Resource library

The Commissioner wrote to approved providers on 7 December 2020 about visitor access in a COVID-normal world

To support the aged care sector, the Commission has developed a range of storyboards that are designed to illustrate key behaviours and priority issues. The storyboards are particularly helpful in supporting people whose English or literacy levels may be a barrier when it comes to accessing content and are relevant to all providers and consumers, their families and representatives across the aged care sector. 

Advance Care Planning – Don’t Leave it Too Late

This fact sheet provides a brief overview of the process for preparing to return several residents to their residential aged care facility (RACF) from hospital.

How to stay safe from COVID-19 video is available in 15 different languages. The video aims to help consumers understand the steps they can take to keep themselves safe during the current pandemic. 

COVID-19 is an infection that can be more serious for some older people. We have developed a range of resources to help consumers understand their options on staying safe, keeping in touch with loved ones and keeping fit and active.

These translated guides provide useful information on how to stay safe in a time of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is an infection that’s more serious in some older people. You might be worried but there are ways you can connect with your loved ones while protecting yourself and others. The translated versions of this poster will show you how.

These translated guides will help you understand what to expect if someone has COVID-19 in your residential aged care service, including that a number of changes will take place. These changes will be made very quickly. You might be anxious when these changes take place but the aim is to keep you safe.

If someone has COVID-19 in your residential aged care service, a number of changes will take place. These changes will be made very quickly. You might be anxious when these changes take place but the aim is to keep you safe.

This poster has been translated into 15 languages to help residents understand what to expect in the time of COIVD-19.

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.