Quality of Care Principles 2014
made under section 96‑1 of the
Aged Care Act 1997
Compilation No. 7
Compilation date: 29 November 2019
Includes amendments up to: F2019L01505
Registered: 4 February 2020
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Quality of Care Principles 2014 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 29 November 2019 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
Part 1—Preliminary 1
1............ Name of principles........................................................................................................ 1
3............ Authority....................................................................................................................... 1
4............ Definitions..................................................................................................................... 1
4A......... Meaning of consumer................................................................................................... 2
5............ Meaning of representative............................................................................................. 2
Part 2—Residential care services 4
6............ Purpose of this Part....................................................................................................... 4
7............ Care and services that must be provided........................................................................ 4
8............ Influenza vaccination schemes for service staff............................................................. 5
Part 3—Home care services 6
12.......... Purpose of this Part....................................................................................................... 6
13.......... Care and services that may be provided......................................................................... 6
Part 4—Certain flexible care services 7
15A....... Purpose of this Part....................................................................................................... 7
15B....... Care and services that may be provided in a residential care setting.............................. 7
15BA.... Influenza vaccination schemes for service staff—care provided in a residential care setting 7
15C....... Care and services that may be provided in a home care setting...................................... 8
Part 4A—Physical or chemical restraint to be used only as a last resort 8
15D....... Purpose of this Part....................................................................................................... 8
15E........ State and Territory laws continue to apply..................................................................... 8
15F........ Physical restraint to be used only as a last resort........................................................... 8
15G....... Chemical restraint to be used only as a last resort.......................................................... 9
15H....... Review of this Part...................................................................................................... 10
15J........ Repeal of this Part and associated definitions on 1 July 2021..................................... 11
Part 5—Aged Care Quality Standards 12
16.......... Purpose of this Part..................................................................................................... 12
17.......... Aged Care Quality Standards...................................................................................... 12
18.......... Application of Aged Care Quality Standards.............................................................. 12
Schedule 1—Care and services for residential care services 13
Part 1—Hotel services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them 13
1............ Hotel services—for all care recipients who need them................................................ 13
Part 2—Care and services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them 15
2............ Care and services—for all care recipients who need them........................................... 15
Part 3—Care and services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them—fees may apply 17
3............ Care and services—for all care recipients who need them—fees may apply............... 17
Schedule 2—Aged Care Quality Standards 19
1............ Standard 1—consumer dignity and choice.................................................................. 19
2............ Standard 2—ongoing assessment and planning with consumers................................ 19
3............ Standard 3—personal care and clinical care................................................................. 20
4............ Standard 4—services and supports for daily living..................................................... 21
5............ Standard 5—organisation’s service environment........................................................ 22
6............ Standard 6—feedback and complaints......................................................................... 23
7............ Standard 7—human resources..................................................................................... 23
8............ Standard 8—organisational governance...................................................................... 24
Schedule 3—Care and services for home care services 25
Part 1—Care and services 25
1............ Care services............................................................................................................... 25
2............ Support services.......................................................................................................... 26
3............ Clinical services........................................................................................................... 27
Part 2—Excluded items 28
4............ Items that must not be included in package of care and services.................................. 28
Schedule 5—Care and services for short‑term restorative care 29
Part 1—Care and services that may be provided in a residential care setting 29
Division 1—Hotel services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them 29
1............ Hotel services—for all care recipients who need them................................................ 29
Division 2—Care and services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them 31
2............ Care and services—for all care recipients who need them........................................... 31
Division 3—Care and services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them—fees may apply 33
3............ Care and services—for all care recipients who need them—fees may apply............... 33
Part 2—Care and services that may be provided in a home care setting 35
Division 1—Care and services that may be provided 35
4............ Care services............................................................................................................... 35
5............ Support services.......................................................................................................... 36
6............ Clinical services........................................................................................................... 37
Division 2—Excluded care and services 38
7............ Items that must not be included in package of care and services.................................. 38
Endnotes 39
Endnote 1—About the endnotes 39
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key 40
Endnote 3—Legislation history 41
Endnote 4—Amendment history 42
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Name of principles
These principles are the Quality of Care Principles 2014.
3 Authority
These principles are made under section 96‑1 of the Aged Care Act 1997.
4 Definitions
Note: A number of expressions used in these principles are defined in the Act, including the following:
(a) classification level;
(b) continuing residential care recipient.
In these principles:
Act means the Aged Care Act 1997.
ADL domain has the meaning given by the Classification Principles 2014.
approved health practitioner means a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or registered nurse.
behaviour domain has the meaning given by the Classification Principles 2014.
CHC domain has the meaning given by the Classification Principles 2014.
chemical restraint means a restraint that is, or that involves, the use of medication or a chemical substance for the purpose of influencing a person’s behaviour, other than medication prescribed for the treatment of, or to enable treatment of, a diagnosed mental disorder, a physical illness or a physical condition.
consumer has the meaning given by section 4A.
domain has the meaning given by the Classification Principles 2014.
domain category has the meaning given by the Classification Principles 2014.
home care setting has the meaning given by section 4 of the Subsidy Principles 2014.
organisation means the approved provider of an aged care service.
physical restraint means any restraint other than:
(a) a chemical restraint; or
(b) the use of medication prescribed for the treatment of, or to enable treatment of, a diagnosed mental disorder, a physical illness or a physical condition.
representative, of a consumer, has the meaning given by section 5.
residential care setting has the meaning given by section 4 of the Subsidy Principles 2014.
restraint means any practice, device or action that interferes with a consumer’s ability to make a decision or restricts a consumer’s free movement.
service environment has the meaning given by subclause 5(4) of Schedule 2.
services and supports for daily living has the meaning given by subclause 4(4) of Schedule 2.
service staff, in relation to an aged care service, means staff (including volunteers) who access, or are reasonably likely to access, any premises where the operation or administration of the service occurs.
short‑term restorative care has the meaning given by section 4 of the Subsidy Principles 2014.
workforce, of an organisation that is the approved provider of an aged care service, means the service staff in relation to the aged care service.
4A Meaning of consumer
(1) Consumer means a person to whom an approved provider provides, or is to provide, care through an aged care service.
(2) A reference to a consumer in a provision of the Aged Care Quality Standards set out in Schedule 2 includes a reference to a representative of the consumer, so far as the provision is capable of applying to a representative of a consumer.
