Sector News

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) has developed guidance and resources for the clinical care components of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. Latest resources include:

• Updated national Falls Guidelines to support the reduction of falls and harm from falls
• Clinical Care Standards adapted for the aged care context including psychotropic medicines in cognitive disability or impairment and antimicrobial stewardship
• Case studies highlighting examples of: High-quality Aged Care for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Safe and Appropriate use of Psychotropic Medicines for residential and in-home care
• For providers of the Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) Program, the Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module (IHACS Module) enables a streamlined assessment process against both the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards and the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.

Note: The IHACS Module replaces the MPS Aged Care Module from 1 November 2025 in line with the implementation of the new Aged Care Act 2024.

Explore all of the Commission’s resources on aged care: safetyandquality.gov.au/AgedCare

The National Aged Care Data Asset (NACDA) brings together de-identified person-level data collected across aged care, health and community service settings for aged care research purposes. Aged care data available in the NACDA consists of over 60 tables covering key Australian government-funded aged care programs and assessments. This includes home support, home care, residential care, flexible care and aged care eligibility assessments, with some data sources spanning 25 years.

The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) is consulting about the development of their in-home aged care pricing advice. Feedback will inform the pricing advice IHACPA provides to the Australian Government meets the needs of older people and the in-home aged care sector. Submissions are open until 5pm AEST Friday 18 July 2025.

The Australian Government has announced that the implementation of the new Aged Care Act 2024 and the Support at Home program will be deferred from 1 July to 1 November 2025. This delay aims to provide aged care providers with additional time to prepare their clients, support their workers, and ready their systems for the upcoming changes.  

A new report commissioned by Advance Care Planning Australia reveals that only 33% of Australian adults have engaged in any form of advance care planning, with just 6% completing a formal Advance Care Directive. Although most people recognise the benefits of planning ahead, awareness remains low and common barriers include uncertainty about how to begin, perceived irrelevance for younger individuals, and the emotional discomfort of discussing end-of-life care.

The Commission has published a fact sheet about providers’ responsibilities when older people in their care ask for support with voluntary assisted dying.