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The Standards checklist. Every Action across the 7 Strengthened Aged Care Standards, plus the statutory obligations that sit outside them, in one list. Tick off what you already have covered — nothing is stored unless you sign in.
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1 The Individual1.1 Person-centred care 1.1.1 The way the provider and aged care workers engage with individuals supports them to feel safe, welcome, included and understood.1.1.2 The provider implements strategies to:
a) identify the individual background, culture, diversity, beliefs and life experiences as part of assessment and planning and uses this to direct the way their funded aged care services are delivered
b) identify and understand the particular communication needs and preferences of the individual
c) ask and record if an individual identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
d) deliver funded aged care services that meet the needs of individuals with specific needs and diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons and individuals living with dementia
e) deliver funded aged care services that are culturally safe, trauma aware and healing informed, in accordance with contemporary, evidence-based practice
f) support individuals to cultivate relationships and social connections, including for individuals who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons, connection to community, culture, and Country and Island Home
g) continuously improve its approach to inclusion and diversity.1.1.3 The provider and aged care workers recognise the rights, and respect the autonomy, of individuals, including their right to intimacy and sexual and gender expression.1.1.4 Aged care workers have professional and trusting relationships with individuals and work in partnership with them to deliver funded aged care services.1.2 Dignity, respect and privacy 1.3 Choice, independence and quality of life 1.4 Transparency and agreements 2 The Organisation2.1 Partnering with individuals 2.1.1 The governing body partners with individuals to set priorities and strategic directions for the way their funded aged care services are provided.2.1.2 The provider supports individuals to participate in partnerships and partners with individuals:
a) who reflect the diversity of those who use their funded aged care services
b) who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to ensure funded aged care services are accessible to, and culturally safe for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons.2.1.3 The provider partners with individuals in the design, delivery, evaluation and improvement of quality funded aged care services.2.10.1 The provider develops emergency and disaster management plans that describe how the provider and aged care workers will respond to an emergency or disaster and to manage risks to the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals and aged care workers.2.10.2 The provider implements strategies to prepare for, and respond to, an emergency or disaster.2.10.3 The provider engages with individuals, supporters of individuals and aged care workers about the emergency and disaster management plans.2.10.4 The provider regularly tests and reviews the emergency and disaster management plans in partnership with individuals, supporters of individuals, aged care workers and other response partners.2.2a Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support aged care workers to deliver quality care 2.2b Quality, safety and inclusion culture to support individuals 2.3 Accountability, quality system and policies and procedures 2.3.1 The provider engages with aged care workers on the planning and design of systems they are required to engage with, to improve the delivery of quality funded aged care services.2.3.2 The provider implements a quality system that:
a) supports quality funded aged care services for all individuals
b) sets out accountabilities and responsibilities for supporting quality funded aged care services, specific to different roles
c) sets strategic and operational expectations for the delivery of quality funded aged care services
d) enables the governing body to monitor the organisation’s performance in delivering quality funded aged care services, informed by:
i) feedback from individuals, supporters of individuals and aged care workers delivering the funded aged care services
ii) analysis of risks, complaints and incidents (and their underlying causes)
iii) Quality Indicator data
iv) contemporary, evidence-based practice
