Aged Care Quality Standards
The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, set out in the Aged Care Rules and in force from 1 November 2025, cited by Rules section.
- held as
- Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025
- clauses cited here
- 32 of the 66 held
- registration
- aged care; shown only when you tick it
- every clause we hold
- Aged Care Quality Standards, clause by clause
These are the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, set out in the Aged Care Rules and in force from 1 November 2025. Each is cited by its Rules section (for example Rules s 15-15(4)). The Commission also numbers outcomes in its own guidance; we hold no crosswalk from the Rules sections to those numbers, so the page does not state them. The Standards in force before then were repealed on 1 November 2025 and are never cited: see old aged care standards.
The kinds of change that touch it
- New, moved or closed site or outlet: 7 rows
- New staff role or changed duties: 4 rows
- Key personnel or responsible person change: 2 rows
- Incident: 5 rows
- Policy or procedure update: 11 rows
- New service or support type: 3 rows
- Complaint received: 3 rows
- Restrictive practice: 1 rows
- Change of ownership or governance: 1 rows
- Change in scale or service area: 2 rows
- Suitability matter (provider or responsible person): 1 rows
- Associated provider arrangement changed: 3 rows
- Financial or prudential change: 1 rows
- Residential care home change: 2 rows
- Something else: 2 rows
What it asks, clause by clause
32 clausesThe provider must use a risk management system to identify, manage and continuously review risks to individuals, aged care workers and the provider's operations (see also s 147 of the Act).
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Risk management framework and risk registers covering individuals, workers and operations; Risk treatment plans and review records; Risk data analysis reported to governance
where it usually falls short Clinical and individual risks absent from the corporate risk register; Risks not reviewed after incidents
The provider must demonstrate that its emergency and disaster management planning considers and manages risks to the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals and aged care workers.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Emergency and disaster management plans; Exercise and test records with individuals and response partners; Communication of plans to individuals and workers
where it usually falls short Plans never tested; Home care clients not covered by emergency plans
The provider must demonstrate that it understands and manages its workforce needs and plans for the future.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Workforce strategy and plan; Rosters against care minute and registered nurse requirements; Agency usage and vacancy data; Workforce wellbeing measures
where it usually falls short Heavy reliance on agency staff with no plan; Care minute targets missed without action
Where services are delivered other than in individuals' homes, the provider must ensure individuals can access funded aged care services in a clean, safe and comfortable environment that optimises their sense of belonging, interaction and function.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Cleaning and maintenance schedules and records; Environmental audits including accessibility and freedom of movement; Dementia-friendly design features
where it usually falls short Locked areas restricting movement without justification; Maintenance backlog affecting safety
The provider must have an appropriate infection prevention and control system.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see IPC system documentation and designated IPC lead with training; Outbreak management plan; Immunisation and infection rate records; PPE stock and fit records
where it usually falls short No trained IPC lead; Outbreak plan not updated for novel pathogens
The provider must ensure individuals experience a well-coordinated transition, whether planned or unplanned, to or from a provider (see also s 149 of the Act).
