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Australia’s strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards are set to transform the aged care sector from 1 July 2025. Rooted in person-centred care and safety, these standards promise enhanced wellbeing for older Australians. Read on to explore what’s changed, why these updates matter, and how your organisation can prepare for this pivotal shift.
Raising the bar: Seven standards for quality aged care
Australia's strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards cover seven key areas: the person, the organisation, care and services, the environment, clinical care, food and nutrition, and the residential community. These standards serve as a framework to ensure all older Australians receive safe, high-quality, and person-centred care, grounded in dignity and respect. They outline what good care looks like, providing a benchmark for aged care providers to meet – and exceed.
Following the recommendations of the 2021 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Australian Government reviewed the existing standards to address critical gaps in care delivery. By incorporating key areas such as dementia care, diversity, governance, and more, the strengthened standards aim to protect and enhance the safety, wellbeing, and quality of life of aged care consumers, making sure the sector evolves to meet contemporary needs. These updates reflect a commitment to fostering better care for Australia's ageing population – a commitment that Kineo Courses shares.
What’s changed in Australia’s Aged Care Quality Standards?
The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards establish clear expectations for aged care providers to help ensure they deliver safe, high-quality, and person-centred care. Streamlined from eight to seven standards, they’ve been enhanced with new and clarified requirements that reflect the voices and lived experiences of our older Australians. These updates emphasise dignity, respect, and inclusivity while addressing evolving care needs.
Each standard now includes:
- an intent statement, highlighting its purpose and providing context
- an expectation statement, detailing what older people can expect
- an outcome statement – enforceable by law – along with actions that outline how providers can meet those outcomes.
What’s more, the updated standards place a stronger focus on the diversity of older people, including those living with dementia, making sure care is tailored and inclusive.
Two other key additions likewise stand out: Clinical care now has a dedicated standard, addressing areas such as medication management and palliative care. Food and nutrition also receives its own standard, aiming to improve meal quality, variety, and the overall dining experience for those in residential care.
Ultimately, these updates aim to uphold the rights and wellbeing of every individual in aged care.
Preparing for the future of aged care
With the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards set to take effect, it’s crucial for aged care providers to familiarise themselves, their teams, and their organisations with these big changes. The new standards not only redefine expectations, but also introduce graded assessments that will measure providers against outcomes, pushing for excellence in service delivery.
Training will be key in bringing aged care teams up to speed, ensuring compliance, and embedding the principles of person-centred care, diversity, and clinical excellence into everyday practice.
At Kineo, we have long understood the power of education to transform the care experience. Our updated aged care courses aim to equip your team with the practical skills they need, strengthen your organisation’s compliance, and help create better outcomes for both staff and residents.
Explore our aged care courses today to stay ahead of the curve: https://www.kineocourses.com.au/course-category/health-disability-and-aged-care-courses
Or speak to one of our Solutions Consultants more more detail: https://www.kineocourses.com.au/contact
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