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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 17 of 17 result(s)
/quality-standards/dementia-and-communication-resources

Dementia and communication - Resources

Guidance

This resource discusses how dementia impacts communication abilities, including memory and language challenges. It offers practical strategies for enhancing conversations and maintaining connections, emphasising the role of speech pathologists in supporting communication. The resource provides guidance for family, friends, and caregivers to create dementia-friendly environments.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 3.3: Communicating for safety and quality, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  
Dementia and communication - Resources
/quality-standards/how-talk-about-dementia

How to talk about dementia

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on using accurate, respectful, and non-stigmatising language when discussing dementia. It emphasises avoiding negative terms, promoting dignity, and listening to individuals' preferences. It includes suggestions for talking about dementia symptoms, behaviour, and the impacts of dementia on individuals and their families, promoting understanding and reducing discrimination.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
3.3: Communicating for safety and quality
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-b-abuse-older-people

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Abuse of older people

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on recognising, assessing, and managing abuse of older people in various settings, including residential aged care. It covers types of abuse (financial, emotional, physical, sexual, neglect), risk factors, barriers to disclosure, and steps for prevention. The document also includes recommendations for safety planning, intervention strategies, and resources for support across Australian states and territories.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Incident management system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.5: Incident management
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Abuse of older people
/quality-standards/benefits-effective-incident-management-video

Benefits of effective incident management video

Video
Published date

In this short video, we provide an overview of the benefits of effective incident management in residential aged care settings under the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS), which commenced on 1 April 2021.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Incident management system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.5: Incident management
Benefits of effective incident management video thumbnail
/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/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/free-aged-care-translation-service

Free aged care translation service

Brochure
Published date

This resource provides information on a free translation and interpreting service funded by the government for aged care providers. It supports effective communication with older people from diverse backgrounds, offering language translation, sign language, and captioning services to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in 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
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Corporate and clinical governance, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 2.1: Partnering with individuals, 3.3: Communicating for safety and quality
Free aged care translation service
/quality-standards/incident-management-systems

Incident Management Systems

Guidance

This resource explains Incident Management Systems (IMS) used in aged care to record, manage, and respond to incidents. It provides guidance on building a safety culture, recording and analysing incidents, and implementing steps to prevent reoccurrences, supporting continuous improvement in care delivery. 

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
Incident management system, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
2.5: Incident management, 3.3: Communicating for safety and quality
Incident Management Systems
/quality-standards/serious-incidents

Serious incidents

Guidance

This resource provides information on how aged care providers should respond to serious incidents, ensuring the safety, health, and wellbeing of people in care. It outlines mandatory reporting requirements for incidents such as abuse, neglect, or financial coercion under the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS), aiming to promote transparency and accountability 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
External resource
Key Theme
Incident management system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.5: Incident management
Serious incidents
/quality-standards/reportable-incidents

Reportable incidents

Guidance

This resource outlines reportable incidents within aged care, including Priority 1 and Priority 2 incidents. It provides information on the 8 types of incidents that must be reported, such as psychological abuse, neglect, and the inappropriate use of restrictive practices, helping providers meet their obligations. 

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
Incident management system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.5: Incident management
Reportable incidents
/quality-standards/monthly-care-statements-residential-aged-care

Monthly Care Statements for residential aged care

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides information about Monthly Care Statements, including why they are important, who can give them, and the benefits for residents and 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
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Key Theme
Agreements, fees, pricing, invoicing and statements
Standard
3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
3.3: Communicating for safety and quality
Monthly Care Statements for residential aged care
/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/tips-careworkers-culturally-responsive-care-communication

Tips for Careworkers: Culturally Responsive Care - Communication

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides practice tip sheets for care workers, focusing on culturally responsive care for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It outlines communication strategies, emphasising person-centred care, cultural sensitivity, and effective interaction with patients and families, especially at the end of life.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Choice, independence and quality of life, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Person-centred care
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 1: The Individual
Outcomes
1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 3.3: Communicating for safety and quality, 1.1: Person-centred care
Tips for Careworkers: Culturally Responsive Care - Communication
/quality-standards/tips-careworkers-first-australians-communication

Tips for Careworkers: First Australians – Communication

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource offers guidance on culturally appropriate communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in aged care. It highlights the importance of respecting cultural identity, involving family, and providing person-centred care. The resource provides practical tips for careworkers to ensure culturally sensitive and respectful communication.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Choice, independence and quality of life, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Person-centred care
Standard
1: The Individual, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 3.3: Communicating for safety and quality, 1.1: Person-centred care
Tips for Careworkers: First Australians – Communication
/quality-standards/risk-awareness-and-incident-response-introduction-aged-care-video

Risk awareness and incident response – Introduction to aged care video

Video
Published date

This resource provides a training video for aged care staff on risk awareness and incident response. It demonstrates how to identify potential risks and manage escalating situations effectively in an aged care setting. The video offers practical guidance on maintaining safety for both staff and people in care during incidents, emphasising the importance of calm communication and post-incident reflection. 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
Incident management system
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.5: Incident management
Risk awareness and incident response – Introduction to aged care video
/quality-standards/residential-aged-care-supporting-residential-aged-care-residents-and-their-healthcare-teams

Residential aged care - Supporting residential aged care residents and their healthcare teams

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides information on digital health tools available for residential aged care providers. It covers how these tools, including My Health Record, support care coordination, improve health outcomes, and enable secure information sharing between healthcare providers to enhance the quality of aged care services.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Corporate and clinical governance, Information management system, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Care coordination and transitions, Workforce and human resources management
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.1: Clinical governance, 2.7: Information management, 3.3: Communicating for safety and quality
Residential aged care - Supporting residential aged care residents and their healthcare teams