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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 41 to 60 of 108 result(s)
/quality-standards/food-nutrition-dining-resources-providers

Food, nutrition & dining: resources for providers

Guidance

This resource provides tools and guidance for aged care providers to ensure quality food, nutrition, and dining experiences. It includes hotlines, resources for dining, choice, swallowing, and oral health, as well as webinars, research findings, and practical tips to support older adults' wellbeing and meet care 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
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Clinical safety, Food and nutrition, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 6.3: Provision of food and drinks, 6.4: Dining experience, 7.1: Daily living
Food, nutrition & dining: resources for providers
/quality-standards/governing-reform-aged-care-practical-tools

Governing for Reform in Aged Care - Practical tools

Tool

This resource provides practical tools for aged care governing bodies and executives to support governance processes. It includes templates for audit planning, risk management, performance reporting, and compliance monitoring, helping providers ensure effective oversight and decision-making aligned with the Aged Care Quality 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
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Corporate and clinical governance, Accountability and quality system, Risk management system, Information management system, Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
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, 2.7: Information management, 2.8: Workforce planning
Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program
/quality-standards/using-technology-improve-dining-experience

Using technology to improve the dining experience

Guidance

This resource provides guidance on how technology, such as virtual reality (VR) and mobile applications, can enhance the dining experience in aged care settings. These tools are designed to increase engagement, support meal choices, improve communication with families, and contribute to overall wellbeing by making mealtimes more enjoyable. 

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
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Food and nutrition
Standard
4: The Environment, 6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 6.4: Dining experience, 7.1: Daily living
Using technology to improve the dining experience
/quality-standards/supporting-dining-experience-people-living-dementia-providers-and-workers-guide

Supporting the dining experience for people living with dementia – Providers and workers guide

Guidance, Guides
Published date

This guide is about how to support people living with dementia to maintain good nutrition and enjoy positive dining experiences. 

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
Choice, independence and quality of life, Food and nutrition
Standard
1: The Individual, 6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life, 6.4: Dining experience
Supporting the dining experience guide thumbnail
/quality-standards/supporting-people-living-dementia-eat-and-drink-well

Supporting people living with dementia to eat and drink well

Guidance

This resource provides guidance for aged care services on how to support people living with dementia to eat and drink well. It highlights innovative approaches such as creating familiar, enjoyable meals, reducing mealtime interruptions, and offering 24-hour access to nutritious foods. These strategies help address challenges like malnutrition and dehydration. 

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
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Food and nutrition
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
5.6 Cognitive impairment  , 6.4: Dining experience, 7.1: Daily living
Supporting people living with dementia to eat and drink well
/quality-standards/improving-aged-care-speech-pathology-why-it-matters-and-how-it-helps

Improving aged care with speech pathology: Why it matters and how it helps

Guidance

This page highlights the role of speech pathologists in supporting older people with communication, eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties. It provides resources for aged care providers on how to improve care quality through effective communication tools and tailored strategies. This resource includes practical examples, like sample plates and picture boards, for enhancing dining experiences and supporting individual choice. 

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
Assessment and planning, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Food and nutrition
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care, 6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
3.1 Assessment and planning, 5.4: Comprehensive care, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences
Improving aged care with speech pathology: Why it matters and how it helps
/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/introducing-tasty-nutritious-and-safe-meals-aged-care-themed-innovator-training-program

Introducing tasty, nutritious, and safe meals in aged care - Themed Innovator Training Program

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on implementing safe, nutritious, and appealing meals in aged care. It emphasises informed choice, accommodating dietary needs, and preventing malnutrition. It highlights the importance of culturally appropriate meal planning, supporting residents' autonomy, and ensuring that nutritious food enhances social interaction, mental health, and overall quality of life. 

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
Food and nutrition
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
6.3: Provision of food and drinks
Introducing tasty, nutritious, and safe meals in aged care - Themed Innovator Training Program
/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/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/providing-food-and-dining-choice-aged-care-staff-poster

Providing food and dining choice - aged care staff poster

Poster
Published date

This guide supports aged care staff in providing food and dining choices for residents. It outlines the importance of upholding residents' rights to choose, enhancing their health and quality of life. The guide recommends confirming preferences regularly, involving residents in meal planning, and respecting individual choices regarding when, where, and what they eat or drink. 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
Choice, independence and quality of life, Food and nutrition, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life, 6.3: Provision of food and drinks, 7.1: Daily living
thumbnail providing choice
/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-mental-health-workforce-strategy-2022-2032

National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2022–2032

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines the National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2022–2032, providing a roadmap to build a sustainable, skilled mental health workforce. It focuses on attracting, training, and retaining professionals to meet future demands, including those in aged care. The strategy supports coordinated mental health services across various sectors, ensuring a person-centred approach and promoting mental health careers. 

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
2.2a: Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support aged care workers to deliver quality care
National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2022–2032
/quality-standards/nutrition-informed-choice

Nutrition - Informed choice

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource discusses the importance of informed choice in aged care dining, emphasising a person-centred approach. It highlights the benefits of offering choice in meals and mealtimes, outlines how to manage decisions that involve risk, and provides tools for aged care workers to support resident autonomy while ensuring safety and satisfaction. 

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, Food and nutrition, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life, 6.3: Provision of food and drinks, 7.1: Daily living
Nutrition - Informed choice
/quality-standards/nourishing-connections-vital-role-social-dining-aged-care

Nourishing connections: The vital role of social dining in aged care

Guidance

This resource explains how social dining in aged care can enhance nutrition and wellbeing by fostering social connections. It encourages creating positive dining environments that promote engagement and respect personal preferences during mealtimes. 

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
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Food and nutrition
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
6.4: Dining experience, 7.1: Daily living
Nourishing connections: The vital role of social dining in aged care
/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/food-and-dining-your-choices-matter

Food and dining - your choices matter

Fact sheet
Published date
Last Updated

This fact sheet informs aged care residents of their rights to safe, enjoyable, and respectful dining experiences. It outlines steps for raising concerns with providers about food and dining, offers a preference form for residents to communicate their dietary needs, and provides contact information for support services if issues remain unresolved. 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
Food and nutrition, Choice, independence and quality of life, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Feedback and complaints management system
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life, 2.6a: Complaints and feedback management for aged care workers, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals, 6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 7.1: Daily living
First page of the Food and dining – your choices matter fact sheet