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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 26 result(s)
/quality-standards/my-5-moments-hand-hygiene-focus-caring-patient-urinary-catheter

My 5 moments for hand hygiene: focus on caring for a patient with a urinary catheter

Poster
Published date

This resource outlines the ‘5 Moments for Hand Hygiene’ with specific considerations for patients with urinary catheters, aiming to minimise infection risks. It provides steps for appropriate hand hygiene before and after touching the patient, performing aseptic procedures, and handling catheter equipment.

This resource was developed internationally and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
My 5 moments for hand hygiene: focus on caring for a patient with a urinary catheter
/quality-standards/global-strategy-infection-prevention-and-control

Global strategy on infection prevention and control

Guidance

This resource provides a global framework for infection prevention and control (IPC) in healthcare settings, aiming to reduce healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance. It offers strategic directions for achieving measurable improvements by 2030, supporting patient safety, healthcare worker protection, and sustainable health outcomes worldwide.

This resource was developed internationally and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Global strategy on infection prevention and control
/quality-standards/infection-control-guidelines

Infection Control Guidelines

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides infection control guidelines for managing infectious diseases in care settings, covering protocols for exposure to blood and body fluids, managing respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, and handling high-risk infections. It includes standard precautions, waste disposal, and cleaning procedures to maintain safety and reduce transmission.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Infection Control Guidelines
/quality-standards/my-healthy-home-home-health-factsheet-series

My healthy home: home health factsheet series

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource offers accessible health information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on preventing illness in the home. It includes room-based fact sheets with actions to improve environmental health, available as individual sheets or a workbook. This resource includes state-specific information and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment, Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home, 4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
My healthy home: home health factsheet series
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-b-medical-records-residential-aged-care-facilities

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Medical records at residential aged care facilities

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide covers managing medical records in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). It describes different practitioner models (solo, practice-based, aged care-specific) and provides standards for record-keeping, sharing notes, and maintaining clinical governance. The guide suggests methods for transferring medical information to RACF staff, including printing, electronic sharing, and handover notes.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Information management system, Corporate and clinical governance
Standard
2: The Organisation, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
2.7: Information management, 5.1: Clinical governance
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Medical records at residential aged care facilities
/quality-standards/covid-19-resource-kit

COVID-19 resource kit

Fact sheet, Guidance
Last Updated

This resource kit provides downloadable tools for businesses, including aged care, to manage COVID-19 risks. It includes checklists, posters, and infographics covering hygiene, physical distancing, cleaning, and response actions if a worker contracts COVID-19. These materials help workplaces implement safe practices and reduce the spread of the virus.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
COVID-19 resource kit
/quality-standards/conformant-clinical-software-products

Conformant clinical software products

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides a register of conformant clinical software products that meet national digital health requirements, enabling functions like My Health Record access, health summary uploads, and prescription management. Organisations using the register should verify entries’ currency and accuracy as updates depend on software developers.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Information management system, Corporate and clinical governance
Standard
2: The Organisation, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
2.7: Information management, 5.1: Clinical governance
Conformant clinical software products
/quality-standards/healthcare-provider-directory-hpd

Healthcare Provider Directory (HPD)

Tool
Last Updated

This resource explains the Healthcare Provider Directory (HPD), a service listing registered health care providers and organisations in the Healthcare Identifiers (HI) Service. It enables health professionals to access contact and specialty information for secure messaging, referrals, and discharge summaries.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Corporate and clinical governance, Information management system, Workforce and human resources management, Care coordination and transitions
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.1: Clinical governance
Healthcare Provider Directory (HPD)
/quality-standards/covid-19-information-workplaces-aged-care

COVID-19 Information for workplaces - Aged care

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides work health and safety (WHS) guidance for the aged care industry during COVID-19. It includes information on employer responsibilities, safe workplace practices, and compliance with public health directions. It supports aged care providers in managing COVID-19 risks across various settings, including residential, respite, and in-home care services.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
COVID-19 Information for workplaces - Aged care
/quality-standards/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource explains respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common and highly contagious virus that affects the airways and lungs. It outlines symptoms, prevention, and potential complications, especially for young children and older adults. It also provides information on diagnosis, treatment, and recently approved vaccines for at-risk groups.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
/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/how-clean-and-disinfect-your-workplace-covid-19

How to clean and disinfect your workplace - COVID-19

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides detailed guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting workplaces, including aged care settings, to minimise the spread of COVID-19. It outlines cleaning procedures for different surfaces and items, the proper use of disinfectants, and disposal of materials. It supports workplace hygiene by ensuring routine and post-exposure cleaning protocols.