e) supports the provider to meet strategic and operational expectations and identify opportunities for improvement.2.3.3 The governing body monitors investment in priority areas to deliver quality funded aged care services.2.3.4 The provider regularly reviews and improves the effectiveness of the quality system.2.3.5 The provider regularly reports on its quality system and performance to individuals, supporters of individuals and aged care workers.2.3.6 The provider practices open disclosure and communicates with individuals, supporters of individuals and aged care workers when things go wrong.2.3.7 The provider maintains and implements policies and procedures that are current, regularly reviewed, informed by contemporary, evidence-based practice, and are understood and accessible by aged care workers and relevant parties.2.6a Complaints and feedback management for aged care workers 2.6b Complaints and feedback management for individuals 2.7 Information management 2.9 Human resource management 2.9.1 The provider maintains records of aged care worker pre-employment checks, contact details, qualifications and experience.2.9.2 The provider deploys the number and mix of aged care workers to enable the delivery and management of safe and quality funded aged care services.2.9.3 Aged care workers have access to appropriate supervision, escalation, support and resources. This should be accessible for aged care workers with English as a second language, and be culturally sensitive.2.9.4 The provider maintains and implements a training system that:
a) includes training strategies to ensure that aged care workers have the necessary skills, qualifications and competencies to effectively perform their roles
b) draws on the experience of individuals to inform training strategies
c) is responsive to feedback, complaints, incidents, identified risks and the outcomes of regular aged care worker performance reviews.2.9.5 The provider regularly reviews and improves the effectiveness of the training system.2.9.6 All aged care workers regularly receive competency-based training in relation to core matters, at a minimum:
a) the delivery of person-centred, rights-based care
b) culturally safe, trauma aware and healing informed care
c) caring for individuals living with dementia
d) responding to medical emergencies
e) the requirements of the Code of Conduct, the Serious Incident Response Scheme, the Quality Standards and other requirements relevant to the aged care worker’s role.2.9.7 The provider undertakes regular assessment, monitoring and review of the performance of aged care workers.3 The Care and Services3.1 Assessment and planning 3.1.1 The provider implements a system for assessment and planning that:
a) identifies and records the needs, goals and preferences of the individual
b) identifies risks to the individual’s health, safety and wellbeing and, with the individual, identifies strategies for managing these risks
c) supports preventative care and optimises quality of life, reablement and maintenance of function
d) involves relevant health professionals where required
e) directs the delivery of quality funded aged care services.3.1.2 Assessment and planning is based on ongoing communication and partnership with the individual and others that the individual wishes to involve.3.1.3 The outcomes of assessment and planning are effectively communicated to:
a) the individual, in a way they understand
b) the individual’s supporters and others involved in their care, with the individual’s informed consent.3.1.4 Care and services plans are individualised and:
a) describe the individual’s needs, goals and preferences
b) are current and reflect the outcomes of assessments
c) include information about the risks associated with the delivery of funded aged care services and how aged care workers can support individuals to manage these risks
d) are offered to, and able to be accessed by, the individual
e) are used and understood by aged care workers to guide the delivery of funded aged care services.3.1.5 Care and services plans are reviewed regularly, including when:
a) the individual’s needs, goals or preferences change, or the care and services plan is not effective
b) the individual’s ability to perform activities of daily living, mental health, cognitive or physical function, capacity or condition deteriorates or changes
c) the care that can be provided by an individual’s family or carer changes
d) transition occurs
e) risks emerge or there are changes or an incident that impacts the individual
f) care responsibility changes between others involved in the individual’s care.3.1.6 The provider has processes for advance care planning that:
a) support the individual to discuss future medical treatment and care needs, in line with their needs, goals and preferences, including beliefs, cultural and religious practices and traditions
b) support the individual to complete and review advance care planning documents, if and when they choose
c) support the individual to nominate and involve a substitute decision maker for health and care decisions, if and when they choose
d) ensure that advance care planning documents are stored, managed, used and shared with relevant parties, including at transitions of care.3.2 Delivery of funded aged care services 3.2.1 Individuals receive culturally safe, trauma aware and healing informed funded aged care services that:
a) are provided in accordance with contemporary, evidence-based practices
b) meet their current needs, goals and preferences c) optimise their quality of life.3.2.2 The provider delivers funded aged care services in a way that optimises the individual’s quality of life, reablement and maintenance of function, where this is consistent with their preferences.3.2.3 Individuals are supported to use equipment, aids, devices and products safely and effectively.3.2.4 The provider ensures individuals receive timely and appropriate referrals to support early identification and intervention, reablement, maintenance of function and quality of life, including to:
