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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 183 result(s)
/quality-standards/overview-voluntary-assisted-dying

Overview of Voluntary Assisted Dying

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides an overview of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in Australia, detailing eligibility criteria, procedures, and legal requirements. It covers how VAD laws vary across jurisdictions, safeguards in place, and responsibilities for health professionals and institutions. Health professionals can conscientiously object but may still have legal responsibilities.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Palliative and end of life care
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
Overview of Voluntary Assisted Dying
/quality-standards/covid-19-information-workplaces-general

COVID-19 Information for workplaces - General

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on minimising the spread of COVID-19, including aged care settings. It outlines vaccine information, risk assessments, physical distancing, hygiene and rapid antigen testing in the workplace. It also contains key resources such as signage, posters and translated information.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment, Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 4.2: Infection prevention and control
COVID-19 Information for workplaces - General
/quality-standards/clean-and-safe-environment

Clean and safe environment

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines processes to maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic environment in healthcare, including aged care. It provides guidance on infection control, environmental cleaning, and staff training to reduce risks and make sure high-quality care. The document also covers responding to environmental risks, maintaining equipment, and infection prevention practices. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Clean and safe environment
/quality-standards/action-317-reprocessing-reusable-equipment-and-devices

Action 3.17 - Reprocessing of reusable equipment and devices

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines procedures for reprocessing reusable medical equipment and devices to minimise infection risks. It covers processes for ensuring compliance with national and international standards, maintaining traceability, and managing reprocessing for novel infections. It also highlights the importance of proper storage, transport, and workforce training to support safe reprocessing. This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Action 3.17 - Reprocessing of reusable equipment and devices
/quality-standards/older-people-and-falls

Older people and falls

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides information on the causes, treatments, and prevention of falls in older people. It outlines risk factors, such as home hazards and health conditions, and offers practical tips for reducing falls, including lifestyle changes, home modifications, and medical assessments. The document emphasises the importance of fall prevention in aged care settings.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment, Clinical safety
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Older people and falls
/quality-standards/goals-care-document

Goals of care document

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource explains the purpose of a goals of care document, which outlines a person’s medical treatment goals and end of life care preferences. It describes how healthcare providers create and upload these documents to health records, supporting informed decision-making and access to care preferences.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Assessment and planning, Care coordination and transitions
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 5.4: Comprehensive care
Goals of care document
/quality-standards/indigenous-program-experience-palliative-approach

Indigenous Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach

Guidance

This page provides resources about palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, and resources to support the non-Indigenous workforce provide culturally-responsive palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Palliative and end of life care
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
Indigenous Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach
/quality-standards/advance-care-planning-information-health-service-organisations

Advance care planning - Information for health service organisations

Guidance
Published date

This resource outlines how health service organisations can support advance care planning within the Comprehensive Care Standard (National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards). It highlights the importance of documenting a patient’s preferences for future care and ensuring systems are in place to act on these plans. It also provides actions related to policies, sharing decisions, comprehensive care, and clinical handover. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
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 - Information for health service organisations
/quality-standards/how-clean-and-disinfect-your-workplace-covid-19

How to clean and disinfect your workplace - COVID-19

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides detailed guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting workplaces, including aged care settings, to minimise the spread of COVID-19. It outlines cleaning procedures for different surfaces and items, the proper use of disinfectants, and disposal of materials. It supports workplace hygiene by ensuring routine and post-exposure cleaning protocols.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment, Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 4.2: Infection prevention and control
How to clean and disinfect your workplace - COVID-19
/quality-standards/action-133-welcoming-environments

Action 1.33: Welcoming environments

Guidance

This resource provides guidance on creating welcoming environments in healthcare services, including aged care, to make sure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel safe, respected, and supported. It outlines strategies for cultural safety, collaboration with communities, and improving access to care through inclusive design, training, and environmental changes. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
1: The Individual, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Action 1.33: Welcoming environments
/quality-standards/aids-stay-independent

