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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 114 result(s)
/quality-standards/aged-care-infection-prevention-and-control-training-tool

Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Training Tool

Tool
Published date

This resource is a training tool designed to help develop and record infection prevention and control training sessions in aged care. It includes templates for learning objectives, content development, and assessment methods, ensuring effective delivery of key infection control practices using structured guidance and eLearning resources. 

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
Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Training Tool
/quality-standards/aged-care-infection-prevention-and-control-guide

The Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Guide

Guidance
Published date

This resource outlines the basic principles of infection prevention and control and explains how to apply these principles using a risk-based approach. The guide supports implementation of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. It is a supplementary resource for the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare for aged care settings. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025.

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Environment, Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home, 4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
The Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Guide
/quality-standards/covid-19-resources-health-professionals-including-aged-care-providers-pathology-providers-and-health-care-managers

COVID-19 resources for health professionals, including aged care providers, pathology providers and health care managers

Fact sheet, Guidance
Last Updated

This resource offers COVID-19 guidance for health professionals and aged care providers. It includes information on managing outbreaks, infection control, PPE use, and telehealth services. These resources support safe and effective care delivery while ensuring compliance with guidelines during the pandemic 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
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
COVID-19 resources for health professionals, including aged care providers, pathology providers and health care managers
/quality-standards/covid-19-advice-health-professionals

COVID-19 advice for health professionals

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource offers COVID-19 guidance for health professionals, including infection prevention, antiviral treatments, and telehealth services. It advises on managing high-risk patients, accessing personal protective equipment (PPE), and maintaining hygiene standards. It is essential for ensuring safe healthcare delivery, particularly in aged care settings during the pandemic. 

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
COVID-19 advice for health professionals
/quality-standards/fact-sheet-asymptomatic-bacteriuria

Fact sheet - Asymptomatic bacteriuria

Fact sheet
Published date

This fact sheet offers guidance on managing asymptomatic bacteriuria and reducing inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing for residents of aged care facilities. It details symptoms, strategies to decrease unwarranted antimicrobial prescriptions for asymptomatic bacteriuria, and an assessment and treatment framework for residents suspected of urinary tract infections. 

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
Fact sheet - Asymptomatic bacteriuria
/quality-standards/visiting-aged-care-home-during-outbreak-a3-poster

Visiting an aged care home during an outbreak - A3 poster

Poster
Published date

This A3 poster can be used by aged care facilities during an outbreak. It explains the key things for partners in care to remember when visiting an aged care home during an outbreak.

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
thumbnail visiting aged care home during outbreak
/quality-standards/what-hand-hygiene

What is hand hygiene?

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides guidance on proper hand hygiene practices in healthcare settings. It covers key topics such as the correct use of alcohol-based hand rubs, when to wash hands with soap and water, and appropriate glove use. It also addresses common hand care issues and strategies for preventing dermatitis in healthcare workers. 

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
What is hand hygiene?
/quality-standards/hand-hygiene-presentation

Hand Hygiene presentation

Presentations
Published date

This presentation is designed for healthcare workers to introduce the basics of hand hygiene, its significance in preventing infections, and ensuring both patient and healthcare worker safety. It outlines when and how to perform hand hygiene, its role in infection control, and the importance of compliance monitoring in 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
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
Hand Hygiene presentation
/quality-standards/your-aged-care-rights

Your aged care rights

Tool

This resource offers tools for self-advocacy in aged care, helping people understand their rights and what to expect from providers. It includes resources on the Charter of Aged Care Rights, care planning, and maintaining connections, supporting people in navigating and maximising their aged care experience.

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
Dignity, respect and privacy
Standard
1: The Individual
Outcomes
1.2: Dignity, respect and privacy
Your aged care rights
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-leads-updates-providers

Infection Prevention and Control Leads: Updates for providers

Fact sheet
Published date

This fact sheet provides updated information for providers of aged care on effective infection prevention and control capability. This is critical to the safe, effective delivery of personal and clinical care in aged care. This is particularly the case during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

 

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
ipc leads thumbnail
/quality-standards/outbreak-management-plan-stress-testing-outline

Outbreak Management Plan - stress testing outline

Guidance
Published date

Having a comprehensive and organisation-specific outbreak management plan (OMP) helps your organisation to be prepared for the management of infections and outbreaks within your service. A key part of this readiness is ensuring that your OMP is fit-for-purpose and that everyone across the organisation can implement it if required. One way to maintain readiness and support continuous improvement of your OMP is to run regular drills, or stress tests, of your plan.