a) health professionals
b) My Aged Care for re-assessment as required.3.2.5 The provider implements strategies for supporting aged care workers to:
a) recognise risks or concerns related to an individual’s health, safety and wellbeing
b) identify deterioration or changes to an individual’s ability to perform activities of daily living, mental health, cognitive or physical function, capacity or condition
c) respond to, and escalate, risks in a timely manner.3.2.6 The provider implements a system for caring for individuals living with dementia that:
a) incorporates contemporary, evidence-based strategies for the timely recognition of dementia and the delivery of care that best supports individuals living with dementia
b) enables the identification and regular review of the strengths and skills of individuals living with dementia and encourages use of these in day-today activities
c) enables supporters of individuals and health professionals involved in the individual’s care to act as partners in planning and delivering the individual’s funded aged care services (in line with the individual’s wishes).3.2.7 The provider minimises the use of restrictive practices and, where restrictive practices are used, these are:
a) used as a last resort
b) used in the least restrictive form and for the shortest time needed
c) used with the informed consent of the individual d) monitored and regularly reviewed.3.2.8 The provider makes reasonable efforts to involve the individual in selecting their aged care workers (including the gender of, and language spoken by, aged care workers providing funded aged care services) and maximise aged care worker continuity.3.2.9 The provider supports aged care workers to:
a) understand the way different individuals communicate, including individuals living with dementia or have difficulty communicating
b) communicate effectively with different individuals, both verbally and non-verbally.3.3 Communicating for safety and quality 3.4 Planning and coordination of funded aged care services 4 The Environment4.1a Environment – services delivered in the individual’s home 4.1b Environment – services delivered other than in the individual’s home 4.2 Infection prevention and control 4.2.1 The provider implements a system for infection prevention and control that is used where funded aged care services are delivered, which:
a) identifies an appropriately qualified and trained infection prevention and control lead
b) prioritises the rights, safety, health and wellbeing of individuals
c) complies with contemporary, evidence-based practice
d) describes standard and transmission-based precautions appropriate for the setting, including cleaning practices, hand hygiene practices, respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette and waste management and disposal
e) ensures personal protective equipment is available to aged care workers, individuals and others who may need it
f) supports aged care workers, individuals and others who need to use personal protective equipment to correctly use personal protective equipment
g) includes additional precautions to respond promptly to novel viruses and outbreaks of infectious diseases (suspected or confirmed)
h) communicates and manages infection risks to individuals, supporters of individuals and aged care workers
i) is informed by aged care workers and individual immunisation and infection rates
j) undertakes risk-based vaccine-preventable diseases screening and immunisation for individuals and aged care workers
k) implements disease screening and immunisation requirements for visitors.5 Clinical Care5.2 Preventing and controlling infections in delivering clinical care services 5.3 Safe and quality use of medicines 5.3.1 The provider implements a system for the safe and quality use of medicines, including processes to ensure:
a) access to medicines-related information for individuals, aged care workers and health professionals
b) health professionals and others caring for an individual can access the individual’s up-to-date medicines list and other supporting information at transitions of care
c) safe administration including assessing the individual’s swallowing ability, determining suitability of crushing medicines and providing alternative safe formulations when required
d) minimal interruptions to the administration of prescribed medicines including supporting access to medicines when an individual is prescribed a new medicine or an urgent change to their medicine
e) documentation of a current, accurate and reliable record of all medicines and the clinical reasons for the treatment, including pro re nata (PRN) medicines
f) support remote access for prescribing.5.3.2 The provider has processes to ensure medication reviews are conducted including:
a) at the commencement of care, at transitions of care and annually when care is ongoing
b) when there is a change in diagnosis or deterioration in behaviour, cognition or mental or physical condition or when a person is acutely unwell
