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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 50 result(s)
/quality-standards/complaints-concerns

Complaints & concerns

Guidance

This resource explains how to raise complaints or concerns about aged care services. It outlines the complaints process, how to submit confidential or anonymous complaints, and the importance of good complaints handling in improving care quality. Providers are required to have systems for addressing and resolving complaints. 

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
Feedback and complaints management system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.6a: Complaints and feedback management for aged care workers, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals
Complaints & concerns
/quality-standards/consumer-advisory-bodies

Consumer advisory bodies

Guidance

This resource explains the role of consumer advisory bodies in aged care, which provide feedback to governing bodies on care and services. It outlines the process for joining, the importance of feedback in decision-making, and the responsibility of providers to offer participation opportunities annually​. 

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
Feedback and complaints management system, Person-centred care
Standard
2: The Organisation, 1: The Individual
Outcomes
2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals, 1.1: Person-centred care
Consumer advisory bodies
/quality-standards/raising-concerns-and-making-effective-complaint

Raising concerns and making an effective complaint

Guidance

This resource provides guidance on how to raise concerns and make an effective complaint in aged care. It offers practical tips, a checklist, and tools to help people clearly communicate their issues with service providers. It also explains how to escalate complaints to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission if necessary. 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
Feedback and complaints management system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals
Raising concerns and making an effective complaint
/quality-standards/older-persons-advocacy-network

Older Persons Advocacy Network

Guidance

This resource provides information on aged care advocacy services, offering free and confidential support to older people receiving government-funded aged care. It includes resources to help people understand their rights, navigate the aged care system, and access advocacy for issues such as care quality, decision-making, and protection from harm. 

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
Choice, independence and quality of life, Feedback and complaints management system
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals
Older Persons Advocacy Network
/quality-standards/first-nations-visual-information-sheet-your-rights-when-accessing-aged-care

First Nations - Visual information sheet - Your rights when accessing aged care

Guidance
Published date
Yarning about your aged care  (PDF  645.07 KB)
Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Feedback and complaints management system
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals
Yarning aged care
/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/first-aid-fact-sheet-choking-adult-or-child-over-1-year

First aid fact sheet - Choking adult or child (over 1 year)

Fact sheet
Last Updated

This fact sheet provides first aid instructions for choking in adults or children over one year. It details recognising choking symptoms and steps for emergency care and guidance to call emergency services if necessary.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Food and nutrition, Clinical safety
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services
First aid fact sheet -  Choking adult or child (over 1 year)
/quality-standards/improving-patient-outcomes-through-medical-nutrition-therapy

Improving patient outcomes through Medical Nutrition Therapy

Guidance
Published date

This resource outlines the role of Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) in medical nutrition therapy across various health conditions, including those common in aged care. It includes indications for referral to an APD and highlights benefits such as improved nutritional status, symptom management, and enhanced health outcomes. This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care. Please consider the applicability of this resource to your care setting.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Food and nutrition, Clinical safety
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Improving patient outcomes through Medical Nutrition Therapy
/quality-standards/effective-incident-management-education-pack

Effective incident management education pack

Guidance, Presentations
Published date

The Effective incident management education pack is designed for providers to deliver to their own staff. It can be delivered in full or delivered as a series of shorter sessions where you can focus on the sections that are most relevant to your setting or the time you have available. 

This pack will support your staff to understand the role they play in effectively managing incidents at your aged care service and help them understand what an incident management system is and its key elements. 

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, 2.5: Incident management, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals
Effective incident management education pack
/quality-standards/centre-cultural-diversity-ageing-resources

Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing - Resources

Guidance

This page offers a wide range of resources aimed at helping aged care providers deliver culturally inclusive services. It includes multilingual communication cards, cultural care plans, and practice guides that help address the cultural, linguistic, and spiritual needs of people in care. The resources make sure aged care services are accessible, safe, and appropriate for culturally and linguistically diverse populations​.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Corporate and clinical governance, Care coordination and transitions, Food and nutrition
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services, 6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 2.1: Partnering with individuals, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 3.4: Planning and coordination of funded aged care services, 6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences
Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing - Resources
/quality-standards/eat-health-australian-dietary-guidelines

