Implementing the Strengthened Aged Care Standards

The Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards are slated for release on July 1 2024, when the passing of the new Aged Care Act occurs. All Australian Aged Care providers will be impacted. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has set a clear expectation that compliance is expected from day one. Auditors will want to see strong evidence that implementation work is well underway. Training will be seen as one example of progress a provider can make towards full implementation of the Standards.

Defining High-Quality Care

Additionally, the new Aged Care Act will include a clear definition of ‘high-quality care’. This inclusion reinforces that it is no longer acceptable for registered aged care providers to just focus on meeting the minimum standards. The new legislation mandates registered providers to demonstrate their capacity and commitment to continuous improvement for the provision of high-quality care. There is no place for substandard or low-quality care.

We are committed to supporting aged care providers to ensure high-quality care moves from a regulatory requirement to a practical reality. We want to help providers not only meet but exceed the Standards.

Responding to the New Standards

Watch this video below to understand Ausmed's assessment of the educational implications of the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, including the impact of new Standards on L&D teams. Zoe Youl presents the results of Ausmed's gap analysis. She shares a simple, evidenced-based plan and process for L&D teams to start to understand and respond to the educational changes and identified training requirements.

References and Resources

1. The Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards – Final draft
2. Aged Care Quality Standards: Standard 5 – Clinical Care
3. Draft audit methodology
4. Draft evidence framework
5. Draft pre-audit preparation tool
6. Glossary
7. Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Final Report: Care, Dignity and Respect
8. Australian Government Response to the Final Report
9. Aged Care Bill 2023 Exposure draft
10. New Aged Care Act: Defining high-quality care
11. Supporting Sector Readiness for the New Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards (Webinar)

Author

Zoe Youl 

Zoe Youl has over ten years of experience at Ausmed. With expertise in Critical Care Nursing, Clinical Governance and Education, she has built an in-depth understanding of the educational and regulatory needs of the Australian healthcare sector.