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Transfer documentation and handover records; Hospital and emergency department use records; Post-return care reviews
where it usually falls short Incomplete information sent with hospital transfers; Care not reviewed on return
The provider must deliver funded aged care services by aged care workers who (a) are skilled and competent in their roles, (b) hold relevant qualifications, and (c) have expertise and experience relevant to delivering quality funded aged care services.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Personnel files with screening, qualifications and experience; Competency assessments; Deployment records matching skills to roles
where it usually falls short Qualifications not verified; Workers deployed beyond their competence
The provider must give aged care workers training and supervision that enables them to perform their roles effectively.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Training plan and completion records including the core competency topics; Supervision arrangements and records; Performance review records
where it usually falls short Training limited to induction; No supervision for new or agency workers
The provider must set out clear responsibility and accountability for delivering funded aged care services to individuals between aged care workers, registered health practitioners, allied health professionals and allied health assistants, and across organisations.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Documented responsibilities across internal roles and external organisations; Service agreements with health services; Specialist service connections
where it usually falls short No agreed responsibilities with visiting practitioners; Gaps when care is shared with external services
The provider must ensure that (a) a medicine has been prescribed for the individual before it is administered, and (b) medicines are appropriately and safely administered, monitored and reviewed by registered health practitioners, considering the individual's clinical needs and informed decisions.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Medication charts with prescriptions; Administration records; Medication review records by practitioners; Swallowing and crushing assessments
where it usually falls short Medicines given from outdated charts; Administration outside practitioner oversight
The governing body is accountable for the delivery of quality funded aged care services and must maintain oversight of all aspects of the provider's operations.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Governing body charter and delegations; Board reports covering quality, risk, incidents, complaints and Quality Indicators; Board monitoring of investment in quality priorities
where it usually falls short Board receives financial reports only; No oversight of subcontracted services
The provider must use an incident management system to (a) safeguard individuals, and (b) acknowledge, respond to, effectively manage and learn from incidents.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Incident management procedure and register including near misses; Investigation and corrective action records; Regulator notifications where required; Incident trend reports
where it usually falls short Near misses not recorded; Incidents closed without learning or prevention actions
The provider must deliver funded aged care services in a way that (a) is free from all forms of discrimination, abuse and neglect, (b) treats individuals with dignity and respect, and (c) respects their personal privacy (see s 23 and s 144 of the Act).
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see System to recognise, prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, racism, exploitation and discrimination; Incident and complaint records on dignity and privacy; Observation of intimate care given privately and by choice
where it usually falls short No process to recognise abuse beyond reportable incidents; Personal care given without privacy or choice of timing
The provider must ensure medicine-related adverse events are monitored and reported and used to inform safety and quality improvement.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Medication incident register; Reports to the Therapeutic Goods Administration where required; Improvement actions from medication incidents
where it usually falls short Medication errors under-reported; Adverse events not fed into improvement
The provider must ensure that risks to individuals, and changes and deterioration in their condition, are escalated and communicated as appropriate.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Deterioration recognition and escalation procedure; Escalation records and response times; Worker training on recognising deterioration
where it usually falls short Deterioration noted in progress notes but not escalated
The provider must (a) maintain current policies and procedures that guide the way aged care workers undertake their roles, and (b) require aged care workers to follow them.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Policy register with review dates; Worker acknowledgement and training on policies; Audits of adherence to procedures
where it usually falls short Policies overdue for review; Workers unable to find or explain key procedures
The provider must use a quality system to enable and drive continuous improvement of its delivery of funded aged care services (see also s 147 of the Act and the continuous improvement conditions).
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Quality system documentation with role accountabilities; Continuous improvement plan and register; Quality system reviews and reports to individuals and workers
where it usually falls short Improvement register not linked to complaints and incidents; Quality system never reviewed
The provider must encourage and support individuals, aged care workers, registered health practitioners and allied health professionals to use medicines in a way that maximises benefits and minimises the risk of harm.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Medication management policy; Medication reviews and deprescribing records; Psychotropic medicine use monitoring
where it usually falls short Polypharmacy not reviewed; High-risk medicines not flagged
The provider must ensure that individuals' information is kept confidential and managed appropriately, in line with their informed consent.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Consent records for collection, use and disclosure; Access controls on personal records; Privacy policy and breach handling records
where it usually falls short Information shared with third parties without consent; Broad staff access to records
The provider must demonstrate that it understands individuals' specific nutritional needs and assesses their current needs, abilities and preferences about what and how they eat and drink.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Nutrition and dining assessments and reassessments; Dietary preference records communicated to the kitchen; Swallowing assessments
where it usually falls short Preferences recorded once and never updated; Kitchen unaware of dietary needs
The provider must give individuals timely, accurate, tailored and sufficient information about their funded aged care services, in a way they understand (see also s 29 of the Act, information to supporters).
