Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia)
The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia), in force from 1 November 2025 under the Aged Care Act 2024 and set out in Chapter 1 Part 6 of the Aged Care Rules 2025: seven Standards (the individual, the organisation, care and services, the environment, clinical care, food and nutrition, the residential community), 36 outcomes and 66 legal obligations for registered aged care providers. They replace the 2019 Standards.
Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia) is a compliance framework from Australia with 7 domains and 66 controls that map to 3 other frameworks. The largest domains are Standard 2 - The organisation (17 controls), Standard 5 - Clinical care (17 controls), Standard 1 - The individual (10 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.
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Framework Domains (7)
Standard 1 - The individual
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ACQS25-1.1 | 15-10(1) Safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life as the primary consideration |
| ACQS25-1.10 | 15-10(10) Informed decisions about agreements, fees and invoices |
| ACQS25-1.2 | 15-10(2) Understanding and valuing each individual |
| ACQS25-1.3 | 15-10(3) Services developed with, and tailored to, individuals |
| ACQS25-1.4 | 15-10(4) Services free from discrimination, abuse and neglect, with dignity, respect and privacy |
| ACQS25-1.5 | 15-10(5) Understanding the Statement of Rights and acting compatibly with it |
| ACQS25-1.6 | 15-10(6) Choice and decision-making, with support when wanted or needed |
| ACQS25-1.7 | 15-10(7) Timely, accurate, tailored and sufficient information |
| ACQS25-1.8 | 15-10(8) Support for dignity of risk |
| ACQS25-1.9 | 15-10(9) Autonomy, time and advice before any agreement |
Standard 2 - The organisation
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ACQS25-2.1 | 15-15(1) Partnering with individuals on priorities and improvement |
| ACQS25-2.10 | 15-15(10) Individuals and others encouraged to complain without reprisal |
| ACQS25-2.11 | 15-15(11) Transparent complaint handling that feeds improvement |
| ACQS25-2.12 | 15-15(12) Accurate, current and accessible records about the individual |
| ACQS25-2.13 | 15-15(13) Confidential information managed in line with consent |
| ACQS25-2.14 | 15-15(14) Understanding and planning workforce needs |
| ACQS25-2.15 | 15-15(15) Skilled, qualified and experienced workers |
| ACQS25-2.16 | 15-15(16) Training and supervision for workers |
| ACQS25-2.17 | 15-15(17) Emergency and disaster planning that manages risks to people |
| ACQS25-2.2 | 15-15(2) Governing body leads a culture that supports workers |
| ACQS25-2.3 | 15-15(3) Governing body leads a culture that supports individuals |
| ACQS25-2.4 | 15-15(4) Governing body accountability and oversight of all operations |
| ACQS25-2.5 | 15-15(5) Quality system that drives continuous improvement |
| ACQS25-2.6 | 15-15(6) Current policies and procedures that workers follow |
| ACQS25-2.7 | 15-15(7) Risk management system for individuals, workers and operations |
| ACQS25-2.8 | 15-15(8) Incident management system that safeguards and learns |
| ACQS25-2.9 | 15-15(9) Workers encouraged to complain and give feedback without reprisal |
Standard 3 - The care and services
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ACQS25-3.1 | 15-20(1) Engaging individuals and others in developing and reviewing plans |
| ACQS25-3.2 | 15-20(2) Plan content: needs, goals, preferences, risk and prevention |
| ACQS25-3.3 | 15-20(3) Regular review of plans and their use by workers |
| ACQS25-3.4 | 15-20(4) Quality services meeting needs and optimising quality of life |
| ACQS25-3.5 | 15-20(5) Culturally safe and appropriate delivery |
| ACQS25-3.6 | 15-20(6) Effective communication of critical information |
| ACQS25-3.7 | 15-20(7) Escalation of risk, change and deterioration |
| ACQS25-3.8 | 15-20(8) Planned and coordinated services across providers and supporters |
Standard 4 - The environment
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ACQS25-4.1 | 15-25(1) Supporting individuals to mitigate environmental risks at home |
| ACQS25-4.2 | 15-25(2) Clean, safe and comfortable service environment |
| ACQS25-4.3 | 15-25(3) Safe equipment that meets individuals' needs |
| ACQS25-4.4 | 15-25(4) Appropriate infection prevention and control system |
| ACQS25-4.5 | 15-25(5) Hygienic practice and IPC precautions by workers |
Standard 5 - Clinical care
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ACQS25-5.1 | 15-30(1) Governing body improves clinical safety and quality |
| ACQS25-5.10 | 15-30(10) Systems for coordinated, multidisciplinary clinical care |
