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We are publishing this resource in draft form to assist providers, workers and

older people to prepare for the Aged Care Act 2024.

This content remains draft and will be updated after the new Act and Aged Care

Rules 2025 come into force.

The Aged Care Quality Standards are being updated to strengthen the focus on

person -centred, accessible quality care.

For older people, the focus and purpose of these changes means having choice

about how to live their life, being included in the planning and management

their care, improving their quality of life in all aspects of daily care and

living. For registered providers, these updates and changes mean actively

engaging with older people to improve the safety and quality of funded aged

services. clearer expectations of conformance with actionable

focusing on person -centred care and supporting a rights -based approach.

There are seven Strength and Quality Standards and each standard includes

Intents, which describes the overall purpose of the standard.

Expectations Statements, which outlines what the older person can expect from

their provider.

outcomes which describe what providers will need to be assessed against and

actions designed to describe what providers might need to do to meet the

outcomes. The seven strength and quality standards are the individual, the

organisation, the care and services, the environment, clinical care,

food and nutrition and the residential community.

Strength and Quality Standard 1 focuses on treating older people with dignity

and respect, recognising their diverse backgrounds and identities and ensuring

person -centred safe care that respects autonomy, culture and individuality.

Strength and Quality Standard 2 ensures that providers are responsible for

delivering quality care and services.

partnering with older people, making continuous improvements and supporting a

skilled workforce.

Strength and Quality Standard 3 outlines how providers should deliver person

-centred care and services by assessing, planning and coordinating effectively.

This standard also requires providers to respect the rights of older people to

take risks and recognises the vital role of their supporters.

Strength and Quality Standard 4 ensures that older people receive care in a safe

and supportive service environment that caters to their needs with a focus on

effective infection prevention and control.

Strength and Quality Standard 5 makes sure that older people receive safe,

person -centred clinical care services that suits their needs and goals by

promoting their wellbeing, mobility and participation in meaningful activities.

It focuses on how a skilled workforce can use up -to -date, evidence -based

practices to provide quality clinical care.

Strength and Quality Standard 6 ensures older people in residential care homes

receive enjoyable, nutritious food and drinks that meet their preferences and

needs.

It also recognises that food and dining play a large role in the feelings of

inclusion and belonging and fosters a sense of community and wellbeing through

enjoyable dining experiences.

Strength and Quality Standard 7 focuses on creating a welcoming, home -like and

safe community within residential care homes where older people can engage in

meaningful activities.

maintain connections and have their cultural diversity respected.

Although each strength and quality standard focuses on specific areas, the

strength and quality standards should be considered as a whole in the delivery

of funded aged care services to older people.

To show conformance with the strength and quality standards, providers should

review and update their systems and processes.

This means ensuring they have clearly documented systems and processes,

implementing monitoring tools to ensure processes are being followed, engaging

with older people receiving care to understand their experience, care goals,

needs and outcomes, observing care and service in practice, seeking feedback

from the governing body, managers, workers and others involved in the

of care and services,

using that feedback to continuously improve care and services.

The Strength and Quality Standards are accompanied by the Statement of Rights,

the Statement of Principles and the Code of Conduct.

These set out the rights for those receiving care and the guiding

providing care.

Collectively, they ensure that people receiving care are treated respectfully

and their needs are properly addressed.

The Commission will continue to provide updated information on the Strength and

Quality Standards as work to finalise them progresses.

You can find further information on what category providers fall into, guidance

on the Strength and Quality Standards and other supporting information on the

Commission's website.