Skip to main content

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 While we complete updating of our website, including draft guidance and other materials, to align with the new laws, providers are advised to refer to the new Act and Rules for any required clarification of their obligations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 105 result(s)
/quality-standards/designing-dementia-friendly-care-environments

Designing dementia-friendly care environments

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance for professionals on designing dementia-friendly care environments to help people living with dementia to make the best of everyday life. It includes dementia enabling environment principles and an example of how to design a space using the principles. The resource also includes links to other Dementia Australia resources about developing a dementia-friendly environment.

Author
External resource
Key Theme
Environment, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home, 4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Designing dementia-friendly care environments
/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/healthy-active-ageing-make-sure-your-home-safe

Healthy active ageing: Make sure your home is safe

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource, developed by the Queensland Government, provides guidance on maintaining a safe home environment for healthy, active ageing. It offers practical tips for identifying and removing hazards in various areas of the home to prevent falls.

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
Environment
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home
Healthy active ageing: Make sure your home is safe
/quality-standards/dementia-friendly-environments-personal-enjoyment

Dementia-friendly environments - Personal enjoyment

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on fostering personal enjoyment for people with dementia, encouraging meaningful activities based on life history and familiar roles. It includes ideas for sensory engagement, physical activity, and social connection in home-like settings.

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
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  
Dementia-friendly environments - Personal enjoyment
/quality-standards/dementia-friendly-environments-interior-design

Dementia-friendly environments - Interior design

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides guidance on interior design elements that create a familiar, practical, and dementia-friendly environment. It includes strategies for lighting, colour, furniture, and surfaces to enhance safety, wayfinding, and comfort in care settings.

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
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  
Dementia-friendly environments - Interior design
/quality-standards/assistive-technology

Assistive technology

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines standard infection control precautions, developed for VIC, including practices like hand hygiene, PPE use, and safe disposal of sharps. It is applicable across healthcare settings.

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
Environment, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1a: Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home
Assistive technology
/quality-standards/dementia-friendly-environments-designing-people-dementia

Dementia-friendly environments - Designing for people with dementia

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides design principles for creating dementia-friendly environments that support comfort, independence, and a sense of home. It includes guidance on optimising lighting, safety, social connection, and personalised spaces to enhance quality of life.

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
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment, 5: Clinical Care
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 5.6 Cognitive impairment  
Dementia-friendly environments - Designing for people with dementia
/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/bedrooms-and-privacy

Bedrooms and privacy

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource offers guidance on maintaining personal identity for people with dementia by fostering respect, independence, and communication. It suggests environmental and social modifications to enhance dignity, such as personalising spaces, supporting mobility, and addressing unmet needs.

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
Dignity, respect and privacy, Environment, Delivering comprehensive care and services
Standard
1: The Individual, 4: The Environment, 7: The Residential Community
Outcomes
1.2: Dignity, respect and privacy, 4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home, 7.1: Daily living
Bedrooms and privacy
/quality-standards/management-peripheral-intravenous-catheters-clinical-care-standard

Management of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters Clinical Care Standard

Guidance
Published date

This resource is the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care's Clinical Care Standard for the management of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters (PIVCs), aiming to reduce complications and improve care quality. It includes quality statements on PIVC assessment, insertion, maintenance, and removal, supporting best practices in all healthcare settings. The standard applies to all contexts where PIVCs are used, with the term ‘patients’ encompassing people across various healthcare settings, including hospitals, emergency services, and community 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
Management of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters Clinical Care Standard
/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/standard-and-transmission-based-precautions-posters

Standard and transmission-based precautions posters

Poster
Published date

This resource includes posters outlining standard and transmission-based precautions for infection control. It provides guidance on preventing healthcare-associated infections through hand hygiene, appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and environmental cleaning. These posters support staff in implementing best practices for infection prevention across care settings, including aged care facilities. 

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
Standard and transmission-based precautions posters
/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/infection-prevention-and-control-systems

Infection prevention and control systems

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource provides a detailed overview of infection prevention and control systems in healthcare settings. It highlights the use of standard and transmission-based precautions, hand hygiene, aseptic techniques, and workforce immunisation. The document outlines strategies to reduce infection risks and maintain clean, safe environments, ensuring comprehensive infection control management​. 

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 systems
/quality-standards/infection-prevention-and-control-advisory-committee

Infection Prevention and Control Advisory Committee

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines the role of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Advisory Committee. The committee provides strategic advice to support national initiatives related to infection prevention and control, focusing on compliance with safety standards, infection surveillance, and improving engagement with clinicians and consumers to enhance IPC practices​. 

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 Advisory Committee
/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/clean-and-safe-environment

Clean and safe environment

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines processes to maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic environment in healthcare, including aged care. It provides guidance on infection control, environmental cleaning, and staff training to reduce risks and make sure high-quality care. The document also covers responding to environmental risks, maintaining equipment, and infection prevention practices. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Clean and safe environment
/quality-standards/action-317-reprocessing-reusable-equipment-and-devices

Action 3.17 - Reprocessing of reusable equipment and devices

Guidance
Last Updated

This resource outlines procedures for reprocessing reusable medical equipment and devices to minimise infection risks. It covers processes for ensuring compliance with national and international standards, maintaining traceability, and managing reprocessing for novel infections. It also highlights the importance of proper storage, transport, and workforce training to support safe reprocessing. This resource may apply to healthcare contexts outside of aged care. 

Author
Australian Commission On Safety And Quality In Health Care
Key Theme
Delivering comprehensive care and services, Environment
Standard
4: The Environment
Outcomes
4.1b: Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home
Action 3.17 - Reprocessing of reusable equipment and devices