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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 18 of 18 result(s)
/quality-standards/trauma-informed-care-and-practice-organisational-toolkit

Trauma-informed Care and Practice Organisational Toolkit

Tool

This toolkit provides guidance for organisations on implementing trauma-informed care practices, aiming to improve safety, trust, and empowerment in care settings. It outlines strategies to adapt policies, environments, and staff approaches to better support people with trauma histories in various care environments.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Accountability and quality system, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
Trauma-informed Care and Practice Organisational Toolkit
/quality-standards/quality-and-safety-home-services-5-key-areas-risk

Quality and safety in home services – 5 key areas of risk

Guidance, Guides
Published date

This resource provides guidance for home service providers on managing key risks in aged care services. It identifies 5 critical areas: organisational governance, care planning and assessment, clinical care, support for vulnerable consumers, and management of Home Care Package funds

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Risk management system, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
2: The Organisation, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
2.4: Risk management, 4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home
Quality and safety in home services - 5 key areas of risk
/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/comprehensive-care-review-and-improve-comprehensive-care-delivery-key-actions-health-service-organisations

Comprehensive Care - Review and improve comprehensive care delivery - Key actions for health service organisations

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource outlines actions for health service organisations to review and improve comprehensive care delivery, focusing on aligning care with patients' needs and care plans. It emphasises regular assessment, multidisciplinary collaboration, and quality improvement to maintain responsive, person-centred care across services. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Corporate and clinical governance, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Assessment and planning
Standard
2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
2.2a: Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support aged care workers to deliver quality care, 2.2b: Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support individuals, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 5.4: Comprehensive care
Comprehensive Care - Review and improve comprehensive care delivery - Key actions for health service organisations
/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/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/vaccination-people-occupational-risk

Vaccination for people at occupational risk

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides vaccination guidelines for people in occupations with increased risk of exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases. It outlines recommended vaccinations for healthcare workers, carers, emergency services, and others in high-risk environments. The document supports the development of vaccination policies and programs to protect workers and the people they serve. 

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
Infection prevention and control, Workforce and human resources management
Standard
4: The Environment, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
4.2: Infection prevention and control, 2.9: Human resource management
Vaccination for people at occupational risk
/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/respecting-privacy-and-dignity-clients

Respecting the privacy and dignity of clients

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance about respecting the privacy and dignity of clients. It includes information about personal privacy, the Privacy Act, what classifies as health information, consent and privacy of information. It also includes information about person-centred care and client dignity. 

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
Dignity, respect and privacy, Information management system, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
1.2: Dignity, respect and privacy, 2.7: Information management, 7.1: Daily living
Respecting the privacy and dignity of clients
/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/national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-flexible-aged-care-program

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program

Guidance
Published date
Last Updated

This resource provides information on the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program. The program funds flexible and culturally appropriate aged care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, mainly in rural and remote areas. It covers service provider requirements, funding processes, and adaptations to ongoing aged care reforms. 

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, Corporate and clinical governance, Care coordination and transitions
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 2: The Organisation, 1: The Individual, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services, 2.1: Partnering with individuals, 1.1: Person-centred care, 7.2: Transitions
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program
/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/allied-health-regulation

Allied health regulation

Guidance

This resource provides information about the regulation of allied health professions in Australia. It includes those registered under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) and self-regulating professions managed by professional peak bodies. It also provides links to further information about allied health professions currently registered with AHPRA and information for overseas-qualified practitioners.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Assessment and planning, Care coordination and transitions
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 2: The Organisation
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care, 2.8: Workforce planning, 2.9: Human resource management
Allied health regulation
/quality-standards/cultural-respect-framework-2016-2026-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health

Cultural Respect Framework 2016-2026 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

Guidance
Published date

This resource outlines a national approach to building a culturally respectful health system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It focuses on 6 domains, including communication, workforce development, and data evaluation, to ensure culturally safe, accessible care. It is applicable to aged care, helping providers meet cultural safety standards and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Person-centred care, Corporate and clinical governance, Accountability and quality system, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 2.2a: Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support aged care workers to deliver quality care, 2.2b: Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support individuals, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
Cultural Respect Framework 2016-2026 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
/quality-standards/racgp-aged-care-clinical-guide-silver-book-part-b-older-people-rural-and-remote-communities

RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Older people in rural and remote communities

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide discusses providing aged care in rural and remote communities, focusing on the unique needs of older residents, the role of GPs in care coordination, and overcoming challenges like limited services and workforce shortages. It covers building telehealth connections, establishing collaborative care models, and offers a checklist for newly arrived GPs to support quality care for older adults.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Care coordination and transitions, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Workforce and human resources management
Standard
4: The Environment, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
5.4: Comprehensive care, 2.8: Workforce planning, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Older people in rural and remote communities
/quality-standards/first-nations-youtube-videos

First Nations - YouTube videos

Video
Published date

This resource includes a series of YouTube videos developed by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Australian First Nations older people discuss good quality, culturally appropriate and safe aged care, including person-centred care, rights and how to speak up about 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
Person-centred care, Dignity, respect and privacy, Feedback and complaints management system, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 2: The Organisation, 3: The Care and Services
Outcomes
1.1: Person-centred care, 1.2: Dignity, respect and privacy, 2.6b: Complaints and feedback management for individuals, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
First Nations - YouTube videos
/quality-standards/flu-and-covid-19-vaccination-program

Flu and COVID-19 vaccination program

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines the flu and COVID-19 vaccination program for residential aged care providers. It includes information about what services must do to take precautions to prevent and control the flu and COVID-19 and minimise infection-related risks. 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
Infection prevention and control, Workforce and human resources management
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 2: The Organisation, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services, 2.9: Human resource management, 4.2: Infection prevention and control
Flu and COVID-19 vaccination program
/quality-standards/first-nations-stakeholder-communications-toolkit

First Nations - Stakeholder Communications Toolkit

Guidance, Tool
Published date
Last Updated

This Toolkit is designed for First Nations stakeholders including providers, workers and others involved in providing aged care services for First Nations people. We’ve developed it to make it easy for you to share relevant resources with your networks and members

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
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, 3.2: Delivery of funded aged care services
First Nations Resources – Communications Toolkit