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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 169 result(s)
/quality-standards/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides information about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common and highly contagious respiratory virus. It explains symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention, highlighting that RSV can be serious for infants and older adults with chronic conditions. It also details how RSV cases are monitored through national surveillance systems. 

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
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection
/quality-standards/ipc-location-based-guidance

IPC location-based guidance

Tool

This resource provides infection prevention and control (IPC) location-based guidance tailored for aged care providers. It includes state and territory-specific IPC requirements and offers links to relevant Commonwealth and local guidance. The document helps providers access and prioritise the appropriate IPC information to maintain compliance with regulations. 

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
IPC location-based guidance
/quality-standards/ipc-resource-collection

IPC resource collection

Tool

This is an Infection and Prevention Control (IPC) resource tool. This tool can be used by both residential and home care providers to access key pieces of information and reference materials on infection prevention and control. The tool provides access to specific information by selecting a relevant topic and sub-topic. 

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
IPC resources
/quality-standards/laundry-and-infection-control-residential-aged-care

Laundry and Infection Control in Residential Aged Care

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on proper laundry procedures in residential aged care to support infection control. It explains how to handle soiled linen, manage laundry services, and prevent contamination. The resource aligns with infection control standards, helping aged care providers meet hygiene requirements and reduce the risk of pathogen transmission. 

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
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
Laundry and Infection Control in Residential Aged Care
/quality-standards/principles-aseptic-technique-information-healthcare-workers

Principles of aseptic technique: Information for healthcare workers

Guidance
Published date

This fact sheet provides principles of aseptic technique to support healthcare workers performing procedures requiring aseptic practices. It covers key concepts, differences between aseptic and sterile techniques, and application in clinical, pharmacy, and laboratory settings, emphasising infection prevention, standard precautions, and proper handling of equipment. 

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
Principles of aseptic technique: Information for healthcare workers
/quality-standards/preventing-infections-aged-care-consumer-fact-sheet

Preventing infections – aged care consumer fact sheet

Fact sheet
Published date

This fact sheet provides essential tips for older people on how to prevent infections. It covers hand hygiene, vaccinations, home cleaning, proper disposal of needles, and mental health care. The resource is designed to support infection prevention practices in both community and 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
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
Preventing infections – aged care consumer fact sheet
/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/oral-health-care-adult-patients-recommendations

Oral health care for adult patients - Recommendations

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides recommendations for oral health care in adult inpatients, focusing on preventing issues like aspiration pneumonia, infections, and malnutrition. It emphasises regular oral assessments and evidence-based care practices. Its principles are applicable in aged care settings to enhance overall 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
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Oral health care for adult patients - Recommendations
/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-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-safety-and-quality-digital-mental-health-standards

National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards

Guidance
Published date

These standards outline frameworks to ensure the safety and quality of digital mental health services in Australia. It includes standards for clinical and technical governance, partnering with consumers, and delivering a safe model of care. The standards aim to improve service quality, protect users, and establish guidelines for best practices across digital platforms. 

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
National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards
/quality-standards/nsqhs-standards-preventing-pressure-injuries-and-wound-management

NSQHS Standards - Preventing pressure injuries and wound management

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource provides guidance for organisations developing policies, procedures and protocols for preventing, screening, assessing, treating, monitoring and documenting pressure injuries. The fact sheet also provides a pressure injury flowchart for adult hospital admissions. 

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
NSQHS Standards - Preventing pressure injuries and wound management
/quality-standards/about-dentists-and-dental-practitioners

About dentists and dental practitioners

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines the roles and qualifications of dental professionals, including dentists, hygienists, and prosthetists, and their responsibilities in patient care. It emphasises the importance of registration, adherence to standards, and compliance monitoring to prevent fraud in Medicare billing and prescribing practices. 

Author
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Key Theme
Clinical safety
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services
About dentists and dental practitioners
/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