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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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/emergency-plans-and-procedures

Emergency plans and procedures

Guidance

This resource outlines the requirement for all workplaces, including aged care facilities, to have an emergency plan under the model WHS laws. The plan must inform workers and visitors about what to do in emergencies, be easily accessible, and be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure effectiveness.

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
Emergency plans and procedures
/quality-standards/care-coordination

Care Coordination

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource offers practical guidance on effective care coordination, focusing on communication within multidisciplinary teams, continuity of care, and transition management. It provides tools for involving families in care planning and supports strategies for optimising palliative care and improving outcomes for people in aged care settings.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Care coordination and transitions
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
3.4: Planning and coordination of funded aged care services, 7.2: Transitions
Care Coordination
/quality-standards/emergency-resilience-culturally-and-linguistically-diverse-communities

Emergency Resilience in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides insight into the resilience of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in the face of emergencies and disasters. It explores key challenges and opportunities for enhancing resilience, such as the impact of migration, social capital, and communication barriers. It aims to equip stakeholders with actionable strategies to support resilience within these communities during crises.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Emergency and disaster management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management
Emergency Resilience in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-b-families-and-carers

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Families and carers

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide focuses on the role of families and carers in supporting older adults, covering topics like consent, communication, self-care, and bereavement support. It includes practical advice on involving carers in healthcare planning, respecting patient confidentiality, and resources for additional support, ensuring comprehensive care for both patients and carers.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Care coordination and transitions
Standard
3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
3.4: Planning and coordination of funded aged care services
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Families and carers
/quality-standards/are-you-alert-and-ready-safeguarding-against-infectious-illness-aged-care-settings

Are you alert and ready? Safeguarding against infectious illness in aged care settings

Fact sheet
Published date

Older Australians, particularly those that reside in residential aged care settings or in multigenerational households, are vulnerable to the ongoing risk of contracting and becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 and other highly infectious illnesses such as influenza and gastroenteritis.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Emergency and disaster management, Infection prevention and control
Standard
2: The Organisation, 4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management, 4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
are you alert and ready thumbnail
/quality-standards/fact-sheet-principles-safe-and-high-quality-transitions-care

Fact sheet - Principles of safe and high-quality transitions of care

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource outlines the principles for safe and high-quality transitions of care, emphasising person-centred care, multidisciplinary collaboration, and effective communication. It highlights the need for secure documentation, continuity of care, and coordination among healthcare teams to make sure smooth transitions and minimise risks during transfers between care providers. 

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
Care coordination and transitions
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
3.4: Planning and coordination of funded aged care services, 7.2: Transitions
Fact sheet - Principles of safe and high-quality transitions of care
/quality-standards/caring-older-people-heatwaves-home-care-and-chsp

Caring for older people in heatwaves – Home Care and CHSP

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides a checklist for home care and Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) providers to help them prepare for and manage the care of older people during heatwaves. It outlines steps to take before, during, and after heatwaves, ensuring the health and safety of those under their 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
Emergency and disaster management, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
2: The Organisation, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management, 4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home
Caring for older people in heatwaves – Home Care and CHSP
/quality-standards/communication-clinical-handover

Communication at clinical handover

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource focuses on structured clinical handover processes to improve communication during patient care transitions. It highlights the importance of standardising handover procedures to make sure relevant information is effectively communicated, reducing errors and enhancing patient safety, especially during care transfers in healthcare settings, including aged 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
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Care coordination and transitions, Assessment and planning
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
3.3: Communicating for safety and quality, 3.4: Planning and coordination of funded aged care services, 5.4: Comprehensive care, 7.2: Transitions
Communication at clinical handover
/quality-standards/communicating-safety

Communicating for Safety

Guidance

This resource provides tools and guidance on improving clinical communication to enhance patient safety. It focuses on key communication touchpoints, such as handovers, decision-making, and care transitions. Designed to support healthcare providers, it offers practical strategies to reduce errors and improve outcomes in aged care and other healthcare 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
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Care coordination and transitions, Assessment and planning
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
3.3: Communicating for safety and quality, 3.4: Planning and coordination of funded aged care services, 5.4: Comprehensive care, 7.2: Transitions
Communicating for Safety
/quality-standards/fire-security-and-workplace-emergencies

Fire, Security and Workplace Emergencies

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on workplace emergencies. It includes information about what to do if there's an emergency at your workplace, types of emergencies, evacuation procedures and more. It highlights the importance of being aware of people's needs in an emergency situation and considering vulnerable people when developing an evacuation plan.

