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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 58 of 58 result(s)
/quality-standards/laundry-and-infection-control-residential-aged-care

Laundry and Infection Control in Residential Aged Care

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on proper laundry procedures in residential aged care to support infection control. It explains how to handle soiled linen, manage laundry services, and prevent contamination. The resource aligns with infection control standards, helping aged care providers meet hygiene requirements and reduce the risk of pathogen transmission. 

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
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
Laundry and Infection Control in Residential Aged Care
/quality-standards/principles-aseptic-technique-information-healthcare-workers

Principles of aseptic technique: Information for healthcare workers

Guidance
Published date

This fact sheet provides principles of aseptic technique to support healthcare workers performing procedures requiring aseptic practices. It covers key concepts, differences between aseptic and sterile techniques, and application in clinical, pharmacy, and laboratory settings, emphasising infection prevention, standard precautions, and proper handling of equipment. 

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
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
Principles of aseptic technique: Information for healthcare workers
/quality-standards/outbreak-management-plan-key-features

Outbreak Management Plan - key features

Guidance
Published date

Outbreak management planning is a key part of infection prevention and control. This document supports both the development of a new outbreak management plan (OMP) and the quality assurance of existing plans. It details common OMP sections to get you started as you tailor your OMP to your service.

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
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
Outbreak Management Plan
/quality-standards/national-immunisation-program-schedule

National Immunisation Program Schedule

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule, outlining the recommended immunisations for people at specific stages of life, from birth through to adulthood. It includes information about free vaccines under the NIP and guidance for catch-up immunisations, ensuring the best possible protection through timely vaccinations. 

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
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
National Immunisation Program Schedule
/quality-standards/national-notifiable-diseases-surveillance-system-nndss

National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS)

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides an overview of the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS), which tracks over 70 diseases that pose a risk to public health in Australia. It helps identify disease trends, supports outbreak responses, and informs public health policies. The system collects de-identified data from states and territories to ensure coordinated disease management. 

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
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
National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS)
/quality-standards/optimising-ventilation-infection-prevention-and-control-healthcare-settings

Optimising ventilation for infection prevention and control in healthcare settings

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides guidance on optimising ventilation in healthcare settings to prevent and control infections. It outlines actions that organisations can take to improve ventilation systems, reduce infection transmission risks, and enhance the safety of both patients and staff. It should be used alongside relevant health authority notices. 

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
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
Optimising ventilation for infection prevention and control in healthcare settings
/quality-standards/5-moments-hand-hygiene

5 Moments for Hand Hygiene

Guidance
Published date

This resource explains the 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene, a framework designed to minimise the risk of infection transmission in healthcare. It outlines key moments when hand hygiene should be performed, including before and after patient contact or procedures, and after touching a patient’s surroundings. 

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
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
/quality-standards/joint-letter-cmo-and-commissioner-board-chairs-winter-preparedness-2025

Joint letter from CMO and Commissioner to Board Chairs on winter preparedness 2025

Guidance, Letters
Published date

Joint letter from the Chief Medical Officer Professor Anthony Lawler and Commissioner Liz Hefren-Webb to Board Chairs, Residential Aged Care Providers on winter preparedness in residential aged care.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
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
Joint letter from CMO and Commissioner to Board Chairs on winter preparedness 2025
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-aged-care

Infection prevention and control in aged care

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource is a collection of resources on infection prevention and control (IPC) for aged care service providers and staff. It includes guidelines, IPC posters and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) fact sheets.

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
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 in aged care
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-control-resources

Infection prevention & control resources

Guidance

This resource provides guidance on infection prevention and control for aged care providers, outlining responsibilities to make sure safety and minimise infection risks. It covers the development of infection control programs, training requirements, governance, and compliance with national standards, supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality care in residential aged care settings. 

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
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services, 4.2: Infection prevention and control
Infection prevention & control
/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/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/national-infection-control-guidance-non-tuberculous-mycobacterium-infections-associated-heater-cooler-devices

National Infection Control Guidance Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium infections associated with heater-cooler devices

Guidance
Published date

This guidance addresses the infection risks associated with heater-cooler devices, particularly Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium infections. It provides recommendations for Australian healthcare organisations on managing these risks, including using safety notices and infection control guidelines. It should be used alongside state and territory health advice​. This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care and 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
National Infection Control Guidance Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium infections associated with heater-cooler devices
/quality-standards/preventing-and-controlling-infections-standard

Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard

Guidance
Published date

The Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard (National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards) outlines infection prevention and control strategies, antimicrobial stewardship, the safe use of resources, and evidence-based practices. It aims to minimise infection risks and ensure the safety of people receiving care and workforce members. It also supports compliance with infection control standards in healthcare and aged care settings. This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care and 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
Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard
/quality-standards/recommendations-control-carbapenemase-producing-enterobacterales

Recommendations for the control of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides guidance on preventing and managing carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) in healthcare. It covers screening, outbreak control, and environmental cleaning, helping to reduce antimicrobial resistance. The resource supports infection control policies and aims to enhance safety in aged care and health service organisations. 

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
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
Recommendations for the control of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales
/quality-standards/flu-and-covid-19-vaccination-program

Flu and COVID-19 vaccination program

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines the flu and COVID-19 vaccination program for residential aged care providers. It includes information about what services must do to take precautions to prevent and control the flu and COVID-19 and minimise infection-related risks. 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
Infection prevention and control, Workforce and human resources management
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 2: The Organisation, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services, 2.9: Human resource management, 4.2: Infection prevention and control
Flu and COVID-19 vaccination program
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-acsqh

Infection prevention and control - ACSQH

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides guidelines to reduce infection transmission risks in healthcare settings. It provides information on standard and transmission-based precautions, specific diseases or conditions, other infection prevention and control strategies and promotional resources practices such as hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and environmental cleaning. 

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
Infection prevention and control
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services, 4.2: Infection prevention and control
Infection prevention and control