5 Meaning of representative
(1) Representative, of a consumer, means:
(a) a person nominated by the consumer as a person to be told about matters affecting the consumer; or
(b) a person:
(i) who nominates themselves as a person to be told about matters affecting a consumer; and
(ii) who the relevant organisation is satisfied has a connection with the consumer and is concerned for the safety, health and well‑being of the consumer.
(2) Without limiting subparagraph (1)(b)(ii), a person has a connection with a consumer if:
(a) the person is a partner, close relation or other relative of the consumer; or
(b) the person holds an enduring power of attorney given by the consumer; or
(c) the person has been appointed by a State or Territory guardianship board (however described) to deal with the consumer’s affairs; or
(d) the person represents the consumer in dealings with the organisation.
(3) Nothing in this section is intended to affect the powers of a substitute decision‑maker appointed for a person under a law of a State or Territory.
Part 2—Residential care services
6 Purpose of this Part
For subsection 54‑1(1) of the Act, this Part specifies:
(a) the care and services that an approved provider of a residential care service must provide; and
(b) other responsibilities of an approved provider of a residential care service in relation to the quality of the aged care that the approved provider provides.
7 Care and services that must be provided
(1) For paragraph 54‑1(1)(a) of the Act, an approved provider of a residential care service must, for each item in a table in Schedule 1, provide the care or service specified in column 1 of the item to any care recipient who needs it.
(2) The content of the care or service specified in column 1 of the item consists of the matter specified in column 2 of the item.
(3) The care or service must be provided by the approved provider in a way that complies with the Aged Care Quality Standards set out in Schedule 2.
(4) The maximum amount that the approved provider may charge a care recipient who is not a care recipient to whom subsection (6) applies, for the provision of care and services specified in Part 1 or 2 of Schedule 1, is:
(a) if the care recipient is a continuing residential care recipient—the amount permitted under Division 58 of the Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997; or
(b) in any other case—the amount permitted under Division 52C of the Act.
(5) The maximum amount that the approved provider may charge a care recipient to whom subsection (6) applies, for the provision of care and services specified in Part 1, 2 or 3 of Schedule 1, is:
(a) if the care recipient is a continuing residential care recipient—the amount permitted under Division 58 of the Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997; or
(b) in any other case—the amount permitted under Division 52C of the Act.
(6) This subsection applies to the following care recipients:
(a) a care recipient whose classification level includes any of the following:
(i) high ADL domain category;
(ii) high CHC domain category;
(iii) high behaviour domain category;
(iv) a medium domain category in at least 2 domains;
(b) a care recipient whose classification level is high level residential respite care;
(c) a care recipient for whom there is no classification and who is taken, under subsection 25‑1(4) of the Act, to be classified at the lowest applicable classification level under section 12 of the Classification Principles 2014;
(d) a continuing residential care recipient who on 19 March 2008 was receiving a high level of residential care (as defined in the Act on 19 March 2008);
(e) a care recipient who:
(i) on 31 December 2009, was receiving a high level of residential care (as defined in the Act on 31 December 2009); and
(ii) between 1 January 2010 and 30 June 2014, was not eligible to receive a high level of residential care solely because of the amendment to the meaning of high level of residential care in the Classification Principles 1997 that commenced on 1 January 2010; and
(iii) is being provided with residential care through the same residential care service from which he or she was receiving care on 31 December 2009.
8 Influenza vaccination schemes for service staff
An approved provider of a residential care service must:
(a) provide service staff with access to annual influenza vaccinations for free; and
(b) promote the benefits, for service staff and care recipients, of service staff receiving annual influenza vaccinations.
Part 3—Home care services
12 Purpose of this Part
For paragraph 54‑1(1)(a) of the Act, this Part specifies the care and services that an approved provider of a home care service may provide to a care recipient.
13 Care and services that may be provided
(1) An approved provider of a home care service must provide a package of care and services selected from the care and services specified in Part 1 of Schedule 3.
(2) The care recipient and the approved provider may agree to include, in the package of care and services, other care and services required to support the care recipient to live at home, provided that:
(a) the approved provider is able to provide the care and services within the limits of the resources available; and
(b) the item is not specified in Part 2 of Schedule 3 as an excluded item.
(3) The package of care and services may be used to support the use of telehealth and digital technology, such as remote monitoring, if this is agreed under subsection (2).
(4) The care and services must be consistent with the care and services plan documented for the care recipient in accordance with the Aged Care Quality Standards set out in Schedule 2.
Note: See Standard 2 (ongoing assessment and planning with consumers) set out in clause 2 of Schedule 2.
(5) The care and services must be provided by the approved provider in a way that complies with the Aged Care Quality Standards set out in Schedule 2.
Part 4—Certain flexible care services
15A Purpose of this Part
For the purposes of subsection 54‑1(1) of the Act, this Part specifies:
(a) the care and services that an approved provider of flexible care in the form of short‑term restorative care may provide to a care recipient; and
(b) other responsibilities of an approved provider of such flexible care in relation to the quality of the aged care that the approved provider provides.
15B Care and services that may be provided in a residential care setting
(1) This section applies in relation to an approved provider of flexible care in the form of short‑term restorative care if the care is provided in a residential care setting.
(2) The approved provider must, for each item in a table in Part 1 of Schedule 5, provide the care or service specified in column 1 of the item to any care recipient who needs it.
(3) The content of the care or service specified in column 1 of the item consists of the matter specified in column 2 of the item.
(4) The care and services must be consistent with the care and services plan documented for the care recipient in accordance with the Aged Care Quality Standards set out in Schedule 2.
Note: See Standard 2 (ongoing assessment and planning with consumers) set out in clause 2 of Schedule 2.
(5) The care and services must be provided by the approved provider in a way that complies with the Aged Care Quality Standards set out in Schedule 2.
15BA Influenza vaccination schemes for service staff—care provided in a residential care setting
(1) This section applies in relation to an approved provider of flexible care in the form of short‑term restorative care if the care is provided in a residential care setting.
(2) The approved provider must:
(a) provide service staff with access to annual influenza vaccinations for free; and
(b) promote the benefits, for service staff and care recipients, of service staff receiving annual influenza vaccinations.
15C Care and services that may be provided in a home care setting
(1) This section applies in relation to an approved provider of flexible care in the form of short‑term restorative care if the care is provided in a home care setting.
