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.
Dementia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
This resource provides information on dementia tailored specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It offers culturally appropriate materials, guidance for health professionals, and support services tailored to the needs of Indigenous communities, promoting awareness, diagnosis, and management of dementia in these populations.
Palliative care knowledge network - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander care
This resource provides culturally safe and responsive palliative care information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It includes guidance for health professionals on culturally appropriate care, patient and family journeys, and relevant research and practices to support respectful and effective healthcare for Indigenous communities.
Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing - Resources
This page offers a wide range of resources aimed at helping aged care providers deliver culturally inclusive services. It includes multilingual communication cards, cultural care plans, and practice guides that help address the cultural, linguistic, and spiritual needs of people in care. The resources make sure aged care services are accessible, safe, and appropriate for culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
Embracing food from diverse cultures
This resource provides a module designed to help aged care chefs and cooks manage the nutritional needs and food preferences of culturally diverse populations. It focuses on supporting cultural traditions, involving people in menu planning, and enhancing engagement during meals. The module offers practical skills, recipes, and continuous access to resources, promoting inclusivity in aged care dining service.
Draft National Consumer Engagement Strategy for Health and Wellbeing
This resource presents the Draft National Consumer Engagement Strategy for Health and Wellbeing, which aims to foster partnerships between health policymakers and communities. It is designed to involve people and communities in the development and implementation of preventive health policies. The strategy supports policymakers and program developers in engaging effectively with consumers to achieve improved health outcomes across Australia.
NSQHS Standards User guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
The resource provides a guide for health service organisations to improve care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, focusing on 6 specific actions. It highlights strategies to build partnerships, enhance cultural competency, and ensure equitable, safe, and high-quality care.
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.
Cultural Respect Framework 2016-2026 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
This resource outlines a national approach to building a culturally respectful health system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It focuses on 6 domains, including communication, workforce development, and data evaluation, to ensure culturally safe, accessible care. It is applicable to aged care, helping providers meet cultural safety standards and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Food and nutrition - Practice guide
This resource focuses on culturally inclusive food and nutrition practices in aged care settings. It outlines the importance of considering cultural, religious, and personal food preferences when preparing meals. The guide suggests involving people in menu planning, conducting regular dietary assessments, and providing culturally appropriate meals and utensils. The resource also highlights the value of celebrating cultural events and ensuring meals meet both nutritional needs and cultural expectations.
Healing Foundation - Resources
This resource provides access to a range of materials aimed at promoting healing within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It includes documents on trauma, healing projects, and initiatives like the Stolen Generations redress schemes. Providers can use these resources to understand historical and ongoing trauma and support culturally sensitive care within aged care environments, fostering healing and resilience.
Trauma & Aged Care - Support and Information Hub
This resource provides information and support for aged care providers, workers, and people in aged care who may have experienced trauma. It offers resources to address trauma-related issues, both for those affected and for those providing care. It also provides guidance for aged care managers and the workforce to ensure trauma-informed care practices are integrated into aged care services.
Tips for Careworkers: First Australians – Communication
This resource offers guidance on culturally appropriate communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in aged care. It highlights the importance of respecting cultural identity, involving family, and providing person-centred care. The resource provides practical tips for careworkers to ensure culturally sensitive and respectful communication.
Consumer and carer engagement: A practical guide
This resource provides a guide for engaging consumers and carers in mental health services. It outlines steps for involving people in decision-making, service design, and evaluation. The guide emphasises co-design, leadership, and dedicated resources to create a person-centred approach that improves care and service outcomes.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031
This resource outlines the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031, which focuses on improving health outcomes through culturally safe, prevention-focused care. It emphasises addressing cultural and social determinants of health across the life course. The plan supports self-determination, eliminating racism, and fostering partnerships with community-controlled health services to make sure equitable access to health and wellbeing services.
National Agreement on Closing the Gap
This resource outlines the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, focusing on improving life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It includes key areas for joint national action, prioritising cultural safety and addressing inequalities. The agreement encourages collaboration with communities to monitor progress and ensure accountability.
Working with diverse groups in aged care - Resources
This resource provides guidance for aged care providers on working with people from diverse backgrounds. It includes information on caring for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, LGBTI elders, care leavers, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders. Training programs and resources are available to support culturally appropriate care. 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.
Improving accommodation in residential aged care
This resource provides information on improving accommodation in residential aged care through the National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines, effective from July 2024. It covers areas such as creating dementia-friendly environments, improving access to outdoor spaces, fostering community connections, and ensuring privacy. The guidelines aim to promote independence and a home-like atmosphere.
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.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health program
This resource provides information on a mental health program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It includes funding for culturally appropriate mental health services, offering psychological therapies, complex care, and clinical coordination. The program integrates with other services such as drug and alcohol support and suicide prevention initiatives.
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.
Common barriers
This resource outlines common barriers faced by diverse groups in accessing aged care services, including communication challenges, social isolation, experiences of trauma, grief and loss, and social exclusion. It provides guidance on addressing these issues to make sure equitable access to services for all older people.
First Nations - YouTube videos
This resource includes a series of YouTube videos developed by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Australian First Nations older people discuss good quality, culturally appropriate and safe aged care, including person-centred care, rights and how to speak up about care. 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.
Silver Rainbow: Ageing and Aged Care
This resource is about the Silver Rainbow project to improve the experiences of LGBTI people as they age and enter aged care. The resource offers resources and training information to support the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ older people. It also includes relevant reports and papers, such as government submissions.