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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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 47 result(s)
/quality-standards/emergency-plans-and-procedures

Emergency plans and procedures

Guidance

This resource outlines the requirement for all workplaces, including aged care facilities, to have an emergency plan under the model WHS laws. The plan must inform workers and visitors about what to do in emergencies, be easily accessible, and be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure effectiveness.

Guidance and requirements may differ across states and territories. Users are responsible for considering their individual circumstances and specific state-based regulations and legislation.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Emergency and disaster management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management
Emergency plans and procedures
/quality-standards/emergency-resilience-culturally-and-linguistically-diverse-communities

Emergency Resilience in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities

Guidance
Published date

This resource provides insight into the resilience of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in the face of emergencies and disasters. It explores key challenges and opportunities for enhancing resilience, such as the impact of migration, social capital, and communication barriers. It aims to equip stakeholders with actionable strategies to support resilience within these communities during crises.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Emergency and disaster management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management
Emergency Resilience in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities
/quality-standards/work-related-psychological-health-and-safety-systematic-approach-meeting-your-duties

Work-related psychological health and safety: A systematic approach to meeting your duties

Guidance
Last Updated

This guide offers a systematic approach to managing work-related psychological health and safety, particularly under work health and safety (WHS) and workers’ compensation laws. It provides businesses with a structured methodology for preventing psychological harm, intervening early when signs of stress appear, and supporting workers' recovery and return to work. Though the guide is an archived document, it can still offer useful background on managing psychosocial hazards but does not reflect recent changes in regulations.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning
Work-related psychological health and safety: A systematic approach to meeting your duties
/quality-standards/mental-health-tips-aged-care-workers-and-managers

Mental health tips for aged care workers and managers

Guidance

This resource provides mental health tips for aged care workers and managers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and overall mental wellbeing. The resource offers evidence-based advice on recognising when extra support is needed and how to maintain mental health, helping aged care staff navigate challenging times effectively.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning
Mental health tips for aged care workers and managers
/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/my-food-and-dining-preferences-form

My food and dining preferences - form

Fact sheet
Published date
Last Updated

This fact sheet helps aged care residents communicate their food and dining preferences. It includes sections for meal choices, dining preferences, assistance needs, health considerations, cultural or religious customs, and contact information for allied health professionals. It also advises staff to monitor changes in weight and contact a dietitian if needed. 

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, Delivering comprehensive care and services, Assessment and planning
Standard
3: The Care and Services, 6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 3.1 Assessment and planning, 7.1: Daily living
Image of Food and dining preferences fact sheet
/quality-standards/dining-residential-aged-care-tips-and-tricks-fact-sheet

Dining in residential aged care - tips and tricks fact sheet

Fact sheet
Published date

This fact sheet provides practical tips for enhancing dining experiences in residential aged care settings. It offers guidance on food presentation, meal assistance, creating a respectful and enjoyable atmosphere, supporting independence, and providing culturally appropriate dining options. The aim is to improve mealtime satisfaction while maintaining older peoples' dignity and people's preferences. 

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
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks
Image of Dining in residential aged care - tips and tricks fact sheet
/quality-standards/workforce-responsibilities

Workforce responsibilities

Guidance

This resource outlines the workforce responsibilities of aged care providers, including the legal obligation to provide skilled staff and support their workforce. It details mandatory requirements such as 24/7 registered nurse coverage and care minutes for residential aged care 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.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning, 2.9: Human resource management
Workforce responsibilities
/quality-standards/workforce-planning-aged-care

Workforce planning in aged care

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance about workforce planning in aged care. It includes information about workforce composition, current requirements and why it's important. It highlights the importance of the care experience, including continuity of 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
External resource
Key Theme
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning
Workforce planning in aged care
/quality-standards/residential-aged-care-food-services-discussion-paper

Residential aged care food services discussion paper

Discussion paper
Published date

This paper presents a high-level overview of contemporary evidence regarding food services in residential aged care settings.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Food and nutrition
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 6.3: Provision of food and drinks, 6.4: Dining experience
Cover page - Residential aged care food services discussion paper with two women at a table enjoying a meal
/quality-standards/making-sure-your-workers-can-work-aged-care

Making sure your workers can work in aged care

Fact sheet
Published date

You need to have governance systems and processes to make sure your aged care workers can work in aged care.

