Skip to main content

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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 81 to 100 of 119 result(s)
/quality-standards/national-allied-health-workforce-strategy

National Allied Health Workforce Strategy

Guidance
Last Updated

The National Allied Health Workforce Strategy outlines a plan to address workforce challenges, including the shortage of allied health professionals in Australia. It focuses on aligning the supply of professionals with current and future needs, ensuring workforce safety and quality, and enhancing sector-specific data collection. The strategy aims to support workforce planning and development.

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
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning
National Allied Health Workforce Strategy
/quality-standards/partnerships-care-agreement-sample

Partnerships in Care Agreement – Sample

Tool

This resource is a sample of what a partner agreement might look like. It can be used as a template. This document has been created to support aged care providers and individuals where all parties would like to put an agreement in place. 

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
Person-centred care, Dignity, respect and privacy, Infection prevention and control
Standard
1: The Individual, 4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 1.2: Dignity, respect and privacy, 4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Partnerships in care agreement
/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/our-work-related-rural-health-workforce

Our work related to the rural health workforce

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides an overview of various initiatives and programs supporting the rural health workforce in Australia. It includes training programs, scholarships, and recruitment schemes aimed at addressing workforce shortages in rural and remote areas. The resource outlines efforts to improve healthcare access and quality through targeted support for medical and nursing professionals. 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
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning
Our work related to the rural health workforce
/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-medical-workforce-strategy-2021-2031

National Medical Workforce Strategy 2021–2031

Guidance
Published date

This resource outlines the National Medical Workforce Strategy 2021–2031, developed to guide long-term medical planning across Australia. It provides a structured approach to creating a sustainable, well-trained medical workforce. The strategy includes 25 actions under 5 priority areas: collaboration, rebalancing supply, reforming training, building generalist capabilities, and ensuring workforce flexibility. 

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
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning
National Medical Workforce Strategy 2021–2031
/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/national-nursing-workforce-strategy

National Nursing Workforce Strategy

Guidance
Last Updated

The resource provides information on the National Nursing Workforce Strategy, which outlines long-term plans for workforce sustainability, diversity, and development. It supports collaboration among stakeholders, promotes evidence-based care, and addresses challenges in regional and remote areas to ensure quality nursing care across the healthcare system. 

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
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning
National Nursing Workforce Strategy
/quality-standards/governing-reform-aged-care-program

Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program

Guidance

This resource outlines the Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program, designed to strengthen corporate and clinical governance capabilities for aged care leaders. It provides tools, online learning modules, webinars, and podcasts to support governance improvement and help leaders engage in reform efforts. 

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
Corporate and clinical governance, Accountability and quality system, Risk management system, Incident management system, Feedback and complaints management system, Information management system, Workforce and human resources management, Emergency and disaster management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.1: Partnering with individuals, 2.2a: Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support aged care workers to deliver quality care, 2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures, 2.4: Risk management, 2.5: Incident management, 2.6a: Complaints and feedback management for aged care workers, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals, 2.7: Information management, 2.8: Workforce planning, 2.9: Human resource management, 2.10: Emergency and disaster management
Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program
/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/user-guide-clinical-pathway-older-people-aged-care-homes-suspected-urinary-tract-infections

User guide to the Clinical Pathway for older people in aged care homes: suspected urinary tract infections

Guides
Published date
Last Updated

This user guide relates to the 'Clinical Pathway for older people in aged care homes: suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs)'.

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
Elderly man with walker and cap, a younger man has his hand on his shoulder while they walk
/quality-standards/clinical-pathways-suspected-utis-forms

Clinical pathways for suspected UTIs forms

Tool
Published date
Last Updated

These clinical forms are part of the 'Clinical Pathway for older people in aged care homes: suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs)'.

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
Form with multiple tables and boxes
/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/fact-sheet-improving-antimicrobial-prescribing-through-selective-reporting-antimicrobials

Fact sheet - Improving antimicrobial prescribing through selective reporting of antimicrobials

Fact sheet
Published date
Last Updated

This fact sheet provides guidance on improving antimicrobial prescribing through selective reporting of antimicrobials for health service organisations and primary care providers. It includes information on diagnostic stewardship, definitions and the importance of selective reporting and other relevant information to support organisations and providers. 

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 - Improving antimicrobial prescribing through selective reporting of antimicrobials
/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/care-and-support-mental-health-resources

Care and Support Mental Health Resources

Guidance

This resource offers mental health and trauma-informed care materials to support aged care, home care, and disability support workers. Developed with industry consultation, it provides strategies to improve worker wellbeing, manage workplace stress, and integrate trauma-informed practices, addressing common challenges like burnout and occupational stress.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning
Care and Support Mental Health Resources
/quality-standards/allied-health-regulation

Allied health regulation

Guidance

This resource provides information about the regulation of allied health professions in Australia. It includes those registered under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) and self-regulating professions managed by professional peak bodies. It also provides links to further information about allied health professions currently registered with AHPRA and information for overseas-qualified practitioners.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Assessment and planning, Care coordination and transitions
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care, 2.8: Workforce planning, 2.9: Human resource management
Allied health regulation
/quality-standards/self-care-matters-aged-care

Self-Care Matters Aged Care

Guidance

This resource supports aged care workers in managing stress and maintaining mental and physical wellbeing. It includes videos and tools focused on self-care strategies, such as mindfulness, relaxation, and personalised self-care planning. The resource is designed to help prevent burnout and promote resilience in delivering high-quality care in aged care settings.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management, Accountability and quality system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.2a: Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support aged care workers to deliver quality care, 2.8: Workforce planning
Self-Care Matters Aged Care