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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 141 to 160 of 247 result(s)
/quality-standards/complaints-concerns

Complaints & concerns

Guidance

This resource explains how to raise complaints or concerns about aged care services. It outlines the complaints process, how to submit confidential or anonymous complaints, and the importance of good complaints handling in improving care quality. Providers are required to have systems for addressing and resolving complaints. 

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
Feedback and complaints management system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.6a: Complaints and feedback management for aged care workers, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals
Complaints & concerns
/quality-standards/consumer-advisory-bodies

Consumer advisory bodies

Guidance

This resource explains the role of consumer advisory bodies in aged care, which provide feedback to governing bodies on care and services. It outlines the process for joining, the importance of feedback in decision-making, and the responsibility of providers to offer participation opportunities annually​. 

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
Feedback and complaints management system, Person-centred care
Standard
2: The Organisation, 1: The Individual
Outcomes
2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals, 1.1: Person-centred care
Consumer advisory bodies
/quality-standards/raising-concerns-and-making-effective-complaint

Raising concerns and making an effective complaint

Guidance

This resource provides guidance on how to raise concerns and make an effective complaint in aged care. It offers practical tips, a checklist, and tools to help people clearly communicate their issues with service providers. It also explains how to escalate complaints to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission if necessary. 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
Feedback and complaints management system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals
Raising concerns and making an effective complaint
/quality-standards/older-persons-advocacy-network

Older Persons Advocacy Network

Guidance

This resource provides information on aged care advocacy services, offering free and confidential support to older people receiving government-funded aged care. It includes resources to help people understand their rights, navigate the aged care system, and access advocacy for issues such as care quality, decision-making, and protection from harm. 

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
Choice, independence and quality of life, Feedback and complaints management system
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals
Older Persons Advocacy Network
/quality-standards/first-nations-visual-information-sheet-your-rights-when-accessing-aged-care

First Nations - Visual information sheet - Your rights when accessing aged care

Guidance
Published date
Yarning about your aged care  (PDF  645.07 KB)
Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Feedback and complaints management system
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals
Yarning aged care
/quality-standards/training-and-guidance-aged-care-providers

Training and guidance for aged care providers

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides training and guidance for aged care providers on essential topics such as dementia care, managing infectious diseases, emergency planning, and restrictive practices. It also includes information on upskilling the workforce and using electronic medication charts. The resource is designed to help providers maintain high-quality care and meet regulatory requirements 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
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.9: Human resource management
Training and guidance for aged care providers
/quality-standards/managing-emergency-situations

Managing emergency situations

Guidance

This resource outlines strategies for managing emergency situations, focusing on risk mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. It includes guidelines on emergency planning, crisis leadership, and community engagement, emphasising coordinated efforts across various sectors to handle natural or human-caused disasters.

Guidance and requirements may differ across states and territories. Users are responsible for considering their individual circumstances and specific state-based regulations and legislation.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Emergency and disaster management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management
Managing emergency situations
/quality-standards/provider-governance-policy

Provider Governance Policy

Guidance, Policy
Published date

Under the new Act, registered providers will need to meet certain governance obligations.

Our Provider Governance Policy outlines our expectations of providers and guiding principles of good governance. It includes:

  • definitions and principles of good governance
  • provider governance obligations
  • how we collect provider governance information  
  • how we respond to provider governance risks.
Provider Governance Policy  (PDF  2.07 MB)
Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Accountability and quality system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures
Provider governance policy
/quality-standards/your-questions-answered-compliance

Your questions answered – Compliance

Video
Published date
Last Updated

In this video, Peter Edwards, Executive Director, Compliance and Enforcement Group, answers your questions about how we will manage non-compliance from 1 November 2025. 

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Accountability and quality system, Risk management system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures, 2.4: Risk management
Your questions answered – Compliance
/quality-standards/supporting-better-communication-care

Supporting Better Communication & Care

Guidance

This webpage provides resources to help improve communication, care and support for people who are deaf, Deaf, hard of hearing, or who experience hearing loss. It includes 3 tools: Everyday Communication, Inclusive Healthcare, and Building Competency. There are also links to other relevant resources.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Clinical safety
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
3.3: Communicating for safety and quality, 5.5: Safety of clinical care services
Supporting Better Communication & Care
/quality-standards/case-study-safe-and-appropriate-use-psychotropic-medicines-residential-aged-care

Case study - Safe and Appropriate use of Psychotropic Medicines - Residential Aged Care

Guidance
Published date

This resource is a fictional scenario that follows an older person’s care pathway with a residential aged care provider. The resource focuses on the systems and processes to support high-quality care of older people living with cognitive impairment. It includes 4 key priority areas: person-centred care, medication management, managing changed behaviours and transitions of 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
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Medication management
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, 5.3: Safe and quality use of medicines, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  
Case study - Safe and Appropriate use of Psychotropic Medicines - Residential Aged Care
/quality-standards/case-study-safe-and-appropriate-use-psychotropic-medicines-home-aged-care