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 - stress testing
/quality-standards/your-questions-answered-influenza

Your questions answered - Influenza

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource answers common questions about influenza vaccination. It explains the importance of annual flu vaccines, who should get vaccinated, and how the vaccine works. It highlights the vaccine's role in preventing serious complications, particularly for older adults, children, pregnant people, and those with chronic health conditions. 

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
Your questions answered - Influenza
/quality-standards/australian-immunisation-handbook-updates-handbook

Australian Immunisation Handbook - Updates to Handbook

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides a summary of recent updates made to the Australian Immunisation Handbook. It details changes to vaccine recommendations, including the removal of discontinued vaccines, new vaccines for diseases, and revised guidance for specific populations such as pregnant women and immunocompromised people. 

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
Australian Immunisation Handbook - Updates to  Handbook
/quality-standards/communicable-diseases-network-australia-cdna

Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA)

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides an overview of the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA), which coordinates national surveillance and prevention of communicable diseases. It outlines CDNA’s role in managing outbreaks, developing policy, and strengthening disease control. The document supports collaboration with national and international partners to prevent and manage disease outbreaks effectively. 

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
Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA)
/quality-standards/code-conduct-aged-care

Code of Conduct for Aged Care

Guidance

This resource outlines the Code of Conduct for Aged Care, which sets expectations for the behaviour of providers, governing persons, and workers. It promotes respect, safety, and quality in aged care services, ensuring people’s rights are protected. The Code includes guidance on handling concerns and preventing abuse or neglect​. 

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
Workforce and human resources management, Dignity, respect and privacy
Standard
2: The Organisation, 1: The Individual
Outcomes
2.9: Human resource management, 1.2: Dignity, respect and privacy
Code of Conduct for Aged Care
/quality-standards/code-conduct-workers

Code of Conduct for workers

Guidance

This resource outlines the Code of Conduct for Aged Care workers, detailing expected behaviours such as respect, honesty, and integrity. It ensures people receiving care are treated with dignity, kept safe from harm, and supported. The Code applies to all aged care workers, including volunteers​. 

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
Workforce and human resources management, Dignity, respect and privacy
Standard
2: The Organisation, 1: The Individual
Outcomes
2.9: Human resource management, 1.2: Dignity, respect and privacy
Code of Conduct for workers
/quality-standards/covid-19-vaccine-advice-and-recommendations-2024

COVID-19 vaccine advice and recommendations for 2024

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides the latest COVID-19 vaccine advice for 2024. It covers primary vaccination doses, booster eligibility, general facts about vaccines and the latest data for case numbers and vaccinations. It also includes vaccine information for specific groups of people including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people in aged care and people with disability. 

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
COVID-19 vaccine advice and recommendations for 2024
/quality-standards/dealing-infectious-outbreaks

Dealing with infectious outbreaks

Guidance

This resource provides guidance for aged care providers on managing infectious outbreaks. It includes information on visitor access, visitor restrictions, and innovative practices to maintain residents' health and safety. It also covers essential steps for visitors to take to protect themselves and residents during outbreaks. 

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
5: Clinical Care, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services, 4.2: Infection prevention and control
Dealing with infectious outbreaks
/quality-standards/give-flu-boot

Give flu the boot

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource promotes the free influenza vaccine for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older. It explains the benefits of flu vaccination, including reducing the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation, and provides guidance on when and where to receive the vaccine to protect communities from influenza.

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
Give flu the boot
/quality-standards/guidance-implementation-antimicrobial-stewardship-clinical-care-standard-aged-care

Guidance for implementation of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard in aged care

Guidance
Published date

This resources provides information to implement policies and practices to meet the requirements of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care's Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard. The guidance is relevant in aged care organisations and providers in residential, community and home-based settings where clinical care is provided. 

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
Outcomes
5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Guidance for implementation of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard in aged care