Resource library

In the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 at a residential service, the service’s Outbreak Management Team and key personnel at the service will be working in close co-operation with public health authorities and other parties to ensure an effective emergency response.  A key personnel template has been developed to assist providers in identifying key personnel of the service and their contact details to support this response. 

This discussion paper explores strategies to improve medication management in aged care, including reducing inappropriate prescriptions and promoting non-pharmacological interventions. It reviews current interventions' effectiveness, highlights the use of psychotropic medications, and identifies areas for improving practices through multifaceted and multidisciplinary approaches for better resident outcomes and healthcare 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. 

On Thursday 6 August 2020, the Commission held a webinar for NSW/QLD-based providers of residential aged care services to share insights from the Commission’s work in monitoring and supporting services to prepare for and respond to an outbreak.

It’s important to stay in touch with the people you love, even if COVID-19 restrictions mean they can’t visit you as easily or as often.

Are you missing some of your favourite activities? You can still do many of the social activities you enjoy, though they may be a little different.

Download the How to stay safe from COVID-19 images for social media, email and web.

Download the Stay connected with the people you love during COVID-19 images for social media, email and web.

Download the How to stay active and enjoy yourself during COVID-19 images for social media, email and web.

Regulatory Bulletin RB 2020-11 Publication of provider performance information (PDF) (540.5 KB)



RB 2020-11 This Regulatory Bulletin details the information the Commission publishes about aged care service providers' performance in relation to their responsibilities under the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018 (Commission Act) and the Aged Care Act 1997, or the Commonwealth funding agreement that relates to a service.

States and Territories have established directions giving effect to the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee’s recommendation that visitors and staff (including visiting workers) should not be permitted to enter a residential aged care facility, if they have not been vaccinated against influenza (after 1st May 2020).  

Residential aged care facilities may wish to display the attached poster at entrances, to alert anyone entering the facility of these flu vaccination requirements. 

Six steps for safe prescribing antipsychotics and benzodiazepines in residential aged care.

If you’re thinking of prescribing these medicines to manage the behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia, follow these 6 steps.

What are psychotropic medications? 

Psychotropic medications are ‘any drug capable of affecting the mind, emotions and behaviour'

The three main classes of psychotropics prescribed are antidepressants, anxiolytic/hypnotics (mostly benzodiazepines to manage anxiety and insomnia) and antipsychotics. Other psychotropic classes include anticonvulsants and stimulants. 

This resource was designed to support aged care providers to partner and engage with consumers to drive the delivery of consumer-centred care.

This literature review examines published peer-reviewed articles and a broader set of literature to gain an understanding of existing models of co-design that have been successfully applied in a range of sectors both in Australia and internationally, which could be applied in the Australian aged care sector.

To inform this piece of work, we have undertaken a literature review of co-design and consumer engagement.

This report describes the key themes and findings from online surveys of aged care consumers and aged care providers, regarding best practice models for engagement between consumers and providers.

Under the Aged Care Quality Standards, the organisation’s governing body is accountable for the delivery of safe and quality care and services. This includes consideration of leadership, organisational culture, consumer engagement, organisation wide governance, risk management and clinical governance.

This webinar will help you to understand your regulatory and legislative obligations.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is helping providers to understand issues and their responsibilities around minimising the use of chemical and physical restraint. This includes ensuring that providers are appropriately documenting each instance of use.

An activity to raise awareness of the importance of identity culture and diversity

These scenarios cover a range of examples to help providers understand issues around the use of restrictive practices. They are intended to be illustrative only, and should not be relied upon as authority.

A short video for aged care consumers, their families and representatives, explaining what the Aged Care Quality Standards mean in practice.

The video has been translated in 25 languages including Arabic, Armenian, Cantonese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Korean, Latvian, Macedonian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese.

Please note: these videos are not available for download or hard copy order.