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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 1 to 20 of 21 result(s)
/quality-standards/translating-and-interpreting-service-tis-national

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)

Guidance, Tool

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) provides interpreting support for people with limited English proficiency and agencies requiring assistance to communicate with non-English-speaking clients. Services include telephone, on-site, and video interpreting, with options for both government and fee-paying clients across Australia.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 3.3: Communicating for safety and quality
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)
/quality-standards/overview-voluntary-assisted-dying

Overview of Voluntary Assisted Dying

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides an overview of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in Australia, detailing eligibility criteria, procedures, and legal requirements. It covers how VAD laws vary across jurisdictions, safeguards in place, and responsibilities for health professionals and institutions. Health professionals can conscientiously object but may still have legal responsibilities.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Palliative and end of life care
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
Overview of Voluntary Assisted Dying
/quality-standards/covid-19-information-workplaces-general

COVID-19 Information for workplaces - General

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on minimising the spread of COVID-19, including aged care settings. It outlines vaccine information, risk assessments, physical distancing, hygiene and rapid antigen testing in the workplace. It also contains key resources such as signage, posters and translated information.

Author
External resource
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
COVID-19 Information for workplaces - General
/quality-standards/clean-and-safe-environment

Clean and safe environment

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines processes to maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic environment in healthcare, including aged care. It provides guidance on infection control, environmental cleaning, and staff training to reduce risks and make sure high-quality care. The document also covers responding to environmental risks, maintaining equipment, and infection prevention practices. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Clean and safe environment
/quality-standards/action-317-reprocessing-reusable-equipment-and-devices

Action 3.17 - Reprocessing of reusable equipment and devices

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines procedures for reprocessing reusable medical equipment and devices to minimise infection risks. It covers processes for ensuring compliance with national and international standards, maintaining traceability, and managing reprocessing for novel infections. It also highlights the importance of proper storage, transport, and workforce training to support safe reprocessing. This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Action 3.17 - Reprocessing of reusable equipment and devices
/quality-standards/action-133-welcoming-environments

Action 1.33: Welcoming environments

Guidance

This resource provides guidance on creating welcoming environments in healthcare services, including aged care, to make sure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel safe, respected, and supported. It outlines strategies for cultural safety, collaboration with communities, and improving access to care through inclusive design, training, and environmental changes. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
1: The Individual, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Action 1.33: Welcoming environments
/quality-standards/trauma-informed-care-and-practice-organisational-toolkit

Trauma-informed Care and Practice Organisational Toolkit

Tool

This toolkit provides guidance for organisations on implementing trauma-informed care practices, aiming to improve safety, trust, and empowerment in care settings. It outlines strategies to adapt policies, environments, and staff approaches to better support people with trauma histories in various care environments.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Accountability and quality system, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
Trauma-informed Care and Practice Organisational Toolkit
/quality-standards/national-palliative-care-standards-all-health-professionals-and-aged-care-services

National Palliative Care Standards for All Health Professionals and Aged Care Services

Guidance

The National Palliative Care Standards provide guidance for all health professionals and aged care services to deliver high-quality generalist palliative care. They support improved experiences and outcomes for people receiving care, and are intended for use across diverse care settings. Resources like audit tools and fact sheets are available to aid self-assessment and adherence to these standards​.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Palliative and end of life care
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.7: Palliative care and end-of-life care
National Palliative Care Standards for All Health Professionals and Aged Care Services
/quality-standards/quality-and-safety-home-services-5-key-areas-risk

Quality and safety in home services – 5 key areas of risk

Guidance, Guides
Published date

This resource provides guidance for home service providers on managing key risks in aged care services. It identifies 5 critical areas: organisational governance, care planning and assessment, clinical care, support for vulnerable consumers, and management of Home Care Package funds

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Risk management system, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
2: The Organisation, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
2.4: Risk management, 4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home
Quality and safety in home services - 5 key areas of risk
/quality-standards/environmental-cleaning-and-infection-prevention-and-control-resources