c) when there is polypharmacy and the potential to deprescribe
d) when a new medicine is commenced, or a change is made to an existing medicine or medication management plan
e) when there is an adverse event potentially related to medicines.5.3.3 The provider documents existing or known allergies or side effects to medicines, vaccines or other substances at the commencement of care and monitors and updates documentation when new allergies or side effects occur.5.3.4 The provider implements processes to identify, monitor and mitigate risks to individuals associated with the use of high-risk medicines, including reducing the inappropriate use of psychotropic medicines.5.3.5 The provider has processes to report adverse medicine and vaccine events to the Therapeutic Goods Administration.5.3.6 The provider regularly reviews and improves the effectiveness of the system for the safe and quality use of medicines.5.4 Comprehensive care 5.4.1 The provider implements an assessment and planning system that supports partnering with the individual, supporters of the individual and other persons supporting the individual to set goals of clinical care services and support decision making.5.4.2 The provider conducts a comprehensive clinical assessment on commencement of clinical care services, at regular intervals and when needs change, that includes:
a) facilitating access to a comprehensive medical assessment with a general practitioner
b) identifying, documenting and planning for clinical risks, acute conditions and exacerbations of chronic conditions
c) identifying an individual’s level of clinical frailty and communication barriers and planning clinical care services to optimise the individual’s quality of life, independence, reablement and maintenance of function
d) identifying and providing access to the equipment, aids, devices and products required by the individual.5.4.3 The provider refers and facilitates access to relevant health professionals and medical, rehabilitation, allied health, oral health, specialist nursing and behavioural advisory services to address the individual’s clinical needs.5.4.4 The provider implements processes to:
a) deliver coordinated, multidisciplinary and holistic comprehensive care in line with the care and services plan
b) communicate and collaborate with others involved in the individual’s clinical care services, in line with the individual’s needs and preferences
c) facilitate access to after-hours and urgent clinical care services
d) provide timely notification to the individual’s general practitioner, the individual’s supporters, other persons supporting the individual and health professionals involved in the individual’s care when clinical incidents or changes occur.5.4.5 The provider implements processes to monitor clinical conditions and reassess when there is a change in diagnosis or deterioration in behaviour, cognition, mental, physical or oral health, and at transitions of care.5.5 Safety of clinical care services 5.5.1 The provider implements a system that supports the identification, monitoring and management of high impact and high prevalence clinical care risks, including but not limited to Actions 5.5.2 to 5.5.10.5.5.2 Choking and swallowing
The provider implements processes to support safe chewing and swallowing when the individual is eating, drinking, taking oral medicines and during oral care.5.5.3 Continence
The provider implements processes for continence care by:
a) optimising the individual’s dignity, comfort, function and mobility
b) ensuring safe and responsive assistance with toileting
c) managing incontinence
d) protecting the individual’s skin integrity and minimising incontinence associated dermatitis.5.5.4 Falls and mobility
The provider implements processes to minimise falls and harm from falls by:
a) maximising mobility to prevent functional decline
b) delivering effective and timely post falls care
c) monitoring falls and injuries and reviewing the reasons for and consequences from falls.5.5.5 Nutrition and hydration
The provider implements processes to maintain an individual’s nutrition and hydration by:
a) conducting regular malnutrition screening
b) minimising the impact of chronic conditions
c) responding to the risk of malnutrition and when an individual is malnourished or has unplanned weight loss or gain.5.5.6 Mental health
The provider implements processes to optimise mental health by:
a) actively promoting an individual’s mental health and wellbeing
b) responding to signs of deterioration in an individual’s mental health
c) responding supportively to distress and symptoms of mental illness including self-harm and suicidal thoughts minimising risks to the psychological and physical safety of each individual.5.5.7 Oral health
The provider implements processes to maintain oral health and prevent decline by:
a) facilitating access to a dentist or other oral health practitioner for oral health assessments at the commencement of care, regularly and when required
b) monitoring and responding to deterioration in oral health
c) assisting with daily oral hygiene needs.5.5.8 Pain