(2) The approved provider must provide a package of care and services selected from the care and services specified in Division 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 5.
(3) The package of care and services must not include an item specified in Division 2 of Part 2 of Schedule 5 as an excluded item.
(4) The care and services must be consistent with the care and services plan documented for the care recipient in accordance with the Aged Care Quality Standards set out in Schedule 2.
Note: See Standard 2 (ongoing assessment and planning with consumers) set out in clause 2 of Schedule 2.
(5) The care and services must be provided by the approved provider in a way that complies with the Aged Care Quality Standards set out in Schedule 2.
Part 4A—Physical or chemical restraint to be used only as a last resort
15D Purpose of this Part
For the purposes of paragraph 54‑1(1)(h) of the Act, this Part specifies other responsibilities of an approved provider in relation to the quality of the aged care the approved provider provides that is:
(a) residential care; or
(b) flexible care in the form of short‑term restorative care provided in a residential care setting.
15E State and Territory laws continue to apply
This Part does not affect the operation of any law of a State or Territory in relation to restraint.
15F Physical restraint to be used only as a last resort
(1) An approved provider must not use a physical restraint in relation to a consumer unless, in relation to that use of the restraint:
(a) an approved health practitioner who has day‑to‑day knowledge of the consumer has:
(i) assessed the consumer as posing a risk of harm to the consumer or any other person, and as requiring the restraint; and
(ii) documented the assessment, unless the use of the restraint is necessary in an emergency; and
(b) alternatives to restraint have been used for the consumer to the extent possible; and
(c) the alternatives to restraint that have been considered or used have been documented, unless the use of the restraint is necessary in an emergency; and
(d) the restraint is the least restrictive form of restraint possible; and
(e) the approved provider has the informed consent of the consumer or the consumer’s representative to the use of the restraint, unless the use of the restraint is necessary in an emergency.
(2) If an approved provider uses a physical restraint in relation to a consumer, the approved provider must:
(a) if the restraint is used in an emergency—document the matters mentioned in subparagraph (1)(a)(ii) and paragraph (1)(c) as soon as practicable after the restraint starts to be used; and
(b) if the restraint is used without the consent mentioned in paragraph (1)(e)—inform the consumer’s representative as soon as practicable after the restraint starts to be used; and
(c) ensure the care and services plan documented for the consumer in accordance with the Aged Care Quality Standards set out in Schedule 2 identifies the following:
(i) the consumer’s behaviours that are relevant to the need for the restraint;
(ii) the alternatives to restraint that have been used (if any);
(iii) the reasons the restraint is necessary;
(iv) the care to be provided to the consumer in relation to the consumer’s behaviour; and
(d) use the restraint for the minimum time necessary; and
(e) while the consumer is subject to the restraint:
(i) regularly monitor the consumer for signs of distress or harm; and
(ii) regularly monitor and review the necessity for the restraint.
15G Chemical restraint to be used only as a last resort
(1) An approved provider must not use a chemical restraint in relation to a consumer unless:
(a) a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner has assessed the consumer as requiring the restraint and has prescribed the medication the use of which is, or is involved in, the restraint; and
(b) the practitioner’s decision to use the restraint has been recorded in the care and services plan documented for the consumer in accordance with the Aged Care Quality Standards set out in Schedule 2; and
(c) the consumer’s representative is informed before the restraint is used if it is practicable to do so.
Note 1: Codes of appropriate professional practice for medical practitioners and nurse practitioners provide for the practitioners to obtain informed consent before prescribing medications. Those codes are approved under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and are:
(a) for medical practitioners—Good medical practice: a code of conduct for doctors in Australia (which in 2019 could be viewed on the website of the Medical Board of Australia (https://www.medicalboard.gov.au)); and
(b) for nurse practitioners—Code of conduct for nurses (which in 2019 could be viewed on the website of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au)).
Note 2: State and Territory legislation deals with who can consent to the prescribing of medication for a consumer who cannot consent because of any physical or mental incapacity.
(2) If an approved provider uses a chemical restraint in relation to a consumer, the approved provider must:
(a) if the consumer’s representative has not been informed of the use of the restraint—inform the consumer’s representative as soon as practicable after the restraint starts to be used; and
(b) ensure the care and services plan documented for the consumer in accordance with the Aged Care Quality Standards set out in Schedule 2 identifies the following:
(i) the consumer’s behaviours that are relevant to the need for the restraint;
(ii) the alternatives to restraint that have been used (if any);
(iii) the reasons the restraint is necessary (if known by the approved provider);
(iv) the information (if any) provided to the practitioner that informed the decision to prescribe the medication; and
(c) while the consumer is subject to the restraint—regularly monitor the consumer for signs of distress or harm and provide information to the practitioner regarding use of the restraint.
15H Review of this Part
(1) The Minister must ensure that there is a review of the operation of this Part (except this section).
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the review must consider the effectiveness of this Part in minimising the use of physical restraints and chemical restraints by approved providers in relation to consumers in the period 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.
(3) The review must make provision for consultation.
(4) The review must be completed by 31 December 2020.
(5) The Minister must ensure that a written report of the review is prepared.
(6) The Minister must ensure that a copy of the report is:
(a) published on the internet; and
(b) tabled in each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the report is given to the Minister.
15J Repeal of this Part and associated definitions on 1 July 2021
(1) This Part is repealed at the start of 1 July 2021.
(2) The following definitions in section 4 are repealed at the start of 1 July 2021:
(a) approved health practitioner;
(b) chemical restraint;
(c) physical restraint;
(d) restraint.
Part 5—Aged Care Quality Standards
16 Purpose of this Part
For the purposes of section 54‑2 of the Act, this Part provides for Aged Care Quality Standards. Aged Care Quality Standards are standards for quality of care and quality of life for the provision of aged care.
17 Aged Care Quality Standards
(1) Schedule 2 sets out the Aged Care Quality Standards.
(2) Each standard deals with a particular matter, and consists of the following:
(a) a consumer outcome for the matter;
(b) an organisation statement for the matter;
(c) requirements for the matter.
18 Application of Aged Care Quality Standards
(1) The Aged Care Quality Standards apply to the following:
(a) residential care;
(b) home care;
(c) flexible care in the form of short‑term restorative care.
(2) The Aged Care Quality Standards apply equally for the benefit of each care recipient being provided with care mentioned in subsection (1) through an aged care service, irrespective of the care recipient’s financial status, applicable fees and charges, amount of subsidy payable, agreements entered into, or any other matter.