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
How to clean and disinfect your workplace - COVID-19
/quality-standards/national-antimicrobial-prescribing-survey-naps

National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (NAPS)

Tool

This survey resource provides a framework for assessing antimicrobial prescribing practices in aged care and other health settings. It supports health facilities in evaluating the appropriateness of antimicrobial use through audit tools and data collection, contributing to antimicrobial stewardship and improved patient care quality.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (NAPS)
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-home

Infection Prevention in the Home

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on infection prevention in home care settings, highlighting challenges such as the unpredictability of home environments and lack of basic hygiene resources. It explains how to apply standard and transmission-based precautions, manage infection hazards, and involve clients in maintaining infection control practices to 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
External resource
Key Theme
Environment, Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home, 4.2: Infection prevention and control
Infection Prevention in the Home
/quality-standards/laundry-and-infection-control-residential-aged-care

Laundry and Infection Control in Residential Aged Care

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on proper laundry procedures in residential aged care to support infection control. It explains how to handle soiled linen, manage laundry services, and prevent contamination. The resource aligns with infection control standards, helping aged care providers meet hygiene requirements and reduce the risk of pathogen transmission. 

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
Infection prevention and control
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services
Laundry and Infection Control in Residential Aged Care
/quality-standards/knowledge-and-implementation-hub-clinical-governance

Knowledge and Implementation Hub - Clinical governance

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource discusses clinical governance in aged care, highlighting its importance in delivering safe, high-quality care. It includes evidence-based resources, themes on governance like leadership, culture, consumer partnerships, and workforce strategies, and provides access to research projects, reviews, and practical guidance to support care quality improvements.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Care coordination and transitions, Corporate and clinical governance, Information management system, Workforce and human resources management
Standard
5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.1: Clinical governance
Knowledge and Implementation Hub - Clinical governance
/quality-standards/digital-health-healthcare-providers

Digital health - For healthcare providers

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance for aged care assessors and service providers on accessing and using the My Aged Care portals. It outlines steps for setting up secure access through authentication methods, managing organisation information, and creating staff accounts, supporting efficient service delivery and assessment processes. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 July 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Information management system, Care coordination and transitions, Workforce and human resources management, Corporate and clinical governance
Standard
2: The Organisation, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
2.7: Information management, 5.1: Clinical governance
Digital health - For healthcare providers
/quality-standards/nursing-and-midwifery-board-professional-standards

Nursing and Midwifery Board - Professional standards

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines the professional standards required for nurses and midwives to practise in Australia, including codes of conduct, standards for practice, and codes of ethics. It provides access to various documents, fact sheets, and guidelines that define the expected practice and behaviour for different nursing roles.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Corporate and clinical governance, Workforce and human resources management
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
5.1: Clinical governance, 2.9: Human resource management
Nursing and Midwifery Board - Professional standards
/quality-standards/security-and-access-policies-rule-42-guidance

Security and access policies - Rule 42 guidance

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides guidance for healthcare provider organisations to meet Rule 42 of the My Health Records Rule 2016. It covers creating, communicating, and enforcing a written Security and Access policy to access the My Health Record system, addressing authorisation, training, security measures, and risk mitigation.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management, Information management system, Corporate and clinical governance
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
5.1: Clinical governance, 2.7: Information management
Security and access policies - Rule 42 guidance
/quality-standards/national-clinical-terminology-service

National Clinical Terminology Service

Guidance

This resource provides information for healthcare providers on digital health tools and initiatives. It covers services such as My Health Record, secure messaging, electronic prescriptions, and telehealth. It supports providers in using digital technologies to enhance healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Care coordination and transitions, Information management system, Corporate and clinical governance
Standard
2: The Organisation, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
2.7: Information management, 5.1: Clinical governance
This resource provides information for healthcare providers on digital health tools and initiatives. It covers services such as My Health Record, secure messaging, electronic prescriptions, and telehealth. It supports providers in using digital technologies to enhance healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes.