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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 101 to 120 of 133 result(s)
/quality-standards/palliative-care-education-and-training

Palliative care education and training

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides information on free palliative care education programs available for health and aged care workers. It includes details about various training opportunities, such as online courses and in-person sessions, designed to enhance skills in delivering high-quality palliative care. The programs cover key topics like symptom management, communication, and multidisciplinary 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
Palliative and end of life care
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
Palliative care education and training
/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-framework-advance-care-planning-documents

National framework for advance care planning documents

Guidance
Published date
Last Updated

This resource provides a nationally consistent framework for advance care planning documents in Australia. It outlines principles, ethical considerations, and best practices for creating, implementing, and accessing advance care plans, including Advance Care Directives. It aims to guide policymakers, administrators, and healthcare providers in recognising people’s values, preferences, and rights regarding future 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
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
National framework for advance care planning documents
/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/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/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-b-advance-care-planning

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Advance care planning

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide covers advance care planning for older adults, detailing the process of discussing patients' values, appointing a decision-maker, and documenting preferences for future care. It outlines the general practitioner’s role, steps for initiating discussions, assessing decision-making capacity, storing care plans, and ensuring patients' wishes are respected during their illness trajectory.

Author
External resource
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
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Advance care planning
/quality-standards/palliative-care-knowledge-network-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-care

Palliative care knowledge network - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander care

Guidance
Last Updated

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.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Palliative and end of life care
Standard
1: The Individual, 3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
Palliative care knowledge network - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander care
/quality-standards/advance-care-planning-australia

Advance Care Planning Australia

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides information on advance care planning, which enables people to make decisions about their future health care in case they are unable to communicate their preferences. It helps ensure that healthcare providers and loved ones understand and respect their treatment choices. The resource includes tools, forms, and advice for creating an advance care plan.

Author
External resource
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 Australia
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-infection-and-sepsis

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Infection and sepsis

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide provides information on preventing and managing infections and sepsis in aged care settings. It includes recommendations on vaccination, antibiotic stewardship, recognising symptoms, and managing conditions such as respiratory, urinary tract, skin, and gastrointestinal infections. It also covers risk assessment, treatment considerations, and the role of general practitioners in infection control.

Author
External resource
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
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Infection and sepsis
/quality-standards/aseptic-technique

Aseptic technique

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides information on aseptic techniques to support service provides adapt practices to protect patients from healthcare-associated infections and healthcare workers from contact with blood, body fluid and body tissue. It provides guides for implementation, principles of aseptic technique and safe use of chlorhexidine. 

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
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
Aseptic technique
/quality-standards/amr-antimicrobial-resistance

AMR - Antimicrobial resistance

Guidance

The AMR provides information on antimicrobial resistance and it's threats to human and animal health. It contains information on how to reduce it's spread, news, AMR resources and other resources on antimicrobial resistance.

Author
External resource
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
AMR - Antimicrobial resistance
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-poster-airborne-precautions-poster

Infection Prevention and Control Poster - Airborne precautions poster

Poster
Published date

This poster outlines airborne precautions, in addition to standard precautions, for infection prevention and control. It provides guidance on preventing transmission of infectious agents through airborne droplet nuclei using personal protective equipment (PPE), negative pressure rooms, and limiting patient movement to reduce infection risks​. 

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 Poster - Airborne precautions poster
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-poster-combined-airborne-and-contact-precautions

Infection Prevention and Control Poster – Combined airborne and contact precautions

Poster
Published date

This poster provides guidance on combined airborne and contact precautions for infection prevention and control. It includes information on using personal protective equipment (PPE) and other measures to minimise the spread of infectious agents transmitted through both airborne particles and direct contact. 

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 Poster – Combined airborne and contact precautions