The Code of Conduct for Aged Care
Published: 07 April 2024
Published: 07 April 2024
Every older adult deserves to receive safe and high-quality aged care - but sadly, this hasn’t always been the case in Australia (RCACQS 2021).
The Code of Conduct for Aged Care, which was introduced on 1 December 2022, has been implemented in response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, with the goal of improving the safety, wellbeing and quality of life of older adults receiving aged care (ACQSC 2022a).
The Code aims to achieve this by:
(ACQSC 2022b)
The Code comprises eight elements that set out:
(ACQSC 2022b)
The Code allows the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to take action against providers and/or individuals not complying with its requirements (ACQSC 2022a).
Standard 2: The Organisation - Outcome 2.9: Human resource management (Action 2.9.6) of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards requires aged care staff to receive regular competency-based training on the Code of Conduct (ACQSC 2024).
The Code applies to all:
(ACQSC 2022b, c)
The Code does not apply to:
(ACQSC 2022b, c)
Non-compliant providers may have action taken against them by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. These measures could include:
(ACQSC 2022a, b)
‘I must act with respect for people’s rights to freedom of expression, self-determination and decision-making in accordance with applicable laws and conventions.’
Element A upholds the right of consumers to live their lives how they want to, express themselves freely and exercise autonomy. This is underpinned by the principle of person-centred care.
Examples of how aged care workers can uphold Element A include:
(ACQSC 2022b, c)
‘I must act in a way that treats people with dignity and respect, and values their diversity.’
Element B requires aged care workers to recognise and respect consumers’ various life experiences. This includes understanding their social, cultural, language, religious, spiritual, psychological and medical needs. All consumers should be treated with dignity and respect, irrespective of these needs.
Examples of how aged care workers can uphold Element B include:
(ACQSC 2022b, c)
‘I must act with respect for the privacy of people’.
Element C protects consumers’ rights to privacy. This includes physical privacy - for example, by ensuring consumers are not subject to embarrassment or discomfort when receiving care - as well as the privacy of their personal and health information, such as documents containing sensitive information.
Examples of how aged care workers can uphold Element C include:
(ACQSC 2022c)
‘I must provide care, supports and services in a safe and competent manner, with care and skill.’
In order to prevent harm to consumers, care needs to be performed by the right people with the right qualifications and skills. As well as being performed competently, care must be delivered in a kind and empathetic manner.
Examples of how aged care workers can uphold Element D include:
(ACQSC 2022b, c)
‘I must act with integrity, honesty and transparency.’
Relationships of trust between aged care workers and consumers are built upon a foundation of integrity, honesty and transparency. This requires aged care workers to be honest in their interactions with consumers (e.g. by treating them fairly and not taking advantage of them) and honest about their qualifications, skills, experience and competencies.
Examples of how aged care workers can uphold Element E include:
(ACQSC 2022c)
‘I must promptly take steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that may impact the quality and safety of care, supports and services.’
Identifying and responding to concerns and risks early is crucial in preventing harm to consumers. Therefore, if you become aware of any issues that may affect the quality and safety of care, immediate action should be taken in line with your organisation’s policies and procedures. These concerns may arise through external complaints, internal reviews, continuous improvement, observations or other channels.
Examples of how aged care workers can uphold Element F include:
(ACQSC 2022c)
‘I must provide care, supports and services free from all forms of violence, discrimination, exploitation, neglect, abuse and sexual misconduct.’
Any kind of violence, discrimination, exploitation, neglect, abuse or sexual misconduct towards consumers is completely unacceptable. The relationship between consumers and aged care workers depends on trust, and therefore, you must always treat consumers with respect, kindness and dignity.
Examples of how aged care workers can uphold Element G include:
(ACQSC 2022b, c)
‘I must take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to all forms of violence, discrimination, exploitation, neglect, abuse and sexual misconduct.’
Element H states that if violence, discrimination, exploitation, neglect, abuse or sexual misconduct does occur, aged care workers must take all appropriate steps to protect the consumers’ safety, health and wellbeing.
Examples of how aged care workers can uphold Element H include:
(ACQSC 2022c)
Question 1 of 3
True or false: The Code of Conduct for Aged Care would apply to a gardener contracted by an aged care facility.