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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 241 to 260 of 275 result(s)
/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/electronic-prescribing

Electronic prescribing

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines the framework for electronic prescribing, offering an alternative to paper prescriptions for healthcare providers and consumers. It explains the benefits of electronic prescriptions, such as reducing errors, improving efficiency, and supporting medication safety. The resource also covers technical and legislative requirements for implementing electronic prescriptions in various healthcare 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
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Key Theme
Medication management, Corporate and clinical governance, Information management system
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.3: Safe and quality use of medicines, 5.1: Clinical governance
Electronic prescribing
/quality-standards/digital-health-developer-portal-aged-care-clinical-information-system-standards-v10

Digital Health Developer Portal - Aged Care Clinical Information System Standards v1.0

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines the Aged Care Clinical Information System (ACCIS) Standards version 1.0, which sets minimum software requirements for clinical information and electronic medication management systems in aged care. The standards support interoperability, data sharing, and improved care quality by enabling safe and efficient clinical decision-making and information exchange between care providers.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Corporate and clinical governance, Information management system
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
5.1: Clinical governance, 2.7: Information management
Digital Health Developer Portal - Aged Care Clinical Information System Standards v1.0
/quality-standards/electronic-prescriptions

Electronic prescriptions

Guidance
Published date
Last Updated

This resource provides an overview of electronic prescriptions, which offer a digital alternative to paper prescriptions. It explains how electronic prescriptions can be issued by healthcare providers and stored on digital devices for convenience. The resource also details the benefits of the Active Script List (ASL) for managing multiple prescriptions, enhancing efficiency and medicine safety.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Medication management, Information management system, Corporate and clinical governance
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.3: Safe and quality use of medicines, 5.1: Clinical governance
Electronic prescriptions
/quality-standards/advance-care-planning-australia

Advance Care Planning Australia

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides information on advance care planning, which enables people to make decisions about their future health care in case they are unable to communicate their preferences. It helps ensure that healthcare providers and loved ones understand and respect their treatment choices. The resource includes tools, forms, and advice for creating an advance care plan.

Author
External resource
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 Australia
/quality-standards/implementing-comprehensive-care-standard-clinical-assessment-and-diagnosis

Implementing the Comprehensive Care Standard - Clinical assessment and diagnosis

Guidance
Published date

This document provides guidance on implementing the clinical assessment and diagnosis element of the Comprehensive Care Standard (National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards). It helps clinicians identify a person’s conditions or needs through examination and investigation. The resource supports safe, patient-centred care, improving diagnostic accuracy and promoting teamwork in 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
Care coordination and transitions, Assessment and planning, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care, 3.1 Assessment and planning
Implementing the Comprehensive Care Standard - Clinical assessment and diagnosis
/quality-standards/implementing-comprehensive-care-standard-review-and-improve-comprehensive-care-delivery

Implementing the Comprehensive Care Standard - Review and improve comprehensive care delivery

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides guidance for reviewing and improving comprehensive care delivery. It outlines how to assess if care meets clinical and personal needs, mitigates risks, and achieves intended outcomes. Relevant to aged care, it helps clinicians and managers implement continuous quality improvement in care delivery processes. 

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
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 5.4: Comprehensive care
Implementing the Comprehensive Care Standard - Review and improve comprehensive care delivery
/quality-standards/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-mental-health-program

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health program

Fact sheet
Last Updated

This resource provides information on a mental health program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It includes funding for culturally appropriate mental health services, offering psychological therapies, complex care, and clinical coordination. The program integrates with other services such as drug and alcohol support and suicide prevention initiatives. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 July 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Key Theme
Assessment and planning, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Clinical safety, Person-centred care
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care, 1: The Individual
Outcomes
3.1 Assessment and planning, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 1.1: Person-centred care
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health program
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-b-older-people-rural-and-remote-communities

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Older people in rural and remote communities

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide discusses providing aged care in rural and remote communities, focusing on the unique needs of older residents, the role of GPs in care coordination, and overcoming challenges like limited services and workforce shortages. It covers building telehealth connections, establishing collaborative care models, and offers a checklist for newly arrived GPs to support quality care for older adults.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Care coordination and transitions, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Workforce and human resources management
Standard
4: The Environment, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care, 2.8: Workforce planning, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Older people in rural and remote communities
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-infection-and-sepsis