Aids to stay independent

Guidance

This resource provides information on aids to help people stay safe and independent at home. It includes equipment such as walking aids, bed rails, and pressure-relieving mattresses. These services are available through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or Home Care Packages, depending on eligibility, following an assessment.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home
Aids to stay independent
/quality-standards/mobility-aids

Mobility aids

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides an overview of mobility aids, including walkers, wheelchairs, lifting aids, and electric beds, to help people move safely and independently. It explains how these devices can help with daily tasks, manage pain, and reduce injury risks. The document also includes information on accessing aids through government programs or health professionals.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home
Mobility aids
/quality-standards/aids-equipment-and-modifications-through-rehabilitation-appliances-program-rap

Aids, equipment and modifications through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP)

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides information about the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP), which offers aids, equipment, and home or vehicle modifications to help veterans stay independent. It explains the types of items available, such as mobility devices, personal care aids, and home accessibility modifications, and outlines the process for accessing these services through clinical assessments.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home
Aids, equipment and modifications through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP)
/quality-standards/tools-and-aids-help-home

Tools and aids to help at home

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines tools, aids, and technology to help people with dementia live safely and independently at home. It includes medication reminders, safety devices, communication tools, and sensory aids. The document provides guidance on selecting appropriate tools to support daily tasks, reduce stress, and maintain quality of life at home.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Tools and aids to help at home
/quality-standards/trauma-informed-care-and-practice-organisational-toolkit

Trauma-informed Care and Practice Organisational Toolkit

Tool

This toolkit provides guidance for organisations on implementing trauma-informed care practices, aiming to improve safety, trust, and empowerment in care settings. It outlines strategies to adapt policies, environments, and staff approaches to better support people with trauma histories in various care environments.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Accountability and quality system, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
Trauma-informed Care and Practice Organisational Toolkit
/quality-standards/national-palliative-care-standards-all-health-professionals-and-aged-care-services

National Palliative Care Standards for All Health Professionals and Aged Care Services

Guidance

The National Palliative Care Standards provide guidance for all health professionals and aged care services to deliver high-quality generalist palliative care. They support improved experiences and outcomes for people receiving care, and are intended for use across diverse care settings. Resources like audit tools and fact sheets are available to aid self-assessment and adherence to these standards​.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Palliative and end of life care
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
National Palliative Care Standards for All Health Professionals and Aged Care Services
/quality-standards/gwandalan-supporting-palliative-care-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-communities

Gwandalan – Supporting Palliative Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

Guidance

This resource provides culturally appropriate palliative care education and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It includes resources, videos, and training materials aimed at improving understanding, communication, and care practices in end-of-life care, integrating cultural beliefs and values to enhance quality care for Indigenous Australians.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Palliative and end of life care
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
Gwandalan – Supporting Palliative Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
/quality-standards/palliative-care-knowledge-network

Palliative care knowledge network

Guidance

This resource provides evidence-based information and resources on palliative care for health professionals, patients and carers. It covers clinical practice, education, research, and service delivery. The platform aims to improve understanding, decision-making, and quality of care for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Palliative and end of life care
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
Palliative care knowledge network
/quality-standards/how-talk-about-dementia

How to talk about dementia

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on using accurate, respectful, and non-stigmatising language when discussing dementia. It emphasises avoiding negative terms, promoting dignity, and listening to individuals' preferences. It includes suggestions for talking about dementia symptoms, behaviour, and the impacts of dementia on individuals and their families, promoting understanding and reducing discrimination.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
3.3: Communicating for safety and quality
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-palliative-and-end-life-care

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Palliative and end-of-life care

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide focuses on palliative and end-of-life care, detailing general principles, illness trajectories, the role of general practitioners, and practical recommendations for patient-cantered care. It provides consensus-based guidelines for initiating advance care planning, symptom management, team-based end-of-life care, medication use, and supporting both patients and their families. It includes information on the transition from chronic disease treatment to a palliative approach and includes tools for clinical decision-making.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Palliative and end of life care
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Palliative and end-of-life care