Schedule 1—Care and services for residential care services
Note 1: See section 7.
Note 2: The care and services specified in this Schedule must be provided in a way that complies with the Aged Care Quality Standards set out in Schedule 2 (see subsection 7(3)).
Part 1—Hotel services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them
1 Hotel services—for all care recipients who need them
The following table specifies the hotel services that must be provided for all care recipients who need them.
| Hotel services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them |
| Item | Column 1
Service | Column 2
Content |
| 1.1 | Administration | General operation of the residential care service, including documentation relating to care recipients. |
| 1.2 | Maintenance of buildings and grounds | Adequately maintained buildings and grounds. |
| 1.3 | Accommodation | Utilities such as electricity and water. |
| 1.4 | Furnishings | Bedside lockers, chairs with arms, containers for personal laundry, dining, lounge and recreational furnishings, draw‑screens (for shared rooms), wardrobe space and towel rails. Excludes furnishings a care recipient chooses to provide. |
| 1.5 | Bedding | Beds and mattresses, bed linen, blankets, and absorbent or waterproof sheeting. |
| 1.6 | Cleaning services, goods and facilities | Cleanliness and tidiness of the entire residential care service. Excludes a care recipient’s personal area if the care recipient chooses and is able to maintain this himself or herself. |
| 1.7 | Waste disposal | Safe disposal of organic and inorganic waste material. |
| 1.8 | General laundry | Heavy laundry facilities and services, and personal laundry services, including laundering of clothing that can be machine washed. Excludes cleaning of clothing requiring dry cleaning or another special cleaning process, and personal laundry if a care recipient chooses and is able to do this himself or herself. |
| 1.9 | Toiletry goods | Bath towels, face washers, soap, toilet paper, tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, denture cleaning preparations, mouthwashes, moisturiser, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, disposable razors and deodorant. |
| 1.10 | Meals and refreshments | (a) Meals of adequate variety, quality and quantity for each care recipient, served each day at times generally acceptable to both care recipients and management, and generally consisting of 3 meals per day plus morning tea, afternoon tea and supper; (b) Special dietary requirements, having regard to either medical need or religious or cultural observance; (c) Food, including fruit of adequate variety, quality and quantity, and non‑alcoholic beverages, including fruit juice. |
| 1.11 | Care recipient social activities | Programs to encourage care recipients to take part in social activities that promote and protect their dignity, and to take part in community life outside the residential care service. |
| 1.12 | Emergency assistance | At least one responsible person is continuously on call and in reasonable proximity to render emergency assistance. |
Part 2—Care and services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them
2 Care and services—for all care recipients who need them
The following table specifies the care and services that must be provided for all care recipients who need them.
| Care and services——to be provided for all care recipients who need them |
| Item | Column 1
Care or service | Column 2
Content |
| 2.1 | Daily living activities assistance | Personal assistance, including individual attention, individual supervision, and physical assistance, with the following: (a) bathing, showering, personal hygiene and grooming; (b) maintaining continence or managing incontinence, and using aids and appliances designed to assist continence management; (c) eating and eating aids, and using eating utensils and eating aids (including actual feeding if necessary); (d) dressing, undressing, and using dressing aids; (e) moving, walking, wheelchair use, and using devices and appliances designed to aid mobility, including the fitting of artificial limbs and other personal mobility aids; (f) communication, including to address difficulties arising from impaired hearing, sight or speech, or lack of common language (including fitting sensory communication aids), and checking hearing aid batteries and cleaning spectacles. Excludes hairdressing. |
| 2.2 | Meals and refreshments | Special diet not normally provided. |
| 2.3 | Emotional support | Emotional support to, and supervision of, care recipients. |
| 2.4 | Treatments and procedures | Treatments and procedures that are carried out according to the instructions of a health professional or a person responsible for assessing a care recipient’s personal care needs, including supervision and physical assistance with taking medications, and ordering and reordering medications, subject to requirements of State or Territory law. Includes bandages, dressings, swabs and saline. |
| 2.5 | Recreational therapy | Recreational activities suited to care recipients, participation in the activities, and communal recreational equipment. |
| 2.6 | Rehabilitation support | Individual therapy programs designed by health professionals that are aimed at maintaining or restoring a care recipient’s ability to perform daily tasks for himself or herself, or assisting care recipients to obtain access to such programs. |
| 2.7 | Assistance in obtaining health practitioner services | Arrangements for aural, community health, dental, medical, psychiatric and other health practitioners to visit care recipients, whether the arrangements are made by care recipients, relatives or other persons representing the interests of care recipients, or are made direct with a health practitioner. |
| 2.8 | Assistance in obtaining access to specialised therapy services | Making arrangements for speech therapists, podiatrists, occupational or physiotherapy practitioners to visit care recipients, whether the arrangements are made by care recipients, relatives or other persons representing the interests of care recipients. |
| 2.9 | Support for care recipients with cognitive impairment | Individual attention and support to care recipients with cognitive impairment (for example, dementia and behavioural disorders), including individual therapy activities and specific programs designed and carried out to prevent or manage a particular condition or behaviour and to enhance the quality of life and care for such care recipients and ongoing support (including specific encouragement) to motivate or enable such care recipients to take part in general activities of the residential care service. |
Part 3—Care and services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them—fees may apply
3 Care and services—for all care recipients who need them—fees may apply
The following table specifies the care and services that must be provided for all care recipients who need them.
Note: A care recipient to whom subsection 7(6) applies must not be charged an additional fee for the provision of care or services specified in the following table (see subsection 7(5)).
| Care and services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them |
| Item | Column 1
Care or service | Column 2
Content |
| 3.1 | Furnishings | Over‑bed tables. |
| 3.2 | Bedding materials | Bed rails, incontinence sheets, ripple mattresses, sheepskins, tri‑pillows, and water and air mattresses appropriate to each care recipient’s condition. |
| 3.4 | Goods to assist care recipients to move themselves | Crutches, quadruped walkers, walking frames, walking sticks, and wheelchairs. Excludes motorised wheelchairs and custom made aids. |
| 3.5 | Goods to assist staff to move care recipients | Mechanical devices for lifting care recipients, stretchers, and trolleys. |
| 3.6 | Goods to assist with toileting and incontinence management | Absorbent aids, commode chairs, disposable bed pans and urinal covers, disposable pads, over‑toilet chairs, shower chairs and urodomes, catheter and urinary drainage appliances, and disposable enemas. |
| 3.8 | Nursing services | Initial assessment and care planning carried out by a nurse practitioner or registered nurse, and ongoing management and evaluation carried out by a nurse practitioner, registered nurse or enrolled nurse acting within their scope of practice. Nursing services carried out by a nurse practitioner, registered nurse or enrolled nurse, or other professional appropriate to the service (for example, medical practitioner, stoma therapist, speech pathologist, physiotherapist or qualified practitioner from a palliative care team), acting within their scope of practice. Services may include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) establishment and supervision of a complex pain management or palliative care program, including monitoring and managing any side effects; (b) insertion, care and maintenance of tubes, including intravenous and naso‑gastric tubes; (c) establishing and reviewing a catheter care program, including the insertion, removal and replacement of catheters; (d) establishing and reviewing a stoma care program; (e) complex wound management; (f) insertion of suppositories; (g) risk management procedures relating to acute or chronic infectious conditions; (h) special feeding for care recipients with dysphagia (difficulty with swallowing); (i) suctioning of airways; (j) tracheostomy care; (k) enema administration; (l) oxygen therapy requiring ongoing supervision because of a care recipient’s variable need; (m) dialysis treatment. |
| 3.11 | Therapy services, such as, recreational, speech therapy, podiatry, occupational, and physiotherapy services | (a) Maintenance therapy delivered by health professionals, or care staff as directed by health professionals, designed to maintain care recipients’ levels of independence in activities of daily living; (b) More intensive therapy delivered by health professionals, or care staff as directed by health professionals, on a temporary basis that is designed to allow care recipients to reach a level of independence at which maintenance therapy will meet their needs. Excludes intensive, long‑term rehabilitation services required following, for example, serious illness or injury, surgery or trauma. |
Schedule 2—Aged Care Quality Standards
Note: See section 17.
1 Standard 1—consumer dignity and choice
Consumer outcome
(1) I am treated with dignity and respect, and can maintain my identity. I can make informed choices about my care and services, and live the life I choose.
Organisation statement
(2) The organisation:
(a) has a culture of inclusion and respect for consumers; and
(b) supports consumers to exercise choice and independence; and
(c) respects consumers’ privacy.
Requirements
(3) The organisation demonstrates the following:
(a) each consumer is treated with dignity and respect, with their identity, culture and diversity valued;
(b) care and services are culturally safe;
(c) each consumer is supported to exercise choice and independence, including to:
(i) make decisions about their own care and the way care and services are delivered; and
(ii) make decisions about when family, friends, carers or others should be involved in their care; and
(iii) communicate their decisions; and
(iv) make connections with others and maintain relationships of choice, including intimate relationships;
(d) each consumer is supported to take risks to enable them to live the best life they can;
(e) information provided to each consumer is current, accurate and timely, and communicated in a way that is clear, easy to understand and enables them to exercise choice;
(f) each consumer’s privacy is respected and personal information is kept confidential.
2 Standard 2—ongoing assessment and planning with consumers
Consumer outcome
(1) I am a partner in ongoing assessment and planning that helps me get the care and services I need for my health and well‑being.
Organisation statement
(2) The organisation undertakes initial and ongoing assessment and planning for care and services in partnership with the consumer. Assessment and planning has a focus on optimising health and well‑being in accordance with the consumer’s needs, goals and preferences.
Requirements
(3) The organisation demonstrates the following:
(a) assessment and planning, including consideration of risks to the consumer’s health and well‑being, informs the delivery of safe and effective care and services;
(b) assessment and planning identifies and addresses the consumer’s current needs, goals and preferences, including advance care planning and end of life planning if the consumer wishes;
(c) assessment and planning:
(i) is based on ongoing partnership with the consumer and others that the consumer wishes to involve in assessment, planning and review of the consumer’s care and services; and
(ii) includes other organisations, and individuals and providers of other care and services, that are involved in the care of the consumer;
(d) the outcomes of assessment and planning are effectively communicated to the consumer and documented in a care and services plan that is readily available to the consumer, and where care and services are provided;
(e) care and services are reviewed regularly for effectiveness, and when circumstances change or when incidents impact on the needs, goals or preferences of the consumer.
3 Standard 3—personal care and clinical care
Consumer outcome
(1) I get personal care, clinical care, or both personal care and clinical care, that is safe and right for me.
Organisation statement
(2) The organisation delivers safe and effective personal care, clinical care, or both personal care and clinical care, in accordance with the consumer’s needs, goals and preferences to optimise health and well‑being.
Requirements
(3) The organisation demonstrates the following:
(a) each consumer gets safe and effective personal care, clinical care, or both personal care and clinical care, that:
(i) is best practice; and
(ii) is tailored to their needs; and
(iii) optimises their health and well‑being;
(b) effective management of high‑impact or high‑prevalence risks associated with the care of each consumer;
(c) the needs, goals and preferences of consumers nearing the end of life are recognised and addressed, their comfort maximised and their dignity preserved;
(d) deterioration or change of a consumer’s mental health, cognitive or physical function, capacity or condition is recognised and responded to in a timely manner;
(e) information about the consumer’s condition, needs and preferences is documented and communicated within the organisation, and with others where responsibility for care is shared;
(f) timely and appropriate referrals to individuals, other organisations and providers of other care and services;
(g) minimisation of infection‑related risks through implementing:
(i) standard and transmission‑based precautions to prevent and control infection; and
(ii) practices to promote appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use to support optimal care and reduce the risk of increasing resistance to antibiotics.
4 Standard 4—services and supports for daily living
Consumer outcome
(1) I get the services and supports for daily living that are important for my health and well‑being and that enable me to do the things I want to do.
Organisation statement
(2) The organisation provides safe and effective services and supports for daily living that optimise the consumer’s independence, health, well‑being and quality of life.
Requirements
(3) The organisation demonstrates the following:
(a) each consumer gets safe and effective services and supports for daily living that meet the consumer’s needs, goals and preferences and optimise their independence, health, well‑being and quality of life;
(b) services and supports for daily living promote each consumer’s emotional, spiritual and psychological well‑being;
(c) services and supports for daily living assist each consumer to:
(i) participate in their community within and outside the organisation’s service environment; and
(ii) have social and personal relationships; and
(iii) do the things of interest to them;
(d) information about the consumer’s condition, needs and preferences is communicated within the organisation, and with others where responsibility for care is shared;
(e) timely and appropriate referrals to individuals, other organisations and providers of other care and services;
(f) where meals are provided, they are varied and of suitable quality and quantity;
(g) where equipment is provided, it is safe, suitable, clean and well maintained.