The provider implements processes to manage pain by: a) assessing the individual’s pain including where the individual experiences challenges in communicating their pain
b) planning for, monitoring and responding to the individual’s need for pain relief
c) ensuring pain management is available 24-hours a day.5.5.9 Pressure injury and wounds
The provider implements processes to prevent and manage pressure injuries and wounds by:
a) conducting routine comprehensive skin inspections
b) monitoring and responding to pressure injuries and wounds when they occur.5.5.10 Sensory Impairment
The provider implements processes to minimise and manage sensory impairment from hearing loss, vision loss and balance disorders by providing access to and supporting the use of assistive devices and aids to maximise the individual’s independence, function and quality of life.5.7 Palliative care and end-of-life care 5.7.1 The provider has processes to recognise when the individual requires palliative care or is approaching the end of their life, supports them to prepare for the end-of-life and responds to their changing needs and preferences.5.7.2 The provider supports the individual, supporters of the individual and other persons supporting the individuals and substitute decision maker, to:
a) continue end-of-life planning conversations
b) discuss requesting or declining aspects of personal care, life-prolonging treatment and responding to reversible acute conditions
c) review advance care planning documents to align with their current needs, goals and preferences.5.7.3 The provider uses its processes from comprehensive care to plan and deliver palliative care that:
a) prioritises the comfort and dignity of the individual
b) supports the individual’s spiritual, cultural and psychosocial needs
c) identifies and manages changes in pain and symptoms
d) provides timely access to specialist equipment and medicines for pain and symptom management
e) communicates information about the individual’s preferences for palliative care and the place where they wish to receive this care to aged care workers, supporters of individuals and other persons supporting individuals
f) facilitates access to specialist palliative care and end-of-life health professionals when required
g) provides a suitable environment for palliative care
h) provides information about the process when an individual is dying and about loss and bereavement to supporters of individuals and other persons supporting individuals.5.7.4 The provider implements processes in the last days of life to:
a) recognise that the individual is in the last days of life and respond to rapidly changing needs
b) ensure medicines to manage pain and symptoms, including anticipatory medicines, are prescribed, administered, reviewed and available 24-hours a day
c) provide pressure care, oral care, eye care and bowel and bladder care
d) recognise and respond to delirium
e) minimise unnecessary transfer to hospital, where this is in line with the individual’s preferences.6 Food and Nutrition6.1 Partnering with individuals on food and drinks 6.2 Assessment of nutritional needs and preferences 6.3 Provision of food and drinks 7 The Residential CommunityS Statutory obligations (outside the Strengthened Standards)S.1 Aged Care Act 2024 and Rules S.1.1 The Statement of Rights sets out an older person's rights (e.g. to exercise choice, be treated with dignity, access advocacy); the Act makes clear the Statement itself doesn't create new legal rights but informs how other provisions are applied. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.23-24)S.1.2 As a condition of registration, a provider must be able to demonstrate it understands individuals' rights under the Statement of Rights and has practices in place to act compatibly with it. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.144)S.1.3 Providers must comply with the Aged Care Code of Conduct and take reasonable steps to ensure their workers and responsible persons comply with it, as a condition of registration. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.145)S.1.4 Providers must comply with the Aged Care Quality Standards relevant to their registration category, as a condition of registration. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.146)S.1.5 Every aged care worker of a registered provider must personally comply with the Aged Care Code of Conduct. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.173)S.1.6 Every responsible person of a registered provider (e.g. a director or other key management) must personally comply with the Aged Care Code of Conduct. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.174)S.1.7 A registered provider generally needs a governing body with at least 5 members; smaller providers (under 40 care recipients) can seek an exemption. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.157)S.1.8 Defines a 'reportable incident' — abuse, neglect, unreasonable use of force, unlawful sexual contact, psychological or emotional abuse, unauthorised use of a restrictive practice, unexplained absence, and similar events occurring in connection with delivering funded aged care. