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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 121 to 138 of 138 result(s)
/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
/quality-standards/break-chain-infection-poster

Break The Chain of Infection Poster

Poster
Published date

This poster outlines key steps to break the chain of infection, including staying home if unwell, physical distancing, frequent handwashing, cleaning surfaces, and covering coughs or sneezes. It aims to prevent the spread of respiratory infections and supports infection prevention practices in healthcare settings. 

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
Break The Chain of Infection Poster
/quality-standards/mental-health-and-wellbeing-dementia-and-mental-health

Mental health and wellbeing - Dementia and mental health

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource examines mental health challenges in people living with dementia, covering complexities in diagnosing conditions like depression and anxiety. It provides evidence-based insights on therapeutic approaches, including music and cognitive therapies, and offers tools to aid aged care providers in supporting mental health in dementia care.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Assessment and planning, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Clinical safety
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
3.1 Assessment and planning, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  
Mental health and wellbeing - Dementia and mental health
/quality-standards/national-infection-control-guidance-non-tuberculous-mycobacterium-infections-associated-heater-cooler-devices

National Infection Control Guidance Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium infections associated with heater-cooler devices

Guidance
Published date

This guidance addresses the infection risks associated with heater-cooler devices, particularly Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium infections. It provides recommendations for Australian healthcare organisations on managing these risks, including using safety notices and infection control guidelines. It should be used alongside state and territory health advice​. This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care and please consider the applicability of this resource to your care setting.

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
National Infection Control Guidance Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium infections associated with heater-cooler devices
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-poster-droplet-precautions-addition-standard-precautions-poster

Infection Prevention and Control Poster - Droplet precautions, in addition to standard precautions poster

Poster
Published date

This resource is a poster on droplet precautions, in addition to standard precautions, for infection prevention. It outlines measures to prevent the transmission of infectious agents spread through respiratory droplets, such as using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), patient placement, and minimising patient transport. This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care. Please consider the applicability of this resource to your care setting.

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 - Droplet precautions, in addition to standard precautions poster
/quality-standards/preventing-and-controlling-infections-standard

Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard

Guidance
Published date

The Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard (National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards) outlines infection prevention and control strategies, antimicrobial stewardship, the safe use of resources, and evidence-based practices. It aims to minimise infection risks and ensure the safety of people receiving care and workforce members. It also supports compliance with infection control standards in healthcare and aged care settings. This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care and please consider the applicability of this resource to your care setting.

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 and Controlling Infections Standard
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-poster-combined-contact-and-droplet-precautions

Infection Prevention and Control Poster – Combined contact and droplet precautions

Poster
Published date

This poster outlines combined contact and droplet precautions for infection prevention and control, in addition to standard precautions. It provides guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other measures to reduce the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact and respiratory droplets​. 

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 contact and droplet precautions
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-poster-contact-precautions-poster

Infection Prevention and Control Poster - Contact precautions poster

Poster
Published date

This poster outlines contact precautions for infection prevention and control, in addition to standard precautions. It provides guidance on preventing the transmission of infectious agents through direct or indirect contact. Key elements include using personal protective equipment, proper patient placement, and minimising patient movement​. This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care. Please consider the applicability of this resource to your care setting.

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 - Contact precautions poster
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-poster-standard-precautions-poster

Infection Prevention and Control Poster - Standard precautions poster

Poster
Published date

This resource is a poster on standard precautions for infection prevention and control in healthcare. It outlines essential practices such as hand hygiene, personal protective equipment use, environmental cleaning, and waste management. The poster helps healthcare workers minimise infection risks and maintain safe care environments. This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care. Please consider the applicability of this resource to your care setting.

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 - Standard precautions poster
/quality-standards/recommendations-control-carbapenemase-producing-enterobacterales

Recommendations for the control of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides guidance on preventing and managing carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) in healthcare. It covers screening, outbreak control, and environmental cleaning, helping to reduce antimicrobial resistance. The resource supports infection control policies and aims to enhance safety in aged care and health service organisations. 

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
Recommendations for the control of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales
/quality-standards/flu-and-covid-19-vaccination-program

Flu and COVID-19 vaccination program

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines the flu and COVID-19 vaccination program for residential aged care providers. It includes information about what services must do to take precautions to prevent and control the flu and COVID-19 and minimise infection-related risks. 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, Workforce and human resources management
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 2: The Organisation, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services, 2.9: Human resource management, 4.2: Infection prevention and control
Flu and COVID-19 vaccination program
/quality-standards/creating-behaviour-support-plans-better-support-residents

Creating behaviour support plans that better support residents 

Guidance
Published date

This document outlines the development of behaviour support plans (BSPs) in aged care, focusing on person-centred assessments, identification of triggers, tailored strategies, and regular reviews. It highlights the involvement of healthcare professionals and adherence to care principles to effectively manage residents’ behavioural changes and improve their quality of life. 

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
Assessment and planning, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Care coordination and transitions
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
5.6 Cognitive impairment  , 3.1 Assessment and planning, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
Creating behaviour support plans that better support residents 
/quality-standards/restrictive-practices-provider-resources

Restrictive practices provider resources

Guidance
Published date

This resource offers guidance and tools for aged care providers on managing restrictive practices. It emphasises using restrictive practices as a last resort, obtaining informed consent, and developing behaviour support plans. The materials include fact sheets, regulatory updates, webinars, and decision-making tools to ensure compliance with legislation and promote person-centred 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
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
5.6 Cognitive impairment  , 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
Restrictive practices provider resources
/quality-standards/dementia-friendly-environments-dining-areas-kitchens-and-eating

Dementia-friendly environments - Dining areas, kitchens and eating

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidelines for creating dementia-friendly dining and kitchen spaces, emphasising sensory engagement, personalised meal experiences, and a home-like environment. It includes practical adjustments for lighting, noise, seating, and social interaction to enhance dining enjoyment.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment, Food and nutrition
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care, 6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  , 6.4: Dining experience
Dementia-friendly environments - Dining areas, kitchens and eating
/quality-standards/dementia-enabling-environments

Dementia enabling environments

Guidance

The Dementia Enabling Environments website, developed by Alzheimer's WA, provides guidance and resources to help create enabling environments for a person living with dementia. It includes design principles for different environment types, include home and residential aged care facilities.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
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, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  
Dementia Enabling Environments
/quality-standards/national-roadmap-improving-health-people-intellectual-disability

National Roadmap for Improving the Health of People with Intellectual Disability

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines the National Roadmap for Improving the Health of People with Intellectual Disability, aiming to address health inequities. It focuses on enhancing care support, developing better models of care, improving oral health, and supporting health professionals. The roadmap includes projects on primary care, health assessments, curriculum development, and more.

Author
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.6 Cognitive impairment  
National Roadmap for Improving the Health of People with Intellectual Disability
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-acsqh

Infection prevention and control - ACSQH

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides guidelines to reduce infection transmission risks in healthcare settings. It provides information on standard and transmission-based precautions, specific diseases or conditions, other infection prevention and control strategies and promotional resources practices such as hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and environmental cleaning. 

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
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 and control
/quality-standards/coronavirus-covid-19-cleaning-and-disinfection-health-and-residential-aged-care-homes

Coronavirus (COVID-19) cleaning and disinfection for health and residential aged care homes

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource provides cleaning and disinfection guidance for health and residential aged care homes to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. It outlines cleaning protocols, frequency, and the use of appropriate disinfectants, ensuring safety for staff and residents. The document also covers procedures for cleaning after suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases. 

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
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment, Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 4.2: Infection prevention and control
Coronavirus (COVID-19) cleaning and disinfection for health and residential aged care homes