| ACQS25-5.11 | 15-30(11) Early identification of and response to changing clinical needs |
| ACQS25-5.12 | 15-30(12) Managing high impact and high prevalence clinical risks |
| ACQS25-5.13 | 15-30(13) Comprehensive services for people with cognitive impairment |
| ACQS25-5.14 | 15-30(14) Identifying situations that may change behaviour |
| ACQS25-5.15 | 15-30(15) Needs, goals and preferences for palliative and end-of-life care, with dignity |
| ACQS25-5.16 | 15-30(16) Active pain and symptom management with specialist access |
| ACQS25-5.17 | 15-30(17) Supporters informed and supported, including in the last days |
| ACQS25-5.2 | 15-30(2) Clinical governance integrated into corporate governance |
| ACQS25-5.3 | 15-30(3) Appropriate use of antimicrobials |
| ACQS25-5.4 | 15-30(4) Infection risks minimised and controlled in clinical care |
| ACQS25-5.5 | 15-30(5) Medicines used to maximise benefit and minimise harm |
| ACQS25-5.6 | 15-30(6) Prescription before administration and safe administration by practitioners |
| ACQS25-5.7 | 15-30(7) Medicine-related adverse events monitored, reported and used |
| ACQS25-5.8 | 15-30(8) Comprehensive, evidence-based clinical care by qualified practitioners |
| ACQS25-5.9 | 15-30(9) Clinical care spanning assessment to review |
Standard 6 - Food and nutrition
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ACQS25-6.1 | 15-35(1) Partnering with individuals on a quality food and drinks service |
| ACQS25-6.2 | 15-35(2) Understanding and assessing nutritional needs and preferences |
| ACQS25-6.3 | 15-35(3) Nutritious, appetising food with variation and choice |
| ACQS25-6.4 | 15-35(4) Support to eat and drink |
| ACQS25-6.5 | 15-35(5) Dining experience that supports social engagement and quality of life |
Standard 7 - The residential community
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ACQS25-7.1 | 15-40(1) Services that optimise quality of life and enable individuals to do what they want |
| ACQS25-7.2 | 15-40(2) Individuals feel safe in their residential care home |
| ACQS25-7.3 | 15-40(3) Well-coordinated transitions to or from a provider |
| ACQS25-7.4 | 15-40(4) Clear responsibility and accountability across workers and organisations |
Your Compliance Coverage
If you comply with Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia), you already cover:
Maps to 3 other frameworks
Coverage is not the same as your position
This page shows what Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia) overlaps with in general. Where your organisation actually stands, against the standard you are going for and the certifications you already hold, is a different question. Same graph and the same recorded refutations, scoped to you rather than to a pair.
The Compliance Position Diagnostic, $5,000 fixed, ten business daysWhat is Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia) and who does it apply to?
Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia) is a compliance framework from Australia with 7 domains and 66 controls. The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia), in force from 1 November 2025 under the Aged Care Act 2024 and set out in Chapter 1 Part 6 of the Aged Care Rules 2025: seven Standards (the individual, the organisation, care and services, the environment, clinical care, food and nutrition, the residential community), 36 outcomes and 66 legal obligations for registered aged care providers. They replace the 2019 Standards. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
What does Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia) actually require?
Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia) has 66 controls organised across 7 domains. The largest domains are Standard 2 - The organisation (17 controls), Standard 5 - Clinical care (17 controls), Standard 1 - The individual (10 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
If I already comply with another framework, how much of Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia) do I already cover?
Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia) maps to 3 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are Aged Care Quality Standards 2019 (repealed edition) (61% coverage), Aged Care Act 2024 (Australia) (44% coverage), Australia NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators (30% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.
How do I implement Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia)?
Start your Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia) compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about Aged Care Quality Standards (Australia) requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 66 controls and track your progress.
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