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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 81 to 100 of 255 result(s)
/quality-standards/hand-hygiene-helping-others-hand-hygiene

Hand Hygiene - Helping others with hand hygiene

Video
Published date

Infection prevention and control helps to stop the spread of germs like bacteria and viruses that cause respiratory infections and gastroenteritis. Hand hygiene is a very important part of this. 

In this video you will learn how to clean another person's hands.

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
Hand hygiene video thumbnail
/quality-standards/your-role-infection-prevention-and-control-when-visiting-aged-care-service

Your role in infection prevention and control when visiting an aged care service

Video
Published date

Infection prevention and control, also known as IPC, are the steps and processes that people can use to reduce the spread of harmful germs and bacteria. 

People who visit aged care services can help support IPC processes.

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
Your role in infection prevention and control video thumbnail
/quality-standards/first-nations-workplace-poster-standard-3-care-and-services

First Nations – Workplace poster – Standard 3 Care and services

Poster
Published date

These workplace standards posters demonstrate the strengthened Standards and what they mean for aged care providers and workers. You can print these out and display them around your workplace.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Standard
3: The Care and Services
Planning person-centred care and services for older mob
/quality-standards/are-you-alert-and-ready-safeguarding-against-infectious-illness-aged-care-settings

Are you alert and ready? Safeguarding against infectious illness in aged care settings

Fact sheet
Published date

Older Australians, particularly those that reside in residential aged care settings or in multigenerational households, are vulnerable to the ongoing risk of contracting and becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 and other highly infectious illnesses such as influenza and gastroenteritis.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Emergency and disaster management, Infection prevention and control
Standard
2: The Organisation, 4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management, 4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
are you alert and ready thumbnail
/quality-standards/partnerships-care-partner-information-package

Partnerships in care – Partner information package

Guidance, Guides
Published date

The partner information pack presents information for all people visiting and volunteering in residential aged care services. The resource includes information on the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC), the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and changes in what you need to do if you visit during an outbreak. 

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 cover image
/quality-standards/dip-or-not-dip-australian-residential-aged-care-services-project-findings

To Dip or Not to Dip in Australian residential aged care services - project findings

Report
Published date

This visual abstract presents outcomes from a quality improvement project aimed at reducing low-value urine dipstick testing in aged care services. It included nurse education, implementing clinical pathways for UTI identification, and evaluating urinalysis practices and antibiotic prescribing. The findings demonstrate improved antibiotic prescribing appropriateness for UTIs over a 6-month follow-up period. 

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
TDONTD project findings - thumbnail
/quality-standards/dip-or-not-dip-huddle-tool-a3-poster

To Dip or Not to Dip - huddle tool A3 poster

Poster
Published date

This huddle tool poster provides guidance on appropriate use of urine dipstick tests in older adults. It explains that asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is common and not harmful, but that unnecessary antibiotic treatment can be. It suggests confirming urinary tract infections (UTIs) through clinical symptoms rather than dipstick results. 

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
To dip or not to dip huddle poster thumbnail
/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/5-moments-hand-hygiene-aged-care

The 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene in aged care

Poster
Published date

This resource is a poster outlining the ‘5 Moments for Hand Hygiene’ in aged care settings. It provides clear guidance on when to perform hand hygiene: before touching a person, before a procedure, immediately after a procedure or bodily fluid exposure, after touching a person, and after touching a person'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
The 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene in aged care
/quality-standards/aged-care-infection-prevention-and-control-guide-summary-resource

The Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Guide: summary resource

Guidance
Published date

This summary provides an overview of the Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Guide. It includes key topics such as IPC systems, risk assessment, standard and transmission-based precautions, staff health and safety, antimicrobial stewardship, and continuous quality improvement. It supports aged care providers in maintaining infection control 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
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
The Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Guide: summary resource
/quality-standards/australian-immunisation-handbook

The Australian Immunisation Handbook

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides clinical advice for health professionals on the safe and effective use of vaccines. It includes guidelines for vaccine administration, special risk groups, and updates on vaccine-preventable diseases. The handbook is a comprehensive reference for ensuring the best immunisation practices, particularly important in protecting vulnerable populations, including those in aged 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.

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
The Australian Immunisation Handbook
/quality-standards/aura-2023-highlights-aged-care

AURA 2023 Highlights for Aged care

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource summarises key findings from the AURA 2023 report, focusing on antimicrobial use and resistance in aged care. It provides priorities for action to reduce inappropriate prescriptions, promote antimicrobial stewardship, and improve infection prevention and control in aged care settings, aligning with quality standards to enhance care for older 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
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
AURA 2023 Highlights for Aged care
/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/ariia-knowledge-and-implementation-hub-resources

ARIIA Knowledge and Implementation Hub - Resources

Guidance
Last Updated

The ARIIA Resources Hub is an evidence-based guide that supports innovation across the aged care sector. It provides a comprehensive collection of tools, guidelines, and frameworks for aged care providers, focusing on technology adoption, clinical standards, and care improvement strategies. The hub offers resources to enhance service quality and support the digital transformation of aged 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.

Author
External resource
Standard
4: The Environment, 3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care, 2: The Organisation, 1: The Individual, 4: The Environment, 7: The Residential Community
ARIIA Knowledge and Implementation Hub - Resources
/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/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