Meaning of services and supports for daily living
(4) Services and supports for daily living include, but are not limited to, food services, domestic assistance, home maintenance, transport and recreational and social activities.
5 Standard 5—organisation’s service environment
Consumer outcome
(1) I feel I belong and I am safe and comfortable in the organisation’s service environment.
Organisation statement
(2) The organisation provides a safe and comfortable service environment that promotes the consumer’s independence, function and enjoyment.
Requirements
(3) The organisation demonstrates the following:
(a) the service environment is welcoming and easy to understand, and optimises each consumer’s sense of belonging, independence, interaction and function;
(b) the service environment:
(i) is safe, clean, well maintained and comfortable; and
(ii) enables consumers to move freely, both indoors and outdoors;
(c) furniture, fittings and equipment are safe, clean, well maintained and suitable for the consumer.
Meaning of service environment
(4) An organisation’s service environment means the physical environment through which care and services are delivered, but does not include an individual’s privately owned or occupied home at which in‑home services are provided.
6 Standard 6—feedback and complaints
Consumer outcome
(1) I feel safe and am encouraged and supported to give feedback and make complaints. I am engaged in processes to address my feedback and complaints, and appropriate action is taken.
Organisation statement
(2) The organisation regularly seeks input and feedback from consumers, carers, the workforce and others and uses the input and feedback to inform continuous improvements for individual consumers and the whole organisation.
Requirements
(3) The organisation demonstrates the following:
(a) consumers, their family, friends, carers and others are encouraged and supported to provide feedback and make complaints;
(b) consumers are made aware of and have access to advocates, language services and other methods for raising and resolving complaints;
(c) appropriate action is taken in response to complaints and an open disclosure process is used when things go wrong;
(d) feedback and complaints are reviewed and used to improve the quality of care and services.
7 Standard 7—human resources
Consumer outcome
(1) I get quality care and services when I need them from people who are knowledgeable, capable and caring.
Organisation statement
(2) The organisation has a workforce that is sufficient, and is skilled and qualified, to provide safe, respectful and quality care and services.
Requirements
(3) The organisation demonstrates the following:
(a) the workforce is planned to enable, and the number and mix of members of the workforce deployed enables, the delivery and management of safe and quality care and services;
(b) workforce interactions with consumers are kind, caring and respectful of each consumer’s identity, culture and diversity;
(c) the workforce is competent and the members of the workforce have the qualifications and knowledge to effectively perform their roles;
(d) the workforce is recruited, trained, equipped and supported to deliver the outcomes required by these standards;
(e) regular assessment, monitoring and review of the performance of each member of the workforce.
8 Standard 8—organisational governance
Consumer outcome
(1) I am confident the organisation is well run. I can partner in improving the delivery of care and services.
Organisation statement
(2) The organisation’s governing body is accountable for the delivery of safe and quality care and services.
Requirements
(3) The organisation demonstrates the following:
(a) consumers are engaged in the development, delivery and evaluation of care and services and are supported in that engagement;
(b) the organisation’s governing body promotes a culture of safe, inclusive and quality care and services and is accountable for their delivery;
(c) effective organisation wide governance systems relating to the following:
(i) information management;
(ii) continuous improvement;
(iii) financial governance;
(iv) workforce governance, including the assignment of clear responsibilities and accountabilities;
(v) regulatory compliance;
(vi) feedback and complaints;
(d) effective risk management systems and practices, including but not limited to the following:
(i) managing high impact or high prevalence risks associated with the care of consumers;
(ii) identifying and responding to abuse and neglect of consumers;
(iii) supporting consumers to live the best life they can;
(e) where clinical care is provided—a clinical governance framework, including but not limited to the following:
(i) antimicrobial stewardship;
(ii) minimising the use of restraint;
(iii) open disclosure.
Schedule 3—Care and services for home care services
Note 1: See section 13.
Note 2: The care and services specified in this Schedule must be provided in a way that complies with the Aged Care Quality Standards set out in Schedule 2 (see subsection 13(5)).
Part 1—Care and services
1 Care services
The following table specifies the care services that an approved provider of a home care service may provide.
| Care services |
| Item | Column 1
Service | Column 2
Content |
| 1 | Personal services | Personal assistance, including individual attention, individual supervision and physical assistance, with: (a) bathing, showering including providing shower chairs if necessary, personal hygiene and grooming, dressing and undressing, and using dressing aids; and (b) toileting; and (c) dressing and undressing; and (d) mobility; and (e) transfer (including in and out of bed). |
| 2 | Activities of daily living | Personal assistance, including individual attention, individual supervision and physical assistance, with communication including assistance to address difficulties arising from impaired hearing, sight or speech, or lack of common language, assistance with the fitting of sensory communication aids, checking hearing aid batteries, cleaning spectacles and assistance in using the telephone. |
| 3 | Nutrition, hydration, meal preparation and diet | Includes: (a) assistance with preparing meals; and (b) assistance with special diet for health, religious, cultural or other reasons; and (c) assistance with using eating utensils and eating aids and assistance with actual feeding, if necessary; and (d) providing enteral feeding formula and equipment. |
| 4 | Management of skin integrity | Includes providing bandages, dressings, and skin emollients. |
| 5 | Continence management | Includes: (a) assessment for and, if required, providing disposable pads and absorbent aids, commode chairs, bedpans and urinals, catheter and urinary drainage appliances and enemas; and (b) assistance in using continence aids and appliances and managing continence. |
| 6 | Mobility and dexterity | Includes: (a) providing crutches, quadruped walkers, walking frames, walking sticks and wheelchairs; and (b) providing mechanical devices for lifting, bed rails, slide sheets, sheepskins, tri‑pillows, and pressure relieving mattresses; and (c) assistance in using the above aids. |
2 Support services
The following table specifies the support services that an approved provider of a home care service may provide.
