Aged Care Quality Standards

The Aged Care Quality Standards define what good care should look like for people living in residential aged care centers or receiving care and services in their homes. They were developed by the Australian Government in consultation with the aged care sector and came into effect on 1 July 2019.

The eight standards aim to give older Australians more control and guarantee that aged care providers deliver high quality care and services. These quality standards are made up of eight unique components, which when working together, help to provide an exceptional level of care for residents and other consumers within the system. Each standard is described from the viewpoint of the consumer, the organisation and the organisational requirements that must be met.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission assesses and monitors government-funded aged care services against the Quality Standards.

Here are the eight standards and what they mean.

1. Consumer dignity and choice

The first standard is foundational and recognises the importance of a consumer’s sense of self. It ensures that aged care consumers are treated with dignity and respect, are able to retain a strong sense of their identity and are able to make informed, autonomous choices whenever possible.

Aged care providers must foster a culture of inclusion, respect, independence and respect people’s privacy. Residents and customers are supported to make decisions about their own care and live the life they choose.

This means you will be treated with dignity, respect and be supported to maintain your identity. 

2. Ongoing assessment and planning

This standard ensures that the consumer is a part of their assessment and planning, so that they can get the best possible services going forward.

Assessment and planning for care and services should be done in collaboration with you to meet your needs, goals, and preferences.

This means you are a part of the ongoing assessment and planning that get you the care and services you need.

3. Personal care and clinical care

Standard three helps to provide personal and clinical care that is safe and appropriate for the consumer. This includes services such as bathing, dressing, providing mobility aids, nursing services, activities that promote independence and specialised therapy services.

Providers commit to delivering safe and effective personal care, clinical care, or a combination of both, tailored to the resident's needs, goals, values and preferences.

This means you get personal care or clinical care that is safe and suitable for your specific needs.

4. Services and support for daily living

This standard ensures that daily living services and supports are provided to consumers, to keep them healthy, happy and in control of their lives. Despite their health challenges, it allows them to keep on achieving their goals, in roles that are meaningful and health-promoting.

Residents are provided with safe and efficient services and support for their daily living, promoting independence, health, wellbeing and overall quality of life. This includes food services, domestic assistance, and recreational and social activities.

This means you get the support that is important for your health and wellbeing, and that enable you to do the things you want to do.

5. Organisation's service environment

The purpose of standard five is to make the consumer feel safe and comfortable in the service environment and a sense that they belong there. This mostly applies to the physical environment for the consumer’s care.

An organisation's service environment is safe and comfortable and encourages the resident’s independence, function and enjoyment. The environment is easy to navigate and understand, safe, clean, well-maintained and allows people to move freely.

This means you feel you belong, and that you’re safe and comfortable with the care you are receiving, in the care environment you are in.

6. Feedback and complaints

Standard six is designed to make the resident feel safe, supported and able to give feedback on their care (including complaints). They are also part of the feedback process and the resulting actions.

Aged care providers must have a fair, accessible and confidential system in place to investigate and address complaints or feedback from residents, their friends and families, carers and employees.

This means you feel safe and supported to give feedback and make complaints. You’re engaged in processes to address your concerns, and appropriate action is taken.

7. Human resources

This standard emphasises the need for organisations to have a skilled and qualified workforce to provide residents with safe, respectful and quality care and services.

Interactions with residents and customers must be kind, caring and respectful of each person’s identity, culture and diversity.

This means you get quality care and services when you need them, provided by a team of knowledgeable, skilled and compassionate professionals.

8. Organisational governance

The eighth and final standard addresses how well the organisation is run, to give the consumer confidence and feel as though they’re a partner in their own care.

The governing body of the organisation is accountable for the provision of safe and quality care and services. Necessary systems are in place for information management, ensuring financial governance, overseeing the workforce, complying with regulations, and handling feedback and complaints.

This means you believe the organisation is effectively managed. 

 

The Aged Care Quality Standards are critical to ensure that facilities provide the best possible care to their residents. And they’re strictly enforced to make sure this happens, coming into effect from July 2019.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission enforces the standards by monitoring and assessing a facility’s performance against each. This helps to keep the facility accountable, resolve problems and if the infringements aren’t resolved quickly enough, close it down.

For a much more thorough understanding of each standard and their requirements, check out this comprehensive resource from the Australian Government.

At Estia Health we strive to maintain excellent standards of care and you should always feel comfortable to raise any concerns or issues you have if you feel that the standard of care is not what you expect. We will then do our very best to address your concerns. You can also call the Commission on 1800 951 822.

Read here for more information on respite care, long term care, clinical care and dementia care."Assessment and planning for care and services should be done in collaboration with you to meet your needs, goals, and preferences, ensuring you receive the care and services you need for your health and well-being."