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Infection and sepsis

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide provides information on preventing and managing infections and sepsis in aged care settings. It includes recommendations on vaccination, antibiotic stewardship, recognising symptoms, and managing conditions such as respiratory, urinary tract, skin, and gastrointestinal infections. It also covers risk assessment, treatment considerations, and the role of general practitioners in infection control.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Infection and sepsis
/quality-standards/aseptic-technique

Aseptic technique

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides information on aseptic techniques to support service provides adapt practices to protect patients from healthcare-associated infections and healthcare workers from contact with blood, body fluid and body tissue. It provides guides for implementation, principles of aseptic technique and safe use of chlorhexidine. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 July 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Aseptic technique
/quality-standards/residential-aged-care-supporting-residential-aged-care-residents-and-their-healthcare-teams

Residential aged care - Supporting residential aged care residents and their healthcare teams

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides information on digital health tools available for residential aged care providers. It covers how these tools, including My Health Record, support care coordination, improve health outcomes, and enable secure information sharing between healthcare providers to enhance the quality of aged care services.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Corporate and clinical governance, Information management system, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Care coordination and transitions, Workforce and human resources management
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.1: Clinical governance, 2.7: Information management, 3.3: Communicating for safety and quality
Residential aged care - Supporting residential aged care residents and their healthcare teams
/quality-standards/amr-antimicrobial-resistance

AMR - Antimicrobial resistance

Guidance

The AMR provides information on antimicrobial resistance and it's threats to human and animal health. It contains information on how to reduce it's spread, news, AMR resources and other resources on antimicrobial resistance.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
AMR - Antimicrobial resistance
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-poster-airborne-precautions-poster

Infection Prevention and Control Poster - Airborne precautions poster

Poster
Published date

This poster outlines airborne precautions, in addition to standard precautions, for infection prevention and control. It provides guidance on preventing transmission of infectious agents through airborne droplet nuclei using personal protective equipment (PPE), negative pressure rooms, and limiting patient movement to reduce infection risks​. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Infection Prevention and Control Poster - Airborne precautions poster
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-poster-combined-airborne-and-contact-precautions

Infection Prevention and Control Poster – Combined airborne and contact precautions

Poster
Published date

This poster provides guidance on combined airborne and contact precautions for infection prevention and control. It includes information on using personal protective equipment (PPE) and other measures to minimise the spread of infectious agents transmitted through both airborne particles and direct contact. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Infection Prevention and Control Poster – Combined airborne and contact precautions
/quality-standards/break-chain-infection-poster

Break The Chain of Infection Poster

Poster
Published date

This poster outlines key steps to break the chain of infection, including staying home if unwell, physical distancing, frequent handwashing, cleaning surfaces, and covering coughs or sneezes. It aims to prevent the spread of respiratory infections and supports infection prevention practices in healthcare settings. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Break The Chain of Infection Poster
/quality-standards/mental-health-and-wellbeing-dementia-and-mental-health

Mental health and wellbeing - Dementia and mental health

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource examines mental health challenges in people living with dementia, covering complexities in diagnosing conditions like depression and anxiety. It provides evidence-based insights on therapeutic approaches, including music and cognitive therapies, and offers tools to aid aged care providers in supporting mental health in dementia care.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Assessment and planning, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Clinical safety
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
3.1 Assessment and planning, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  
Mental health and wellbeing - Dementia and mental health
/quality-standards/goal-setting

Goal setting

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource discusses the role of goal setting in enhancing rehabilitation, reablement, and restorative care for older people. It highlights the value of involving older people in defining goals and the positive impact of goal setting on engagement, daily function, and quality of life.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Choice, independence and quality of life, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Assessment and planning, Care coordination and transitions
Standard
1: The Individual, 3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 5.4: Comprehensive care
Goal setting
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-poster-droplet-precautions-addition-standard-precautions-poster

Infection Prevention and Control Poster - Droplet precautions, in addition to standard precautions poster

Poster
Published date

This resource is a poster on droplet precautions, in addition to standard precautions, for infection prevention. It outlines measures to prevent the transmission of infectious agents spread through respiratory droplets, such as using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), patient placement, and minimising patient transport. This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care. Please consider the applicability of this resource to your care setting.

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Infection Prevention and Control Poster - Droplet precautions, in addition to standard precautions poster
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-poster-combined-contact-and-droplet-precautions

Infection Prevention and Control Poster – Combined contact and droplet precautions

Poster
Published date

This poster outlines combined contact and droplet precautions for infection prevention and control, in addition to standard precautions. It provides guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other measures to reduce the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact and respiratory droplets​. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Infection Prevention and Control Poster – Combined contact and droplet precautions