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
Emergency and disaster management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management
Fire, Security and Workplace Emergencies
/quality-standards/health-support-aged-care-flood-affected-regions

Health support for aged care in flood-affected regions

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource outlines support available for aged care providers in flood-affected regions. It includes guidance on emergency management, workforce arrangements, access to medical supplies, and disaster relief funding. The document also provides state-specific emergency contacts and resources to help maintain service continuity during and after floods. 

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
Emergency and disaster management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management
Health support for aged care in flood-affected regions
/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
Key Theme
Emergency and disaster management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management
Summer clinical alert: Caring for older people in hot weather
/quality-standards/keeping-residents-safe-summer

Keeping residents safe this summer

Guidance

This resource offers guidance to aged care providers on keeping older people safe during summer. It includes strategies for managing heat exposure, hydration, and sun protection. It helps providers monitor vulnerable people, recognise signs of overheating, and implement preventative measures to ensure safety during hot weather​. 

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
Emergency and disaster management, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
2: The Organisation, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management, 4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home, 4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Keeping residents safe this summer
/quality-standards/principles-safe-and-high-quality-transitions-care

Principles for safe and high-quality transitions of care

Guidance
Published date

This resource outlines essential principles to support safe and high-quality transitions of care for people across healthcare settings, including aged care. It emphasises person-centred approaches, multidisciplinary collaboration, secure record systems, and continuity of care, aiming to minimise risks during care transitions for vulnerable populations. 

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
Care coordination and transitions
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
3.4: Planning and coordination of funded aged care services, 7.2: Transitions
Principles for safe and high-quality transitions of care
/quality-standards/poster-principles-safe-and-high-quality-transitions-care

Poster - Principles of safe and high-quality transitions of care

Poster
Published date

This resource outlines the principles of safe and high-quality transitions of care. It highlights the importance of person-centred care, multidisciplinary collaboration, and clear communication between providers. It ensures coordination, accountability, and secure documentation to support continuity of care when transferring people between 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
Key Theme
Care coordination and transitions
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
3.4: Planning and coordination of funded aged care services, 7.2: Transitions
Poster - Principles of safe and high-quality transitions of care
/quality-standards/national-health-and-climate-strategy-resources-collection

National Health and Climate Strategy – Resources collection

Guidance
Published date

This is a collection of resources related to the National Health and Climate Strategy. The collection includes the strategy, implementation plan 2024-2028, stakeholder engagement report, governance information and publications. 

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
Emergency and disaster management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management
National Health and Climate Strategy – Resources collection
/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/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/centre-cultural-diversity-ageing-resources

Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing - Resources

Guidance

This page offers a wide range of resources aimed at helping aged care providers deliver culturally inclusive services. It includes multilingual communication cards, cultural care plans, and practice guides that help address the cultural, linguistic, and spiritual needs of people in care. The resources make sure aged care services are accessible, safe, and appropriate for culturally and linguistically diverse populations​.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Corporate and clinical governance, Care coordination and transitions, Food and nutrition
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services, 6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 2.1: Partnering with individuals, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 3.4: Planning and coordination of funded aged care services, 6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences
Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing - Resources
/quality-standards/draft-national-consumer-engagement-strategy-health-and-wellbeing

Draft National Consumer Engagement Strategy for Health and Wellbeing

Guidance
Published date

This resource presents the Draft National Consumer Engagement Strategy for Health and Wellbeing, which aims to foster partnerships between health policymakers and communities. It is designed to involve people and communities in the development and implementation of preventive health policies. The strategy supports policymakers and program developers in engaging effectively with consumers to achieve improved health outcomes across Australia. 

Author
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Corporate and clinical governance, Assessment and planning, Care coordination and transitions
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 2.1: Partnering with individuals, 3.1 Assessment and planning, 3.4: Planning and coordination of funded aged care services
Draft National Consumer Engagement Strategy for Health and Wellbeing