This fact sheet explains a provider’s responsibilities for:

  • screening workers
  • preventing breaches to banning orders.

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
Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.8: Workforce planning, 2.9: Human resource management
Making sure your workers can work in aged care
/quality-standards/celebrating-successes-engaging-people-improve-food-nutrition-and-dining

Celebrating successes in engaging people to improve food, nutrition and dining

Guidance

This resource highlights successful practices in engaging older people to improve food, nutrition, and dining experiences. Providers can use examples like food focus groups, family involvement in recipe changes, and resident-led dining committees to promote enjoyable, dignified, and inclusive dining. It fosters better health, wellbeing, and relationships with staff. 

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
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Food and nutrition
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 7.1: Daily living
Celebrating successes in engaging people to improve food, nutrition and dining
/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/cultural-considerations-food-nutrition-and-dining

Cultural considerations in Food, Nutrition and Dining

Guidance

This resource provides guidance on incorporating cultural considerations into food, nutrition, and dining in aged care settings. It highlights the importance of understanding diverse dietary preferences, religious practices, and family dynamics to support person-centred care, improve wellbeing, and promote inclusivity within the aged care environment. 

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, Person-centred care, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition, 1: The Individual, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 1.1: Person-centred care, 7.1: Daily living
Cultural considerations in Food, Nutrition and Dining
/quality-standards/food-thought-positive-stories

Food for thought - positive stories

Guidance

This resource shares positive stories about food, nutrition, and dining improvements in aged care facilities. It highlights initiatives that enhance the dining experience, including resident involvement in meal planning, use of fresh and seasonal ingredients, and creating more social and enjoyable mealtime environments. These stories demonstrate best practices and innovative approaches to improve resident satisfaction and wellbeing. 

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Food and nutrition
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition
Outcomes
6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 6.3: Provision of food and drinks, 6.4: Dining experience
Food for thought - positive stories
/quality-standards/food-nutrition-dining-resources-workers

Food, nutrition & dining: resources for workers

Guidance

This resource provides aged care workers with tools to enhance food, nutrition, and dining experiences for people in their care. It includes practical guides on offering choice, managing swallowing difficulties, promoting oral health, and creating an enjoyable dining environment, all while ensuring adherence to aged care 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.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Food and nutrition, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 6.3: Provision of food and drinks, 6.4: Dining experience, 7.1: Daily living
Food, nutrition & dining: resources for workers
/quality-standards/fire-security-and-workplace-emergencies

Fire, Security and Workplace Emergencies

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on workplace emergencies. It includes information about what to do if there's an emergency at your workplace, types of emergencies, evacuation procedures and more. It highlights the importance of being aware of people's needs in an emergency situation and considering vulnerable people when developing an evacuation plan.

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
Emergency and disaster management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management
Fire, Security and Workplace Emergencies
/quality-standards/food-nutrition-dining-resources-providers

Food, nutrition & dining: resources for providers

Guidance

This resource provides tools and guidance for aged care providers to ensure quality food, nutrition, and dining experiences. It includes hotlines, resources for dining, choice, swallowing, and oral health, as well as webinars, research findings, and practical tips to support older adults' wellbeing and meet care 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.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Clinical safety, Food and nutrition, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
5: Clinical Care, 6: Food and Nutrition, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
5.5: Safety of clinical care services, 6.1: Partnering with individuals on food and drinks, 6.2: Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences, 6.3: Provision of food and drinks, 6.4: Dining experience, 7.1: Daily living
Food, nutrition & dining: resources for providers
/quality-standards/governing-reform-aged-care-practical-tools

Governing for Reform in Aged Care - Practical tools

Tool

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.

Author
Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Key Theme
Corporate and clinical governance, Accountability and quality system, Risk management system, Information management system, Workforce and human resources management
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.2a: Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support aged care workers to deliver quality care, 2.3: Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures, 2.4: Risk management, 2.7: Information management, 2.8: Workforce planning
Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program
/quality-standards/health-support-aged-care-flood-affected-regions

Health support for aged care in flood-affected regions

Fact sheet
Published date

This resource outlines support available for aged care providers in flood-affected regions. It includes guidance on emergency management, workforce arrangements, access to medical supplies, and disaster relief funding. The document also provides state-specific emergency contacts and resources to help maintain service continuity during and after floods. 

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
Standard
2: The Organisation
Outcomes
2.10: Emergency and disaster management
Health support for aged care in flood-affected regions