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Information materials in plain language and accessible formats; Interpreter and communication aid records; Informed consent records
where it usually falls short Information given only in English print; Information out of date after service changes
The provider must support individuals to understand and make informed decisions about their agreements, fees and invoices.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Fee schedules and invoices in clear language; Records of consent to fee changes before they apply; Overcharging corrections and refunds log
where it usually falls short Fee changes applied without prior consent; Invoices individuals cannot understand
The provider must (a) acknowledge and transparently manage all complaints and feedback, and (b) use complaints and feedback to contribute to the continuous improvement of funded aged care services (see also ss 147 and 165 of the Act).
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Complaint acknowledgement and resolution timeframes; Open disclosure records; Complaint trend analysis reported to the governing body; Improvements traced to complaints
where it usually falls short Complaints resolved without acknowledging the complainant; No link between complaints data and improvement plan
The provider must encourage and support aged care workers to make complaints and give feedback about its delivery of funded aged care services without reprisal.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Worker complaints and feedback procedure with no-reprisal commitment; Worker complaints register; Whistleblower policy
where it usually falls short Workers fear reprisal for raising concerns; Worker complaints handled informally with no record
The provider must identify situations and events that may lead to changes in behaviour.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Behaviour support plans identifying triggers; Records of causes investigated after behaviour change; Restrictive practice minimisation records
where it usually falls short Behaviours managed with medication without cause analysis
Where the provider uses equipment to deliver any funded aged care services, or provides equipment to individuals, the equipment must be safe and must meet the individuals' needs.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Equipment register with maintenance and inspection records; Assessment of equipment suitability for each individual
where it usually falls short Equipment not serviced; Equipment issued without suitability assessment
The registered provider must integrate clinical governance into corporate governance to actively manage and improve the safety and quality of clinical care services.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Organisation chart and committee structure showing clinical governance lines; Scope of practice controls; Agreements with practitioners on roles and protocols
where it usually falls short Clinical governance run separately from corporate risk and quality; Workers practising outside scope
The provider must ensure critical information relevant to delivering services is communicated effectively (a) to the individuals, (b) between aged care workers delivering the services, (c) to supporters and other persons supporting the individuals, and (d) to registered health practitioners, allied health professionals, allied health assistants and others involved in the individual's care.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Structured handover tools and records; Communication to practitioners and supporters; Care statements for residential care
where it usually falls short Critical information lost at shift handover; Supporters not told of significant changes
The provider must encourage and support individuals and others to make complaints and give feedback about its delivery of funded aged care services without reprisal.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Complaints information given to individuals and supporters; Access to advocates and language services; Complaints register
where it usually falls short Individuals unaware of how to complain or of advocacy; Complaints discouraged informally
The provider must support individuals to eat and drink.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Mealtime staffing records; Identification of individuals needing assistance; Observation of assisted meals at the individual's pace
where it usually falls short Too few workers at mealtimes; Meals removed uneaten without prompting
The provider must ensure individuals receive funded aged care services that are planned and coordinated, including where multiple health providers, registered providers, supporters and other persons supporting the individual are involved.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Records identifying other providers and coordination arrangements; Transition documentation; Case conference records
where it usually falls short No shared plan across providers; Transitions without handover information
The provider must ensure individuals feel safe in their residential care home.
Held text: Strengthened Quality Standards, Aged Care Rules 2025 Ch 1 Pt 6, Comp. No. 10 (F2026C00802); the Standards commenced 1 Nov 2025.
what an auditor asks to see Strategies protecting physical and psychological safety; Resident feedback on feeling safe; Controls over room access and privacy for visitors
where it usually falls short Residents report feeling unsafe with co-residents; Staff enter rooms without consent
Check one changeSee the specimen registerThe one-page sample register