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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 took effect from 1 November 2025. You can search for resources by using keywords, or filtering by standard, outcome and audience. Before using the Resource Centre, please read the terms of use.

Displaying 121 to 140 of 294 result(s)
/quality-standards/health-workforce

Health workforce

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides an overview of the support and programs available for Australia's health workforce, including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and mental health workers. It highlights incentives, training, and initiatives to address workforce shortages, particularly in rural and remote areas, ensuring Australians receive the care they need across the country. 

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
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning
Health workforce
/quality-standards/supporting-visitors-and-partners-care-ipc

Supporting visitors and partners in care with IPC

Guidance

This resource offers guidance for aged care providers on supporting visitors and partners in care through infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. It includes training resources to help visitors follow IPC protocols and maintain safe care, especially during infectious outbreaks, through the 'Partnerships in Care' program. 

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
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
Supporting visitors and partners in care with IPC
/quality-standards/iceg-endorsed-resources-infection-prevention-and-control

ICEG-endorsed resources for infection prevention and control

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource collection includes guidance on infection prevention and control practices endorsed by the Infection Prevention and Control Expert Group (ICEG). It supports health and aged care providers with best practices related to COVID-19, personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning, disinfection, and minimising transmission risks in institutional and community 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
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
ICEG-endorsed resources for infection prevention and control
/quality-standards/immunisations-health-care-workers

Immunisations for health care workers

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines recommended immunisations for healthcare workers, emphasising the importance of vaccination to prevent disease transmission to vulnerable populations. It lists vaccines such as Hepatitis B, Influenza, MMR, Pertussis, and Varicella, and highlights more requirements for workers in specific settings or with higher risks of exposure. 

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
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 2.9: Human resource management
Immunisations for health care workers
/quality-standards/hot-water-scalding

Hot water scalding

Guidance
Published date

This page provides guidance for aged care providers on preventing and responding to hot water scalding incidents. It highlights the importance of staff oversight, proper training, and temperature checks when providing care. It also includes immediate first aid steps for burns, helping to reduce risks for vulnerable people, especially 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
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home, 4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Hot water scalding
/quality-standards/home-services

Home services

Guidance

This page provides guidance for home service providers delivering care to older people in their homes. It outlines how providers must follow the Aged Care Quality Standards, conduct regular assessments, manage risks, and ensure the safety of vulnerable people. It includes resources to help providers identify and manage 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
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home
Home services
/quality-standards/staphylococcus-aureus-bloodstream-infection-sabsi-prevention-resources

Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (SABSI) prevention resources

Guidance
Published date

This resource offers guidelines for preventing Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (SABSI) in healthcare settings. It covers infection control strategies, including hand hygiene, device management, and surgical site care, helping organisations reduce infection risks and comply with national SABSI prevention 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
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
Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (SABSI) prevention resources
/quality-standards/summer-clinical-alert-caring-older-people-hot-weather

Summer clinical alert: Caring for older people in hot weather

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides a summer clinical alert for aged care providers, focusing on safeguarding older people during extreme heat. It includes guidance on identifying vulnerable people, creating action plans, monitoring hydration, and recognising heat-related illnesses. It helps providers prepare for heatwaves and protect those in 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
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management
Summer clinical alert: Caring for older people in hot weather
/quality-standards/sirs-insights-reports

SIRS insights reports

Report

This resource provides Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) insights reports, offering case study examples and data to help aged care providers improve incident management practices. The reports feature learnings from incidents such as unexplained absences and unreasonable use of force, helping providers assess their own practices and enhance care quality​. 

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
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.5: Incident management
SIRS insights reports
/quality-standards/star-ratings

Star ratings

Guidance

This resource explains the star rating system for residential aged care homes, which helps people make informed care decisions. It outlines ratings based on compliance, quality measures, residents’ experiences, and staffing minutes. Providers are evaluated on their performance, with ratings updated daily to reflect changes in compliance. 