Case study - Safe and Appropriate use of Psychotropic Medicines - In-home Aged Care

Guidance
Published date

This resource is a fictional scenario that follows an older person’s care pathway with an in-home aged care provider. The resource focuses on the systems and processes to support high-quality care of older people living with dementia. It includes 4 key priority areas: person-centred care, medication management, managing changed behaviours and transitions of 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
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Medication management
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, 5.3: Safe and quality use of medicines, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  
Case study - Safe and Appropriate use of Psychotropic Medicines - In-home Aged Care
/quality-standards/safe-and-appropriate-use-psychotropic-medicines-aged-care-fact-sheet

Safe and appropriate use of psychotropic medicines for aged care - Fact sheet

Fact sheet
Published date

This fact sheet is informed by the Psychotropic Medicines in Cognitive Disability or Impairment Clinical Care Standard (CCS), developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. The CCS describes the safe and appropriate use of psychotropic medicines for people with cognitive disability or impairment, in a way that upholds their rights, dignity, health and 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
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Medication management
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, 5.3: Safe and quality use of medicines, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  
Safe and appropriate use of psychotropic medicines for aged care - Fact sheet
/quality-standards/food-focus-group-resources

Food focus group resources

Guidance
Published date

This resource is a collection of resources about food focus groups. It includes a fact sheet about setting up a food focus group and a checklist for an effective food focus group. It also contains associated templates, including agenda, minutes, terms of reference and feedback form. 

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, Corporate and clinical governance, Food and nutrition
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 2.1: Partnering with individuals, 6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks
Food focus group resources
/quality-standards/what-open-disclosure-video

What is open disclosure? - video

Video
Published date
Last Updated

This video explains open disclosure and what older people can expect from their registered provider during the process. It highlights key aspects such as communication, transparency, and how concerns will be addressed. 

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Accountability and quality system, Feedback and complaints management system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures, 2.6a: Complaints and feedback management for aged care workers, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals
Open disclosure - video
/quality-standards/how-support-everyday-decision-making-people-living-dementia-residential-aged-care-guide-care-workers

How to support everyday decision-making for people living with dementia in residential aged care: A guide for care workers

Guidance
Published date

This guide offers practical strategies for care workers to support people with dementia in making everyday decisions within residential aged care settings. It covers communication techniques, promoting choice in personal care and daily activities, understanding body language, and emphasises person-centred care while respecting residents' preferences, dignity, and rights.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Assessment and planning, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Choice, independence and quality of life
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care, 1: The Individual
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  , 1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life
How to support everyday decision-making for people living with dementia in residential aged care: A guide for care workers
/quality-standards/care-and-support-mental-health-resources

Care and Support Mental Health Resources

Guidance

This resource offers mental health and trauma-informed care materials to support aged care, home care, and disability support workers. Developed with industry consultation, it provides strategies to improve worker wellbeing, manage workplace stress, and integrate trauma-informed practices, addressing common challenges like burnout and occupational stress.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning
Care and Support Mental Health Resources
/quality-standards/allied-health-regulation

Allied health regulation

Guidance

This resource provides information about the regulation of allied health professions in Australia. It includes those registered under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) and self-regulating professions managed by professional peak bodies. It also provides links to further information about allied health professions currently registered with AHPRA and information for overseas-qualified practitioners.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Assessment and planning, Care coordination and transitions
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care, 2.8: Workforce planning, 2.9: Human resource management
Allied health regulation
/quality-standards/mental-health-and-wellbeing-suicidal-thoughts-and-self-harm

Mental health and wellbeing - Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource examines suicidal thoughts and self-harm in older adults, particularly in residential aged care. It discusses associated risk factors, the prevalence of mental health conditions, what organisations and individuals can do and gaps in understanding suicide risk. It also reviews interventions, highlighting the need for mental health assessments and training to improve detection and care.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety, Assessment and planning
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 3.1 Assessment and planning
Mental health and wellbeing - Suicidal thoughts and self-harm
/quality-standards/mental-health-and-wellbeing-screening-tools

Mental health and wellbeing - Screening tools

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource covers screening tools for detecting anxiety and depression in older adults, especially in residential aged care. It discusses the importance of mental health screening, steps individuals and organisations can take, choosing appropriate tools, and highlights tools such as the Geriatric Depression Scale and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. It emphasises early detection and routine mental health screening in aged care.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Clinical safety, Assessment and planning
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 3.1 Assessment and planning
Mental health and wellbeing - Screening tools