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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 107 result(s)
/quality-standards/wound-healing-interventions

Wound Healing Interventions

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides the 2021 Australian guidelines on wound healing interventions for diabetic foot disease (DFD) and foot ulcers (DFU). It includes evidence-based recommendations for healthcare professionals on appropriate practices, such as sharp debridement, exudate control, adjunctive treatments, and decision-making pathways to enhance wound healing and improve patient outcomes.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Wound Healing Interventions
/quality-standards/training-resources-hearing-assistance-aged-care-hospitals

Training resources for hearing assistance in aged care & hospitals

Guidance

This resource provides free training materials for hearing assistance in aged care and hospital settings. It includes a Good Practice Guide, instructional video, poster series, and training modules. The resources aim to equip staff, volunteers, and family carers with knowledge to support people with hearing loss effectively.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Training resources for hearing assistance in aged care & hospitals
/quality-standards/ageing-and-dual-sensory-loss

Ageing and dual sensory loss

Guidance

This resource provides information and strategies for supporting older adults with age-related dual sensory loss or deafblindness. It includes a resource booklet and video developed to help aged care workers understand and address the needs of people with combined vision and hearing impairments to reduce isolation and enhance care.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Ageing and dual sensory loss
/quality-standards/pain-residential-aged-care-facilities-management-strategies-resources

Pain in Residential Aged Care Facilities: Management Strategies - Resources

Guidance

This resource provides downloadable tools to support the management of pain in residential aged care facilities. It covers comprehensive pain assessment, pain management strategies for communicative and non-communicative residents, complementary therapies, opioid considerations, and quality indicators, aiming to enhance care practices and improve residents' quality of life.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Pain in Residential Aged Care Facilities: Management Strategies - Resources
/quality-standards/mob-smiles-resources-and-articles-created-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-australians

Mob Smiles - Resources and articles created for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

Guidance

This resource, Mob Smiles, provides culturally appropriate oral health information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It includes brochures, posters, and fact sheets tailored for different life stages such as children, teenagers, elders, and pregnant women. The content focuses on dental care, healthy habits, and oral health education.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Mob Smiles - Resources and articles created for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-faecal-incontinence

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Faecal incontinence

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide addresses the assessment and management of urinary incontinence in older adults. It outlines a stepwise approach to evaluation, including identifying transient causes, detailed history-taking, medication review, and focused examination. It provides information on management including lifestyle measures, medications, bladder drainage options, and potential referral to specialists based on individual needs and the type of incontinence.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Faecal incontinence
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-urinary-incontinence

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Urinary incontinence

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide addresses the assessment and management of urinary incontinence in older adults. It outlines a stepwise approach to evaluation, including identifying transient causes, detailed history-taking, medication review, and focused examination. It provides information on management including lifestyle measures, medications, bladder drainage options, and potential referral to specialists based on individual needs and the type of incontinence.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Urinary incontinence
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-falls

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Falls

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide covers fall prevention and management in older adults, focusing on assessing fall risks, involving multidisciplinary teams (e.g. physiotherapists, occupational therapists), and recommending both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. It includes steps for post-fall assessments, medication review, and strategies for preventing injuries, with a comprehensive approach to improving outcomes in aged care.
 

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Falls
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-mental-health

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Mental health

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide addresses mental health in older adults, including social isolation, depression, anxiety, suicide risk, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. It provides consensus-based recommendations for tailored interventions, diagnosis through validated assessments, and management strategies that combine clinical and non-clinical approaches.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Mental health
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-dermatology

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Dermatology

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide provides recommendations for dermatological care in older adults, addressing skin integrity, sun damage, bruising, and wound management. It highlights factors affecting skin health, like systemic disease, medication, and environmental exposure. It recommends regular skin assessments, non-pharmacological interventions, moisturisation, and tailored approaches for managing conditions like ulcers, pruritus, and skin cancer in aged care settings.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Dermatology
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-pain

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Pain

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide provides strategies for managing pain in older adults in aged care, focusing on assessment, non-pharmacological treatments, and pharmacological interventions. It includes practice points on appropriate medication use, considerations for pain assessment tools, and recommendations for safe management, including tailored care and treatment monitoring to improve quality of life.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Pain
/quality-standards/my-food-and-dining-preferences-form

My food and dining preferences - form

Fact sheet
Published date
Last Updated

This fact sheet helps aged care residents communicate their food and dining preferences. It includes sections for meal choices, dining preferences, assistance needs, health considerations, cultural or religious customs, and contact information for allied health professionals. It also advises staff to monitor changes in weight and contact a dietitian if needed. 

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, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Assessment and planning
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 3.1 Assessment and planning, 7.1: Daily living
Image of Food and dining preferences fact sheet
/quality-standards/advance-care-planning-information-clinicians

Advance care planning - Information for clinicians

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource guides clinicians on the importance of advance care planning, particularly for those with life-limiting illnesses, chronic conditions, or cognitive impairment. It outlines the need for early conversations about patient preferences and comprehensive care, ensuring decisions are documented, shared, and align with clinical handover processes to respect patient autonomy and improve care 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
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 clinicians
/quality-standards/comprehensive-care-clinical-assessment-and-diagnosis-key-actions-health-service-organisations

Comprehensive Care - Clinical assessment and diagnosis - Key actions for health service organisations

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource provides actions for health service organisations to support clinical assessment and diagnosis, promoting a person-centred approach and comprehensive care planning. It highlights training, clear communication of roles, and systems for documenting diagnoses and care plans. 

This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care. Please consider the applicability of this resource to your care setting. 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
Assessment and planning, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
3.1 Assessment and planning, 5.4: Comprehensive care
Comprehensive Care - Clinical assessment and diagnosis - Key actions for health service organisations
/quality-standards/comprehensive-care-clinical-assessment-and-diagnosis-key-actions-clinicians

Comprehensive Care - Clinical assessment and diagnosis - Key actions for clinicians

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource provides actions for health service organisations to support clinical assessment and diagnosis, promoting a person-centred approach and comprehensive care planning. It highlights training, clear communication of roles, and systems for documenting diagnoses and care plans. 

This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care. Please consider the applicability of this resource to your care setting. 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
Assessment and planning, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
3.1 Assessment and planning, 5.4: Comprehensive care
Comprehensive Care - Clinical assessment and diagnosis - Key actions for clinicians
/quality-standards/falls-prevention

Falls prevention

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance for preventing falls and harm from falls in older people 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
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Falls prevention
/quality-standards/frequently-asked-questions-about-consent

Frequently asked questions about consent

Fact sheet
Published date

This fact sheet covers the frequently asked questions about consent in aged care.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Choice, independence and quality of life, Assessment and planning, Care coordination and transitions
Standard
1: The Individual, 3: The Care and Services, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life, 3.1 Assessment and planning, 7.2: Transitions
Cover of Frequently asked questions about consent
/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/healthy-mouths-healthy-lives-australias-national-oral-health-plan-2015-2024

Healthy mouths, healthy lives - Australia's National Oral Health Plan 2015-2024

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines Australia’s National Oral Health Plan 2015-2024, aiming to improve oral health and reduce inequalities. It includes strategic directions, guiding principles, foundation areas for action, and focus on priority populations. It addresses access to services, workforce development, safety, quality, promotion, and integrated health systems to enhance overall wellbeing. 

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
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Healthy mouths, healthy lives - Australia's National Oral Health Plan 2015-2024
/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