Environmental cleaning and infection prevention and control resources

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource offers a range of environmental cleaning and infection prevention tools for healthcare settings, including guidelines for small organisations, cleaning audits, product selection, and emerging cleaning technologies. It supports aged care providers in maintaining clean, hygienic environments, helping them comply with infection control standards and ensure safety.​ 

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
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
Environmental cleaning and infection prevention and control resources
/quality-standards/what-were-doing-about-palliative-care

What we’re doing about palliative care

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines the Australian Government’s strategies, initiatives, and research for improving palliative care. It details the National Palliative Care Strategy, workforce training, and key programs such as at-home and aged care measures. It also highlights the National Framework for Advance Care Planning, ensuring access to quality palliative care across Australia. 

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
What we’re doing about palliative care
/quality-standards/different-languages-same-aged-care

Different languages, same aged care

Guidance

This resource provides information on a free translation service for government-subsidised aged care providers, enabling communication in languages other than English. It helps aged care providers reach diverse communities, including culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, First Nations people, and those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, supporting culturally inclusive 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
Person-centred care, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 3.3: Communicating for safety and quality, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  
Different languages, same aged care
/quality-standards/qi-program-quick-reference-guide-activities-daily-living

QI Program quick reference guide – Activities of daily living

Guidance
Last Updated

This quick reference guide provides residential aged care providers with instructions on collecting and reporting data for the Quality Indicator Program. It focuses on measuring the decline in activities of daily living (ADLs) using the Barthel Index, helping providers monitor care recipients' functional independence and implement appropriate support strategies. 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
Standard
7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
7.1: Daily living
QI Program quick reference guide – Activities of daily living
/quality-standards/qi-program-module-7-activities-daily-living

QI Program Module 7 – Activities of daily living

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource explains the importance of measuring activities of daily living (ADLs) for older people in residential aged care. It guides providers on using the Barthel Index to assess ADLs quarterly, helping identify risks of functional decline and implement strategies to maintain independence and improve 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
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 7.1: Daily living
QI Program Module 7 – Activities of daily living
/quality-standards/national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-flexible-aged-care-program

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program

Guidance
Published date
Last Updated

This resource provides information on the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program. The program funds flexible and culturally appropriate aged care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, mainly in rural and remote areas. It covers service provider requirements, funding processes, and adaptations to ongoing aged care reforms. 

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
Person-centred care, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Corporate and clinical governance, Care coordination and transitions
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 2: The Organisation, 1: The Individual, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 2.1: Partnering with individuals, 1.1: Person-centred care, 7.2: Transitions
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program
/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/cultural-respect-framework-2016-2026-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health

Cultural Respect Framework 2016-2026 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

Guidance
Published date

This resource outlines a national approach to building a culturally respectful health system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It focuses on 6 domains, including communication, workforce development, and data evaluation, to ensure culturally safe, accessible care. It is applicable to aged care, helping providers meet cultural safety standards and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Corporate and clinical governance, Accountability and quality system, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 2.2a: Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support aged care workers to deliver quality care, 2.2b: Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support individuals, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
Cultural Respect Framework 2016-2026 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
/quality-standards/national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health-plan-2021-2031

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031

Guidance
Published date

This resource outlines the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031, which focuses on improving health outcomes through culturally safe, prevention-focused care. It emphasises addressing cultural and social determinants of health across the life course. The plan supports self-determination, eliminating racism, and fostering partnerships with community-controlled health services to make sure equitable access to health and wellbeing services. 

Author
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031
/quality-standards/national-agreement-closing-gap

National Agreement on Closing the Gap

Guidance
Published date

This resource outlines the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, focusing on improving life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It includes key areas for joint national action, prioritising cultural safety and addressing inequalities. The agreement encourages collaboration with communities to monitor progress and ensure accountability.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
National Agreement on Closing the Gap
/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