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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 31 result(s)
/quality-standards/work-related-psychological-health-and-safety-systematic-approach-meeting-your-duties

Work-related psychological health and safety: A systematic approach to meeting your duties

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide offers a systematic approach to managing work-related psychological health and safety, particularly under work health and safety (WHS) and workers’ compensation laws. It provides businesses with a structured methodology for preventing psychological harm, intervening early when signs of stress appear, and supporting workers' recovery and return to work. Though the guide is an archived document, it can still offer useful background on managing psychosocial hazards but does not reflect recent changes in regulations.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning
Work-related psychological health and safety: A systematic approach to meeting your duties
/quality-standards/mental-health-tips-aged-care-workers-and-managers

Mental health tips for aged care workers and managers

Guidance

This resource provides mental health tips for aged care workers and managers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and overall mental wellbeing. The resource offers evidence-based advice on recognising when extra support is needed and how to maintain mental health, helping aged care staff navigate challenging times effectively.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning
Mental health tips for aged care workers and managers
/quality-standards/dining-residential-aged-care-tips-and-tricks-fact-sheet

Dining in residential aged care - tips and tricks fact sheet

Fact sheet
Published date

This fact sheet provides practical tips for enhancing dining experiences in residential aged care settings. It offers guidance on food presentation, meal assistance, creating a respectful and enjoyable atmosphere, supporting independence, and providing culturally appropriate dining options. The aim is to improve mealtime satisfaction while maintaining older peoples' dignity and people's preferences. 

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
Food and nutrition
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks
Image of Dining in residential aged care - tips and tricks fact sheet
/quality-standards/workforce-responsibilities

Workforce responsibilities

Guidance

This resource outlines the workforce responsibilities of aged care providers, including the legal obligation to provide skilled staff and support their workforce. It details mandatory requirements such as 24/7 registered nurse coverage and care minutes for residential aged care 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
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning, 2.9: Human resource management
Workforce responsibilities
/quality-standards/workforce-planning-aged-care

Workforce planning in aged care

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance about workforce planning in aged care. It includes information about workforce composition, current requirements and why it's important. It highlights the importance of the care experience, including continuity 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
External resource
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning
Workforce planning in aged care
/quality-standards/residential-aged-care-food-services-discussion-paper

Residential aged care food services discussion paper

Discussion paper
Published date

This paper presents a high-level overview of contemporary evidence regarding food services in residential aged care settings.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Food and nutrition
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 6.3: Provision of food and drinks, 6.4: Dining experience
Cover page - Residential aged care food services discussion paper with two women at a table enjoying a meal
/quality-standards/making-sure-your-workers-can-work-aged-care

Making sure your workers can work in aged care

Fact sheet
Published date

You need to have governance systems and processes to make sure your aged care workers can work in aged care.

This fact sheet explains a provider’s responsibilities for:

  • screening workers
  • preventing breaches to banning orders.

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
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning, 2.9: Human resource management
Making sure your workers can work in aged care
/quality-standards/celebrating-successes-engaging-people-improve-food-nutrition-and-dining

Celebrating successes in engaging people to improve food, nutrition and dining

Guidance

This resource highlights successful practices in engaging older people to improve food, nutrition, and dining experiences. Providers can use examples like food focus groups, family involvement in recipe changes, and resident-led dining committees to promote enjoyable, dignified, and inclusive dining. It fosters better health, wellbeing, and relationships with staff. 

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, Food and nutrition
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 7.1: Daily living
Celebrating successes in engaging people to improve food, nutrition and dining
/quality-standards/cultural-considerations-food-nutrition-and-dining

Cultural considerations in Food, Nutrition and Dining

Guidance

This resource provides guidance on incorporating cultural considerations into food, nutrition, and dining in aged care settings. It highlights the importance of understanding diverse dietary preferences, religious practices, and family dynamics to support person-centred care, improve wellbeing, and promote inclusivity within the aged care environment. 

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
Food and nutrition, Person-centred care, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition, 1: The Individual, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 1.1: Person-centred care, 7.1: Daily living
Cultural considerations in Food, Nutrition and Dining
/quality-standards/food-thought-positive-stories

Food for thought - positive stories

Guidance

This resource shares positive stories about food, nutrition, and dining improvements in aged care facilities. It highlights initiatives that enhance the dining experience, including resident involvement in meal planning, use of fresh and seasonal ingredients, and creating more social and enjoyable mealtime environments. These stories demonstrate best practices and innovative approaches to improve resident satisfaction and wellbeing. 

