Aged Care Quality Standards

Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards — August 2025

Below are the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards (strengthened Standards), including the expectation statements for older people, intent of each standard, and outcomes supported by outcome statements and actions. Further information can be found at Health.gov.au/Quality-Standards.

Important Information

• The strengthened Standards in this document are not yet in operation.
• This document supports the release of the final draft of the Aged Care Rules 2025 for the new Aged Care Act.
• The strengthened Standards will come into effect in line with the Act and new regulatory model.

Interpretation

• References to a ‘provider’ include ‘registered providers’ for the purpose of the Aged Care Rules and the Act.
• ‘The Act’ refers to the Aged Care Act 2024.

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Standard 1: The Individual

Intent of Standard 1
Standard 1 underpins the way that providers and aged care workers are expected to treat older people and is relevant to all standards. It reflects concepts about dignity and respect, individuality and diversity, independence, choice and control, culturally safe care, and dignity of risk.

Standard 1 expectation statement for older people:
I have the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to live free from any form of discrimination. I make decisions about my funded aged care services, with support when I want or need it. My identity, culture and diversity are valued and supported, and I have the right to live the life I choose. My provider understands who I am and what is important to me, and this determines the way my funded aged care services are delivered.

Outcome 1.1: Person-centred care
The provider understands that the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life of individuals is the primary consideration.
Actions include:

• 1.1.1 Engagement supports individuals to feel safe, welcome, included and understood.
• 1.1.2 Implementation of strategies to identify background, culture, diversity, and communication needs.
• 1.1.3 Recognition of rights and respect for autonomy, including intimacy and sexual expression.
• 1.1.4 Workers build professional and trusting relationships in partnership with individuals.

Outcome 1.2: Dignity, respect and privacy
Services must be free from discrimination, abuse, and neglect, respecting personal privacy.
Actions include:

• 1.2.1 Systems to recognise, prevent and respond to violence, abuse, racism, and neglect.
• 1.2.2 Individuals are treated with kindness, dignity and respect.
• 1.2.4 Personal privacy is respected; individuals have choice about how and when they receive intimate personal care.

Outcome 1.3: Choice, independence and quality of life
The provider must support individuals to exercise choice and make decisions about their services.
Actions include:

• 1.3.1 Information provided to enable informed decisions is current, accurate, and timely.
• 1.3.4 Support to access advocates of their choosing.
• 1.3.5 Enabling positive risk-taking that promotes autonomy.

Outcome 1.4: Transparency and agreements
Support for individuals to understand and make informed decisions about agreements, fees, and invoices.
Actions include:

• 1.4.2 Support to understand rights and responsibilities, services provided, and fees to be paid.
• 1.4.5 Systems to ensure prices, fees and payments are accurate and transparent.
• 1.4.7 Promptly addressing overcharging and providing refunds.

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Standard 2: The Organisation

Intent of Standard 2
Standard 2 sets out the expectations of the governing body to meet the requirements of the Quality Standards. The governing body sets strategic priorities and promotes a culture of safety and quality.

Standard 2 expectation statement for older people:
The organisation is well run. I can contribute to improvements. My provider and aged care workers listen and respond to my feedback. I receive services from workers who are knowledgeable, competent, capable and caring.

Key Outcomes and Actions:

• Outcome 2.1: Partnering with individuals – Designing, delivering, and evaluating services in partnership with individuals.
• Outcome 2.3: Accountability and Quality System – Maintenance of current policies and procedures informed by evidence-based practice.
• Outcome 2.4: Risk management – Systems to identify, assess, document, and review risks.
• Outcome 2.5: Incident management – Systems to record, investigate, and learn from incidents and near misses.
• Outcome 2.6: Complaints and feedback – Encouraging complaints without reprisal and using them for continuous improvement.
• Outcome 2.7: Information management – Securely managing records and ensuring individuals can access or correct their information.
• Outcome 2.8: Workforce planning – Identifying the number and mix of workers required for safe delivery.
• Outcome 2.9: Human resource management – Providing training and supervision; core matters include dementia care and cultural safety.
• Outcome 2.10: Emergency and disaster management – Plans to manage risks to health and safety during emergencies.

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Standard 3: The Care and Services

Intent of Standard 3
Standard 3 describes how providers must deliver safe, effective, and tailored care that optimises quality of life.

Key Outcomes and Actions:

• Outcome 3.1: Assessment and planning – Identifying needs, goals, and preferences; regular reviews of care plans.
• Outcome 3.2: Delivery of services – Minimising the use of restrictive practices and ensuring referrals are timely.
• Outcome 3.3: Communicating for safety – Effectively sharing critical information at transitions of care.
• Outcome 3.4: Planning and coordination – Ensuring care is planned and coordinated when multiple providers are involved.

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Standard 4: The Environment

Intent of Standard 4
Services must be delivered in a physical environment that is safe, supportive, and clean.

Key Outcomes and Actions:

• Outcome 4.1: Physical Environment – Ensuring service environments areroutinely cleaned, fit-for-purpose, and easy to navigate.
• Outcome 4.2: Infection prevention – Implementing an infection control system and providing necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).

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Standard 5: Clinical Care

Intent of Standard 5
Providers must deliver safe and quality clinical care services, encompassing assessment, treatment, and harm minimisation.

Key Outcomes and Actions:

• Outcome 5.1: Clinical governance – Integrating clinical governance into corporate governance.
• Outcome 5.3: Safe use of medicines – Monitoring for medicines-related adverse events and high-risk medicines.
• Outcome 5.5: Safety of clinical care – Managing risks such as choking, falls, malnutrition, and pressure injuries.
• Outcome 5.7: Palliative and end-of-life care – Preserving dignity and managing symptoms in the last days of life.

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Standard 6: Food and Nutrition

Intent of Standard 6
Standard 6 focuses on providing nutritionally adequate, appetising food and an enjoyable dining experience. (Applicable to residential care homes).

Key Outcomes and Actions:

• Outcome 6.1: Partnering on food – Monitoring satisfaction and nutritional intake.
• Outcome 6.3: Provision of food – Menus are developed with chefs and dietitians; variety and choice are provided.
• Outcome 6.4: Dining experience – Ensuring sufficient staff are available to support individuals to eat and drink.

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Standard 7: The Residential Community

Intent of Standard 7
Ensuring individuals feel safe and at home, with opportunities for meaningful activity. (Applicable to residential care homes).

Key Outcomes and Actions:

• Outcome 7.1: Daily living – Supporting social connections, personal relationships, and lifestyle activities.
• Outcome 7.2: Transitions – Coordinating well-managed transitions to and from hospitals or other care services.

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Contact Information

• Visit: Health.gov.au/Quality-Standards
• Phone: 1800 836 799 (My Aged Care helpline)
• Translating Services: 131 450
• National Relay Service: nrschat.nrscall.gov.au/nrs or 1800 555 660