Eat for health: Australian dietary guidelines

Guidance

This resource provides up-to-date advice on the types and amounts of food needed for health and wellbeing, based on the Australian dietary guidelines. It includes recommendations for balanced eating patterns, addressing chronic disease risk, and offers resources such as brochures, posters, and guides for different population groups, including children and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Food and nutrition
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
6.3: Provision of food and drinks, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences
Eat for health: Australian dietary guidelines
/quality-standards/embracing-food-diverse-cultures

Embracing food from diverse cultures

Guidance

This resource provides a module designed to help aged care chefs and cooks manage the nutritional needs and food preferences of culturally diverse populations. It focuses on supporting cultural traditions, involving people in menu planning, and enhancing engagement during meals. The module offers practical skills, recipes, and continuous access to resources, promoting inclusivity in aged care dining service.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Food and nutrition
Standard
1: The Individual, 6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences
Embracing food from diverse cultures
/quality-standards/nutrition

Nutrition

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on nutrition for people in palliative care. It highlights the importance of prioritising comfort and quality of life over nutritional intake. It discusses oral intake, artificial hydration, and medically assisted nutrition, emphasising communication with families and cultural considerations when managing nutrition and hydration at the end of life.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety, Food and nutrition
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Nutrition
/quality-standards/food-and-nutrition-practice-guide

Food and nutrition - Practice guide

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource focuses on culturally inclusive food and nutrition practices in aged care settings. It outlines the importance of considering cultural, religious, and personal food preferences when preparing meals. The guide suggests involving people in menu planning, conducting regular dietary assessments, and providing culturally appropriate meals and utensils. The resource also highlights the value of celebrating cultural events and ensuring meals meet both nutritional needs and cultural expectations.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Food and nutrition
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
6.4: Dining experience, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences
Food and nutrition - Practice guide
/quality-standards/qi-program-quick-reference-guide-unplanned-weight-loss

QI Program quick reference guide – Unplanned weight loss

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides a quick reference guide for approved aged care providers on collecting and reporting data related to unplanned weight loss as part of the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program. It outlines reporting requirements for significant and consecutive unplanned weight loss and offers guidance on how to track and submit data quarterly. 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
Food and nutrition, Clinical safety
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services
QI Program quick reference guide – Unplanned weight loss
/quality-standards/maggie-beer-foundation-online-training-modules

Maggie Beer Foundation - Online Training Modules

Guidance

This resource offers free online training modules designed to improve food experiences for older people in aged care. The modules cover topics such as creating appetising meals, food presentation, and supporting nutrition and hydration. The program is intended for cooks, chefs, and aged care providers to enhance the quality of food service in care settings.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Food and nutrition
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
6.3: Provision of food and drinks, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences
Maggie Beer Foundation - Online Training Modules
/quality-standards/open-disclosure-resources-consumers

Open Disclosure resources for consumers

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides information on open disclosure in healthcare, explaining what people should expect if harm occurs during care. It includes fact sheets in various languages and outlines how to prepare for open disclosure discussions. The resource aims to support transparent communication and improve care safety across healthcare settings, including aged 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
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Feedback and complaints management system, Accountability and quality system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals, 2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures
Open Disclosure resources for consumers
/quality-standards/cota-council-ageing

COTA - Council on the Ageing

Guidance

This resource provides information on the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia's work, including advocacy, policy priorities, and resources for older adults. It highlights key areas such as dental care affordability, aged care reform, and independence for seniors. The site offers publications, submissions to inquiries, and the Aged Care Visitors Code, relevant for aged care providers and consumers.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Choice, independence and quality of life, Feedback and complaints management system
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals
COTA - Council on the Ageing
/quality-standards/seeking-support-advocate

Seeking support from an advocate

Guidance

This resource describes the advocacy support available for people receiving government-funded aged care, provided through the National Aged Care Advocacy Program. It outlines the role of advocates in assisting with understanding services, managing rights, addressing concerns, and learning self-advocacy skills, supporting respectful and fair treatment in aged care.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Choice, independence and quality of life, Feedback and complaints management system
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals
Seeking support from an advocate
/quality-standards/first-nations-youtube-videos

First Nations - YouTube videos

Video
Published date

This resource includes a series of YouTube videos developed by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Australian First Nations older people discuss good quality, culturally appropriate and safe aged care, including person-centred care, rights and how to speak up about 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
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Dignity, respect and privacy, Feedback and complaints management system, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 1.2: Dignity, respect and privacy, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
First Nations - YouTube videos