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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 25 result(s)
/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/nsqhs-standards-implementation-guide-action-311-aseptic-technique

NSQHS Standards Implementation guide for Action 3.11 Aseptic Technique

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource is an implementation guide designed to help health service organisations meet the requirements of Action 3.11 on aseptic technique under the NSQHS Standards. It outlines how to identify procedures requiring aseptic technique, assess workforce competence, provide relevant training, and monitor compliance. It aims to reduce healthcare-associated infections, ensuring safer care delivery, particularly relevant to aged care providers.This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care.

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
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
NSQHS Standards Implementation guide for Action 3.11 Aseptic Technique
/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/translated-resources-sexually-transmissible-infections

Translated resources on sexually transmissible infections

Fact sheet, Video
Last Updated

This resource provides translated videos, fact sheets, and posters from the Beforeplay campaign to educate multicultural communities about sexually transmissible infections (STIs). It promotes STI testing, safe sex practices, and includes materials in multiple languages to improve accessibility and encourage conversations around sexual health.

Author
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
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
Translated resources on sexually transmissible infections
/quality-standards/resources-sexually-transmissible-infections

Resources on sexually transmissible infections

Fact sheet, Video
Last Updated

This resource offers materials from the Beforeplay campaign to raise awareness about sexually transmissible infections (STIs). It provides videos, fact sheets, and posters aimed at educating people on STI prevention, testing, and protection, with tailored resources for various groups including young people, couples, and healthcare professionals. 

Author
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
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
Resources on sexually transmissible infections
/quality-standards/national-hand-hygiene-initiative-nhhi

National Hand Hygiene Initiative – NHHI

Tool
Last Updated

This resource provides an overview of the National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI), aimed at preventing infections in healthcare settings through effective hand hygiene practices. It offers tools, training, and data for hand hygiene compliance, supporting healthcare providers in reducing contamination risks and improving patient safety. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
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 Hand Hygiene Initiative – NHHI
/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/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/aura-2023-highlights-aged-care

AURA 2023 Highlights for Aged care

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource summarises key findings from the AURA 2023 report, focusing on antimicrobial use and resistance in aged care. It provides priorities for action to reduce inappropriate prescriptions, promote antimicrobial stewardship, and improve infection prevention and control in aged care settings, aligning with quality standards to enhance care for older people. 

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
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
AURA 2023 Highlights for Aged care
/quality-standards/aged-care-infection-prevention-and-control-training-tool

Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Training Tool

Tool
Published date

This resource is a training tool designed to help develop and record infection prevention and control training sessions in aged care. It includes templates for learning objectives, content development, and assessment methods, ensuring effective delivery of key infection control practices using structured guidance and eLearning resources. 

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
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
Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Training Tool
/quality-standards/covid-19-resources-health-professionals-including-aged-care-providers-pathology-providers-and-health-care-managers

COVID-19 resources for health professionals, including aged care providers, pathology providers and health care managers

Fact sheet, Guidance
Last Updated

This resource offers COVID-19 guidance for health professionals and aged care providers. It includes information on managing outbreaks, infection control, PPE use, and telehealth services. These resources support safe and effective care delivery while ensuring compliance with guidelines during the pandemic 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
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
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 resources for health professionals, including aged care providers, pathology providers and health care managers
/quality-standards/fact-sheet-asymptomatic-bacteriuria

Fact sheet - Asymptomatic bacteriuria

Fact sheet
Published date

This fact sheet offers guidance on managing asymptomatic bacteriuria and reducing inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing for residents of aged care facilities. It details symptoms, strategies to decrease unwarranted antimicrobial prescriptions for asymptomatic bacteriuria, and an assessment and treatment framework for residents suspected of urinary tract infections. 

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
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
Fact sheet - Asymptomatic bacteriuria
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-leads-updates-providers

Infection Prevention and Control Leads: Updates for providers

Fact sheet
Published date

This fact sheet provides updated information for providers of aged care on effective infection prevention and control capability. This is critical to the safe, effective delivery of personal and clinical care in aged care. This is particularly the case during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Infection prevention and control
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 4: The Environment
Outcomes
5.2: Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services, 4.2: Infection prevention and control
ipc leads thumbnail
/quality-standards/use-standard-and-transmission-based-precautions

Use of standard and transmission-based precautions

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource provides an overview of standard and transmission-based precautions, including personal protective equipment (PPE) use and patient placement requirements. It helps healthcare providers minimise infection risks by guiding appropriate PPE selection and patient placement based on local risk assessments, ensuring safe and effective infection prevention practices 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
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
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
Use of standard and transmission-based precautions
/quality-standards/use-hierarchy-controls-infection-prevention-and-control

Use of the hierarchy of controls in infection prevention and control

Fact sheet
Published date

This fact sheet provides guidance on using the hierarchy of controls with infection prevention systems to manage infection risks. It outlines strategies such as elimination, isolation, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to help aged care providers maintain infection control and ensure safe care environments. 

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
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
Use of the hierarchy of controls in infection prevention and control - Factsheet
/quality-standards/validating-infection-surveillance-data

Validating infection surveillance data

Fact sheet
Published date

This fact sheet provides guidance on validating infection surveillance data. It supports infection control teams in ensuring data accuracy and completeness, essential for effective infection control strategies. The resource outlines steps for both manual and automated validation methods and includes a checklist for common practices. 

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
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
Validating infection surveillance data
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-resources-consumers

Infection prevention and control resources for consumers

Fact sheet
Last Updated

This resource provides fact sheets for consumers and carers on infection prevention and control, including hand hygiene and healthcare-associated infections. It covers common infections such as MRSA, CPE, and CDI, offering guidance on prevention, treatment, and risk factors to help reduce the spread of infections 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
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
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 prevention and control resources for consumers
/quality-standards/ipc-location-based-guidance

IPC location-based guidance

Tool

This resource provides infection prevention and control (IPC) location-based guidance tailored for aged care providers. It includes state and territory-specific IPC requirements and offers links to relevant Commonwealth and local guidance. The document helps providers access and prioritise the appropriate IPC information to maintain compliance with regulations. 

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
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
IPC location-based guidance
/quality-standards/ipc-resource-collection

IPC resource collection

Tool

This is an Infection and Prevention Control (IPC) resource tool. This tool can be used by both residential and home care providers to access key pieces of information and reference materials on infection prevention and control. The tool provides access to specific information by selecting a relevant topic and sub-topic. 

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
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
IPC resources
/quality-standards/preventing-infections-aged-care-consumer-fact-sheet

Preventing infections – aged care consumer fact sheet

Fact sheet
Published date

This fact sheet provides essential tips for older people on how to prevent infections. It covers hand hygiene, vaccinations, home cleaning, proper disposal of needles, and mental health care. The resource is designed to support infection prevention practices in both community and 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
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
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
Preventing infections – aged care consumer fact sheet