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Food and nutrition
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 6.3: Provision of food and drinks, 6.4: Dining experience
Food for thought - positive stories
/quality-standards/food-nutrition-dining-resources-providers

Food, nutrition & dining: resources for providers

Guidance

This resource provides tools and guidance for aged care providers to ensure quality food, nutrition, and dining experiences. It includes hotlines, resources for dining, choice, swallowing, and oral health, as well as webinars, research findings, and practical tips to support older adults' wellbeing and meet care 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
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Clinical safety, Food and nutrition, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 6.3: Provision of food and drinks, 6.4: Dining experience, 7.1: Daily living
Food, nutrition & dining: resources for providers
/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
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning
Health workforce
/quality-standards/national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health-workforce-strategic-framework-and-implementation-plan-2021-2031

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan 2021–2031

Guidance
Published date

This resource is separated into 2 parts: the vision, objectives and target; and the strategic framework and implementation plan. This plan has 6 overarching strategic directions. These directions support the ongoing development of the size, capability and capacity of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce. 

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
2.8: Workforce planning
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan 2021–2031
/quality-standards/national-allied-health-workforce-strategy

National Allied Health Workforce Strategy

Guidance
Last Updated

The National Allied Health Workforce Strategy outlines a plan to address workforce challenges, including the shortage of allied health professionals in Australia. It focuses on aligning the supply of professionals with current and future needs, ensuring workforce safety and quality, and enhancing sector-specific data collection. The strategy aims to support workforce planning and development.

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
2.8: Workforce planning
National Allied Health Workforce Strategy
/quality-standards/our-work-related-rural-health-workforce

Our work related to the rural health workforce

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides an overview of various initiatives and programs supporting the rural health workforce in Australia. It includes training programs, scholarships, and recruitment schemes aimed at addressing workforce shortages in rural and remote areas. The resource outlines efforts to improve healthcare access and quality through targeted support for medical and nursing professionals. 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
2.8: Workforce planning
Our work related to the rural health workforce
/quality-standards/national-medical-workforce-strategy-2021-2031

National Medical Workforce Strategy 2021–2031

Guidance
Published date

This resource outlines the National Medical Workforce Strategy 2021–2031, developed to guide long-term medical planning across Australia. It provides a structured approach to creating a sustainable, well-trained medical workforce. The strategy includes 25 actions under 5 priority areas: collaboration, rebalancing supply, reforming training, building generalist capabilities, and ensuring workforce flexibility. 

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
2.8: Workforce planning
National Medical Workforce Strategy 2021–2031
/quality-standards/national-nursing-workforce-strategy

National Nursing Workforce Strategy

Guidance
Last Updated

The resource provides information on the National Nursing Workforce Strategy, which outlines long-term plans for workforce sustainability, diversity, and development. It supports collaboration among stakeholders, promotes evidence-based care, and addresses challenges in regional and remote areas to ensure quality nursing care across the healthcare system. 

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
2.8: Workforce planning
National Nursing Workforce Strategy
/quality-standards/food-and-dining-your-choices-matter

Food and dining - your choices matter

Fact sheet
Published date
Last Updated

This fact sheet informs aged care residents of their rights to safe, enjoyable, and respectful dining experiences. It outlines steps for raising concerns with providers about food and dining, offers a preference form for residents to communicate their dietary needs, and provides contact information for support services if issues remain unresolved. 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
Food and nutrition, Choice, independence and quality of life, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Feedback and complaints management system
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life, 2.6a: Complaints and feedback management for aged care workers, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals, 6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 7.1: Daily living
First page of the Food and dining – your choices matter fact sheet
/quality-standards/governing-reform-aged-care-program

Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program

Guidance

This resource outlines the Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program, designed to strengthen corporate and clinical governance capabilities for aged care leaders. It provides tools, online learning modules, webinars, and podcasts to support governance improvement and help leaders engage in reform efforts. 

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
Corporate and clinical governance, Accountability and quality system, Risk management system, Incident management system, Feedback and complaints management system, Information management system, Workforce and human resources management, Emergency and disaster management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.1: Partnering with individuals, 2.2a: Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support aged care workers to deliver quality care, 2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures, 2.4: Risk management, 2.5: Incident management, 2.6a: Complaints and feedback management for aged care workers, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals, 2.7: Information management, 2.8: Workforce planning, 2.9: Human resource management, 2.10: Emergency and disaster management
Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program
/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