In March 2021, an urgent review of the Aged Care Quality Standards (Standards) commenced as a result of feedback received from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. As part of this review, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (Commission) released a detailed draft of the revised Standards and a consultation paper on 14 October 2022 which outlined the changes and their expected operation. These changes will affect how approved providers deliver care and services as well as the basis on which they will be assessed in an audit.

This article will provide a brief overview of the changes and outline some of the differences in the proposed new Standards, as well as the Commission’s reasons for the proposed changes.

What is Changing?

The proposed changes will reduce the number of Standards from eight to seven, and consolidate some areas covered by each of the Standards. There will be new expectation statements for each of the Standards which will replace the consumer outcome statements in the current Standards. These expectation statements will describe what an older person can expect from their provider in relation to each standard and are intended to give practical guidance to providers.

The proposed revised quality Standards will be:

• Standard 1: The Person
• Standard 2: The Organisation
• Standard 3: The Care and Services
• Standard 4: The Environment
• Standard 5: Clinical Care
• Standard 6: Food and Nutrition
• Standard 7: The Residential Community

It is anticipated that not all the new Standards will apply to all providers and that the application of some of the Standards would depend on the types of services delivered by the provider and the risks associated with them. For example, home care providers would not be required to comply with the Standards relating to residential aged care communities or clinical care if this is not provided. This is intended to bring the Aged Care Quality Standards in line with the NDIS Practice Standards regarding modularity and the use of outcomes and actions as a means of assessment.

Why Are the Standards Being Revised?

The Standards are being revised as a result of feedback from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The Royal Commission found that the existing Standards only set out minimum acceptable standards for accreditation and did not motivate and empower providers to achieve high quality care and outcomes for consumers. The Royal Commission identified several areas for improvement in relation to the Standards, including:

• better reflecting the needs of people living with dementia and the provision of quality dementia care
• better recognising diversity and improving cultural safety
• strengthening governance and human resources requirements
• more descriptive requirements relating to food and nutrition
• more detailed requirements around clinical care.

What Does This Mean for Aged Care Providers?

While the requirements under the revised Standards are expected to be similar to the existing Standards, there may be some significant changes for providers of aged care. These include requirements for more robust governance and quality systems, as well as evidence-based practices and an increased focus on continuous improvement.

When Will The Changes Happen?

It is expected that there will be a transition period to allow providers to familiarise themselves with the new Standards and to implement any systems and practices to allow them to comply. Further consultation will commence in early 2023 on guidance material for providers and older people, as well as the implementation of the revised Standards and transition periods.

Additional Resources

• Review of the Aged Care Quality Standards
• Consultation Paper – Summary Aged Care Quality Standards Review