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.
ELDAC Managing Risk Toolkit
This resource provides the Managing Risk Toolkit designed for health professionals and care staff involved in palliative care and advance care planning for older people in residential care. It offers guidance on managing risks in areas such as nutrition, hydration, medication management, and care transitions at the end of life. The toolkit includes fact sheets, practical tips, and downloadable materials to support safe, effective care.
RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Abuse of older people
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.
Quality and safety in home services – 5 key areas of risk
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
Benefits of effective incident management video
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.
Governing for Reform in Aged Care - Practical tools
This resource provides practical tools for aged care governing bodies and executives to support governance processes. It includes templates for audit planning, risk management, performance reporting, and compliance monitoring, helping providers ensure effective oversight and decision-making aligned with the Aged Care Quality Standards.
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.
SIRS insights reports
This resource provides Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) insights reports, offering case study examples and data to help aged care providers improve incident management practices. The reports feature learnings from incidents such as unexplained absences and unreasonable use of force, helping providers assess their own practices and enhance care quality.
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.
Incident Management Systems
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.
Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)
This resource outlines the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS), which helps reduce abuse and neglect of older people in aged care services. It mandates that Commonwealth-subsidised aged care providers implement systems to manage and prevent serious incidents. Providers must report incidents such as abuse, neglect, and unlawful contact, ensuring older people’s safety and wellbeing. 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.
Serious incidents
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.
The Serious Incident Response Scheme
This resource provides an introduction to the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS), outlining its role in managing and reporting serious incidents in aged care. It includes guidance on incident management systems, the responsibilities of managers and workers, and reporting requirements for residential and home services.
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.
Reportable incidents
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.
Food and dining - your choices matter
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.
Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program
This resource outlines the Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program, designed to strengthen corporate and clinical governance capabilities for aged care leaders. It provides tools, online learning modules, webinars, and podcasts to support governance improvement and help leaders engage in reform efforts.
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.
A little yarn goes a long way - Fact sheet
The ‘A little yarn goes a long way’ fact sheet has been developed to inform older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and their friends and family, about the support available to help them resolve concerns about aged care services, and why it’s important to raise these concerns.
Information is also available in 7 different languages including: English, Alyawarra, Arrernte, Luritja, Pitjantjatjarra, Torres Strait Creole and Warlpiri.
Explaining aged care and your rights – locally tailorable poster - First Nations resources
We’ve developed a tailorable poster for you to edit with your own local details, and print and display at community notice boards or waiting areas.
First Nations - Visual Storyboard - Aged care and your rights
The storyboards use pictures to explain aged care, your rights and what to do if your rights aren’t being met.
Complaints about aged care services report
This resource provides reports on complaints about aged care services, offering insights for providers to improve complaint handling. It includes data, case studies, and guided questions to help providers address concerns in both residential and home care settings, supporting better outcomes for people receiving 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.
Complaints & concerns
This resource explains how to raise complaints or concerns about aged care services. It outlines the complaints process, how to submit confidential or anonymous complaints, and the importance of good complaints handling in improving care quality. Providers are required to have systems for addressing and resolving complaints.
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.
Consumer advisory bodies
This resource explains the role of consumer advisory bodies in aged care, which provide feedback to governing bodies on care and services. It outlines the process for joining, the importance of feedback in decision-making, and the responsibility of providers to offer participation opportunities annually.
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.
Raising concerns and making an effective complaint
This resource provides guidance on how to raise concerns and make an effective complaint in aged care. It offers practical tips, a checklist, and tools to help people clearly communicate their issues with service providers. It also explains how to escalate complaints to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission if necessary. 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.