SIRS provider resources

This page includes links to resources which help providers understand the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS). If you are an aged care consumer please visit the SIRS consumer resources page.

The Commission develops guidance materials and other resources to support residential aged care providers with understanding their requirements under the Serious Incident response Scheme (SIRS).

Approved forms

Below are the Commission-approved forms providers must use in submitting to the Commission the following:

• a notice of additional information under section 15NE(5) of the Quality of Care Principles 2014 – SIRS – Notice of additional information (Priority 1)
• a notice of additional information under section 15NF(3) of the Quality of Care Principles 2014 – SIRS – Notice of additional information (Priority 2)
• a notice of significant new information under section 15NH of the Quality of Care Principles 2014 – SIRS – Notice of significant new information
• a final report about a reportable incident under section 15NI of the Quality of Care Principles 2014 – SIRS – Final report on reportable incident

Articles

The following articles from our Aged Care Quality Bulletin newsletter address the 6 essential elements of an effective incident management system (IMS):

1. Ensure leadership and a safety culture (Quality Bulletin, February 2022)
2. Responding to incidents (Quality Bulletin, March 2022)
3. Record and report the incident (Quality Bulletin, April 2022)
4. Analyse the incident (Quality Bulletin, May 2022)
5. Implement actions (Quality Bulletin, June 2022)
6. Close the loop (Quality Bulletin, July 2022)

Fact sheets

• What is an effective incident management system?
• Recording incidents in an incident management system
• SIRS readiness checklist
• SIRS reportable incidents – Unreasonable use of force
• SIRS reportable incidents – Unlawful sexual contact or inappropriate sexual conduct
• SIRS reportable incidents – Psychological or emotional abuse
• SIRS reportable incidents – Unexpected death
• SIRS reportable incidents – Stealing or financial coercion by a staff member
• SIRS reportable incidents – Neglect
• SIRS reportable incidents – Inappropriate use of restrictive practices
• SIRS reportable incidents – Unexplained absence from care

Frequently asked questions

• Frequently asked questions

Guidance documents

• Submitting a SIRS notification
• Reporting serious incidents: Using a problem solving approach to enhance effective incident management
• Reporting serious incidents: Practical tips for providers when making a notification (20 December 2021)
• Serious Incident Response Scheme: Guidelines for residential aged care providers (updated July 2022)
• Effective incident management systems: Best practice guidance
• Reportable incidents workflow

Poster

• Essential elements of effective incident management systems – A3 poster

Roundtable outcome summaries

• June 2021 SIRS provider roundtable
• November 2021 SIRS provider roundtable

Webinars

• SIRS webinar #1: Introduction to the SIRS – 25 February 2021
• SIRS webinar #2: Incident management systems – 11 March 2021
• SIRS webinar #3: Reporting under the SIRS – 18 March 2021
• SIRS webinar #4: Overview of the Commission's role – 25 March 2021
• SIRS webinar #5: SIRS and quality aged care – 8 April 2021

Workshops

• Effective Incident Management Systems (IMS)
• The Serious Incident Response Scheme within residential services (condensed)

Videos

• What is the SIRS: Overview
• Benefits of effective incident management
• Incident management under the SIRS
• Reportable incidents under the SIRS

You can find all the SIRS resources in our Resource library.