| Support services |
| Item | Column 1
Service | Column 2
Content |
| 1 | Support services | Includes: (a) cleaning; and (b) personal laundry services, including laundering of care recipient’s clothing and bedding that can be machine‑washed, and ironing; and (c) arranging for dry‑cleaning of care recipient’s clothing and bedding that cannot be machine‑washed; and (d) gardening; and (e) medication management; and (f) rehabilitative support, or helping to access rehabilitative support, to meet a professionally determined therapeutic need; and (g) emotional support including ongoing support in adjusting to a lifestyle involving increased dependency and assistance for the care recipient and carer, if appropriate; and (h) support for care recipients with cognitive impairment, including individual therapy, activities and access to specific programs designed to prevent or manage a particular condition or behaviour, enhance quality of life and provide ongoing support; and (i) providing 24‑hour on‑call access to emergency assistance including access to an emergency call system if the care recipient is assessed as requiring it; and (j) transport and personal assistance to help the care recipient shop, visit health practitioners or attend social activities; and (k) respite care; and (l) home maintenance, reasonably required to maintain the home and garden in a condition of functional safety and provide an adequate level of security; and (m) modifications to the home, such as easy access taps, shower hose or bath rails; and (n) assisting the care recipient, and the homeowner if the home owner is not the care recipient, to access technical advice on major home modifications; and (o) advising the care recipient on areas of concern in their home that pose safety risks and ways to mitigate the risks; and (p) arranging social activities and providing or coordinating transport to social functions, entertainment activities and other out‑of‑home services; and (q) assistance to access support services to maintain personal affairs. |
| 2 | Leisure, interests and activities | Includes encouragement to take part in social and community activities that promote and protect the care recipient’s lifestyle, interests and wellbeing. |
| 3 | Care management | Includes reviewing the care recipient’s home care agreement and care plan, coordinating and scheduling care and services, ensuring care and services are aligned with other supports, liaising with the care recipient and the care recipient’s representatives, ensuring that care and services are culturally appropriate, and identifying and addressing risks to the care recipient’s safety. |
3 Clinical services
The following table specifies the clinical services that an approved provider of a home care service may provide.
| Clinical services |
| Item | Column 1
Service | Column 2
Content |
| 1 | Clinical care | Includes: (a) nursing, allied health and therapy services such as speech therapy, podiatry, occupational or physiotherapy services; and (b) other clinical services such as hearing and vision services. |
| 2 | Access to other health and related services | Includes referral to health practitioners or other related service providers. |
Part 2—Excluded items
4 Items that must not be included in package of care and services
The following table specifies the items that must not be included in the package of care and services provided under section 13.
| Excluded items |
| Item | Column 1 | Column 2 |
| 1 | Excluded items | The following items must not be included in the package of care and services provided under section 13: (a) use of the package funds as a source of general income for the care recipient; (b) purchase of food, except as part of enteral feeding requirements; (c) payment for permanent accommodation, including assistance with home purchase, mortgage payments or rent; (d) payment of home care fees; (e) payment of fees or charges for other types of care funded or jointly funded by the Australian Government; (f) home modifications or capital items that are not related to the care recipient’s care needs; (g) travel and accommodation for holidays; (h) cost of entertainment activities, such as club memberships and tickets to sporting events; (i) gambling activities; (j) payment for services and items covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. |
Schedule 5—Care and services for short‑term restorative care
Note 1: See sections 15B and 15C.
Note 2: The care and services specified in this Schedule must be provided in a way that complies with the Aged Care Quality Standards set out in Schedule 2 (see sections 15E and 15F).
Part 1—Care and services that may be provided in a residential care setting
Division 1—Hotel services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them
1 Hotel services—for all care recipients who need them
The following table specifies the hotel services that an approved provider of short‑term restorative care must provide for all care recipients who need them, if the short‑term restorative care is provided in a residential care setting.
| Hotel services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them |
| Item | Column 1
Service | Column 2
Content |
| 1.1 | Administration | General operation of the flexible care service, including documentation relating to care recipients. |
| 1.2 | Maintenance of buildings and grounds | Adequately maintained buildings and grounds. |
| 1.3 | Accommodation | Utilities such as electricity and water. |
| 1.4 | Furnishings | Bedside lockers, chairs with arms, containers for personal laundry, dining, lounge and recreational furnishings, draw‑screens (for shared rooms), wardrobe space and towel rails. Excludes furnishings a care recipient chooses to provide. |
| 1.5 | Bedding | Beds and mattresses, bed linen, blankets, and absorbent or waterproof sheeting. |
| 1.6 | Cleaning services, goods and facilities | Cleanliness and tidiness of the entire flexible care service. Excludes a care recipient’s personal area if the care recipient chooses and is able to maintain this himself or herself. |
| 1.7 | Waste disposal | Safe disposal of organic and inorganic waste material. |
| 1.8 | General laundry | Heavy laundry facilities and services, and personal laundry services, including laundering of clothing that can be machine washed. Excludes cleaning of clothing requiring dry cleaning or another special cleaning process, and personal laundry if a care recipient chooses and is able to do this himself or herself. |
| 1.9 | Toiletry goods | Bath towels, face washers, soap, toilet paper, tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, denture cleaning preparations, mouthwashes, moisturiser, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, disposable razors and deodorant. |
| 1.10 | Meals and refreshments | (a) Meals of adequate variety, quality and quantity for each care recipient, served each day at times generally acceptable to both care recipients and management, and generally consisting of 3 meals per day plus morning tea, afternoon tea and supper; (b) Special dietary requirements, having regard to either medical need or religious or cultural observance; (c) Food, including fruit of adequate variety, quality and quantity, and non‑alcoholic beverages, including fruit juice. |
| 1.11 | Care recipient social activities | Programs to encourage care recipients to take part in social activities that promote and protect their dignity, and to take part in community life outside the flexible care service. |
| 1.12 | Emergency assistance | At least one responsible person is continuously on call and in reasonable proximity to render emergency assistance. |
Division 2—Care and services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them
2 Care and services—for all care recipients who need them
The following table specifies the care and services that an approved provider of short‑term restorative care must provide for all care recipients who need them, if the short‑term restorative care is provided in a residential care setting.