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
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures
Star ratings
/quality-standards/incident-management-systems

Incident Management Systems

Guidance

This resource explains Incident Management Systems (IMS) used in aged care to record, manage, and respond to incidents. It provides guidance on building a safety culture, recording and analysing incidents, and implementing steps to prevent reoccurrences, supporting continuous improvement in care delivery. 

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
Standard
2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
2.5: Incident management, 3.3: Communicating for safety and quality
Incident Management Systems
/quality-standards/serious-incident-response-scheme-sirs

Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS), which helps reduce abuse and neglect of older people in aged care services. It mandates that Commonwealth-subsidised aged care providers implement systems to manage and prevent serious incidents. Providers must report incidents such as abuse, neglect, and unlawful contact, ensuring older people’s safety and wellbeing. 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
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.5: Incident management
Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-resources-consumers

Infection prevention and control resources for consumers

Fact sheet
Last Updated

This resource provides fact sheets for consumers and carers on infection prevention and control, including hand hygiene and healthcare-associated infections. It covers common infections such as MRSA, CPE, and CDI, offering guidance on prevention, treatment, and risk factors to help reduce the spread of infections 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
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
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 resources for consumers
/quality-standards/shield-yourself-shingles

Shield yourself from shingles

Guidance

This resource provides information on the shingles vaccine, which is free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over. It explains the risks of shingles, vaccination locations, and potential side effects. The document encourages older adults to discuss vaccination with their healthcare professional to protect against shingles. 

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
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
Shield yourself from shingles
/quality-standards/set-access-my-aged-care

Set up access to My Aged Care

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance for aged care assessors and service providers on accessing and using the My Aged Care portals. It outlines steps for setting up secure access through authentication methods, managing organisation information, and creating staff accounts, supporting efficient service delivery and assessment processes. 

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
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
5.1: Clinical governance, 2.7: Information management
Set up access to My Aged Care
/quality-standards/independence-and-conflict-interest

Independence and conflict of interest

Guidance

This resource outlines the principles for managing independence and conflicts of interest in aged care provider governance. It includes guidance on maintaining impartiality, identifying potential conflicts, and implementing conflict-of-interest policies. It helps providers ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of people receiving 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
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.9: Human resource management
Independence and conflict of interest
/quality-standards/serious-incidents

Serious incidents

Guidance

This resource provides information on how aged care providers should respond to serious incidents, ensuring the safety, health, and wellbeing of people in care. It outlines mandatory reporting requirements for incidents such as abuse, neglect, or financial coercion under the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS), aiming to promote transparency and accountability 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
External resource
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.5: Incident management
Serious incidents
/quality-standards/serious-incident-response-scheme

The Serious Incident Response Scheme

Guidance

This resource provides an introduction to the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS), outlining its role in managing and reporting serious incidents in aged care. It includes guidance on incident management systems, the responsibilities of managers and workers, and reporting requirements for residential and home services​. 

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
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.5: Incident management
The Serious Incident Response Scheme
/quality-standards/sequence-putting-and-removing-personal-protective-equipment-ppe

Sequence for putting on and removing personal protective equipment (PPE)

Poster
Published date

This poster outlines the correct sequence for putting on and removing personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce the transmission of infectious agents. It provides step-by-step instructions for healthcare workers to ensure safe use of gowns, masks, gloves, and protective eyewear​. 

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
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
Sequence for putting on and removing personal protective equipment (PPE)
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-week-2023-presentation-basics-infection-prevention-and-control

Infection Prevention and Control Week 2023 - Presentation - Basics of Infection prevention and control

Presentations
Published date

This resource provides a presentation for Infection Prevention and Control Week 2023 covers hand hygiene, standard and transmission-based precautions, managing invasive devices, and antimicrobial stewardship. It provides foundational knowledge for healthcare workers to prevent and control infections in 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
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 Week 2023 - Presentation - Basics of Infection prevention and control