse, and details standards for LGBTI-inclusive services, such as organisational capability and consumer participation.

This guide discusses managing multimorbidity, which involves the presence of multiple chronic diseases and their impact on older adults' quality of life and independence. It outlines the role of general practitioners in care coordination, shared decision-making, and holistic care approaches, considering the benefits and risks of interventions across residential and community care settings.