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.
Maintaining personal identity
This resource offers guidance on maintaining personal identity for people with dementia by fostering respect, independence, and communication. It suggests environmental and social modifications to enhance dignity, such as personalising spaces, supporting mobility, and addressing unmet needs.
This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation, and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.
Communication Matters
This You Tube video emphasises the importance of communication for people in aged care, especially those with impairments. It advocates using varied methods, such as gestures and expressions, to make sure everyone can connect meaningfully, supporting dignity and autonomy.
Ageing and Communication
This resource discusses age-related communication changes, covering sensory, speech, language, and cognitive adjustments. It offers strategies for improving communication, such as using hearing aids, choosing quiet settings, and involving speech pathologists, helping older people and their families maintain effective and enjoyable communication.
Supported decision-making
This resource explains supported decision-making, a process that helps people retain control over choices in their lives, even with cognitive challenges. It outlines how aged care providers can support people’s decisions, providing information in accessible formats and respecting autonomy, as endorsed by national and international rights frameworks.
Dignity of Risk
This resource provides guidance on the concept of dignity of risk. It includes information about how to reframe thinking and ways you can support dignity of risk. The resource highlights the importance of choice and independence, and supporting someone to do what they want safely.
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.
Older Persons Advocacy Network
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.
COTA - Council on the Ageing
This resource provides information on the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia's work, including advocacy, policy priorities, and resources for older adults. It highlights key areas such as dental care affordability, aged care reform, and independence for seniors. The site offers publications, submissions to inquiries, and the Aged Care Visitors Code, relevant for aged care providers and consumers.
Seeking support from an advocate
This resource describes the advocacy support available for people receiving government-funded aged care, provided through the National Aged Care Advocacy Program. It outlines the role of advocates in assisting with understanding services, managing rights, addressing concerns, and learning self-advocacy skills, supporting respectful and fair treatment in aged care.
Common barriers
This resource outlines common barriers faced by diverse groups in accessing aged care services, including communication challenges, social isolation, experiences of trauma, grief and loss, and social exclusion. It provides guidance on addressing these issues to make sure equitable access to services for all older people.
Goal setting
This resource discusses the role of goal setting in enhancing rehabilitation, reablement, and restorative care for older people. It highlights the value of involving older people in defining goals and the positive impact of goal setting on engagement, daily function, and quality of life.