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.16)S.1.9 Registered providers of a prescribed kind must notify the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner of reportable incidents and give other prescribed reports, in the approved form and within the timeframes set by the Rules (the Serious Incident Response Scheme: Priority 1 within 24 hours, Priority 2 within 30 days). (Aged Care Act 2024 ss.165A-166)S.1.10 Providers must have effective complaints, feedback, and whistleblower-protection arrangements as a condition of registration. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.165)S.1.11 A restrictive practice may only be used as a last resort, in proportion to the risk of harm, after less restrictive alternatives have been considered and documented, and only in accordance with the Rules. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.18)S.1.12 The Act gives limited immunity from civil or criminal liability for using a restrictive practice in specified circumstances (e.g. a genuine emergency) where the Act's requirements are met — relevant to how a provider structures its restrictive-practice policy. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.163)S.1.13 A responsible person must notify the Commission of any change of circumstances affecting their suitability to hold that role (e.g. a new criminal history finding or disqualification). (Aged Care Act 2024 s.169)S.1.14 Establishes the Aged Care Worker Screening Database, maintained by the Commissioner, recording persons found to pose (or not pose) a risk to individuals accessing funded aged care. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.379)S.1.16 A registered provider must enter into an accommodation agreement with a residential care recipient before care starts, or as soon as practicable after; the agreed accommodation payment must not exceed the published amount. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.294)S.1.17 Sets out when a refundable deposit can lawfully be charged for, and paid toward, residential accommodation. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.303)S.1.18 A refundable deposit balance a provider holds may only be used for permitted purposes (e.g. investing in permitted financial products, repaying capital-expenditure debt, refunding balances) — not as general working capital. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.310)S.1.19 Providers must give individuals (and their registered supporters, consistent with the individual's own will and preferences) access to their own personal information, and must keep records as prescribed. (Aged Care Act 2024 s.154)S.2 Aged Care (Financial and Prudential Standards) Rules 2025 S.3 Privacy Act 1988 (Australian Privacy Principles) S.3.1 APP entities — including aged care providers as organisations handling personal information — must comply with all 13 Australian Privacy Principles. (Privacy Act 1988 s.15 / Schedule 1)S.3.2 Providers must manage personal information openly and transparently, including keeping a clearly expressed, up-to-date privacy policy available to individuals. (Privacy Act 1988 Schedule 1, APP 1)S.3.3 Personal information may only be collected by lawful and fair means, and only where reasonably necessary; sensitive information (including health information) may only be collected with consent, subject to limited exceptions. (Privacy Act 1988 Schedule 1, APP 3)S.3.4 At or before collecting personal information (or as soon as practicable after), the individual must be told matters such as the collecting entity's identity, the purpose of collection, and who the information is usually disclosed to. (Privacy Act 1988 Schedule 1, APP 5)S.3.5 Personal information collected for one purpose can only be used or disclosed for that purpose, unless the individual consents or another permitted exception applies. (Privacy Act 1988 Schedule 1, APP 6)S.3.6 Providers must take reasonable steps to ensure the personal information they collect, use, or disclose is accurate, up-to-date, and complete. (Privacy Act 1988 Schedule 1, APP 10)S.3.7 Providers must take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure, and must destroy or de-identify it once it's no longer needed for a permitted purpose. (Privacy Act 1988 Schedule 1, APP 11)S.3.8 Individuals have a right to request access to their own personal information held by the provider; the provider must generally respond within 30 days, subject to limited grounds for refusal. (Privacy Act 1988 Schedule 1, APP 12)S.3.9 Individuals have a right to request correction of their personal information; the provider must respond within 30 days and, if satisfied the information is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading, take reasonable steps to correct it. (Privacy Act 1988 Schedule 1, APP 13)S.3.10 On suspecting an eligible data breach — unauthorised access, disclosure, or loss likely to cause serious harm — the provider must carry out a reasonable and expeditious assessment, generally within 30 days, and if confirmed, notify the OAIC and affected individuals as soon as practicable with the prescribed details. (Privacy Act 1988 ss.26WH, 26WK (Notifiable Data Breaches scheme))
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