| Care and services——to be provided for all care recipients who need them |
| Item | Column 1
Care or service | Column 2
Content |
| 2.1 | Daily living activities assistance | Personal assistance, including individual attention, individual supervision, and physical assistance, with the following: (a) bathing, showering, personal hygiene and grooming; (b) maintaining continence or managing incontinence, and using aids and appliances designed to assist continence management; (c) eating and eating aids, and using eating utensils and eating aids (including actual feeding if necessary); (d) dressing, undressing, and using dressing aids; (e) moving, walking, wheelchair use, and using devices and appliances designed to aid mobility, including the fitting of artificial limbs and other personal mobility aids; (f) communication, including to address difficulties arising from impaired hearing, sight or speech, or lack of common language (including fitting sensory communication aids), and checking hearing aid batteries and cleaning spectacles. Excludes hairdressing. |
| 2.2 | Meals and refreshments | Special diet not normally provided. |
| 2.3 | Emotional support | Emotional support to, and supervision of, care recipients. |
| 2.4 | Treatments and procedures | Treatments and procedures that are carried out according to the instructions of a health professional or a person responsible for assessing a care recipient’s personal care needs, including supervision and physical assistance with taking medications, and ordering and reordering medications, subject to requirements of State or Territory law. Includes bandages, dressings, swabs and saline. |
| 2.5 | Recreational therapy | Recreational activities suited to care recipients, participation in the activities, and communal recreational equipment. |
| 2.6 | Rehabilitation support | Individual therapy programs designed by health professionals that are aimed at maintaining or restoring a care recipient’s ability to perform daily tasks for himself or herself, or assisting care recipients to obtain access to such programs. |
| 2.7 | Assistance in obtaining health practitioner services | Arrangements for aural, community health, dental, medical, psychiatric and other health practitioners to visit care recipients, whether the arrangements are made by care recipients, relatives or other persons representing the interests of care recipients, or are made direct with a health practitioner. |
| 2.8 | Assistance in obtaining access to specialised therapy services | Making arrangements for speech therapists, podiatrists, occupational or physiotherapy practitioners to visit care recipients, whether the arrangements are made by care recipients, relatives or other persons representing the interests of care recipients. |
| 2.9 | Support for care recipients with cognitive impairment | Individual attention and support to care recipients with cognitive impairment (for example, dementia and behavioural disorders), including individual therapy activities and specific programs designed and carried out to prevent or manage a particular condition or behaviour and to enhance the quality of life and care for such care recipients and ongoing support (including specific encouragement) to motivate or enable such care recipients to take part in general activities of the residential care service. |
Division 3—Care and services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them—fees may apply
3 Care and services—for all care recipients who need them—fees may apply
The following table specifies the care and services that an approved provider of short‑term restorative care must provide for all care recipients who need them, if the short‑term restorative care is provided in a residential care setting.
| Care and services—to be provided for all care recipients who need them |
| Item | Column 1
Care or service | Column 2
Content |
| 3.1 | Furnishings | Over‑bed tables. |
| 3.2 | Bedding materials | Bed rails, incontinence sheets, ripple mattresses, sheepskins, tri‑pillows, and water and air mattresses appropriate to each care recipient’s condition. |
| 3.3 | Goods to assist care recipients to move themselves | Crutches, quadruped walkers, walking frames, walking sticks, and wheelchairs. Excludes motorised wheelchairs and custom made aids. |
| 3.4 | Goods to assist staff to move care recipients | Mechanical devices for lifting care recipients, stretchers, and trolleys. |
| 3.5 | Goods to assist with toileting and incontinence management | Absorbent aids, commode chairs, disposable bed pans and urinal covers, disposable pads, over‑toilet chairs, shower chairs and urodomes, catheter and urinary drainage appliances, and disposable enemas. |
| 3.6 | Nursing services | Initial assessment and care planning carried out by a nurse practitioner or registered nurse, and ongoing management and evaluation carried out by a nurse practitioner, registered nurse or enrolled nurse acting within their scope of practice. Nursing services carried out by a nurse practitioner, registered nurse or enrolled nurse, or other professional appropriate to the service (for example, medical practitioner, stoma therapist, speech pathologist, physiotherapist or qualified practitioner from a palliative care team), acting within their scope of practice. Services may include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) establishment and supervision of a complex pain management or palliative care program, including monitoring and managing any side effects; (b) insertion, care and maintenance of tubes, including intravenous and naso‑gastric tubes; (c) establishing and reviewing a catheter care program, including the insertion, removal and replacement of catheters; (d) establishing and reviewing a stoma care program; (e) complex wound management; (f) insertion of suppositories; (g) risk management procedures relating to acute or chronic infectious conditions; (h) special feeding for care recipients with dysphagia (difficulty with swallowing); (i) suctioning of airways; (j) tracheostomy care; (k) enema administration; (l) oxygen therapy requiring ongoing supervision because of a care recipient’s variable need; (m) dialysis treatment. |
| 3.7 | Therapy services, such as, recreational, speech therapy, podiatry, occupational, and physiotherapy services | (a) Maintenance therapy delivered by health professionals, or care staff as directed by health professionals, designed to maintain care recipients’ levels of independence in activities of daily living; (b) More intensive therapy delivered by health professionals, or care staff as directed by health professionals, on a temporary basis that is designed to allow care recipients to reach a level of independence at which maintenance therapy will meet their needs. Excludes intensive, long‑term rehabilitation services required following, for example, serious illness or injury, surgery or trauma. |
Part 2—Care and services that may be provided in a home care setting
Division 1—Care and services that may be provided
4 Care services
The following table specifies the care services that an approved provider of short‑term restorative care may provide if the care is provided in a home care setting.
| Care services |
| Item | Column 1
Service | Column 2
Content |
| 4.1 | Personal services | Personal assistance, including individual attention, individual supervision and physical assistance, with: (a) bathing, showering including providing shower chairs if necessary, personal hygiene and grooming, dressing and undressing, and using dressing aids; and (b) toileting; and (c) dressing and undressing; and (d) mobility; and (e) transfer (including in and out of bed). |
| 4.2 | Activities of daily living | Personal assistance, including individual attention, individual supervision and physical assistance, with communication including assistance to address difficulties arising from impaired hearing, sight or speech, or lack of common language, assistance with the fitting of sensory communication aids, checking hearing aid batteries, cleaning spectacles and assistance in using the telephone. |
| 4.3 | Nutrition, hydration, meal preparation and diet | Includes: (a) assistance with preparing meals; and (b) assistance with special diet for health, religious, cultural or other reasons; and (c) assistance with using eating utensils and eating aids and assistance with actual feeding, if necessary; and (d) providing enteral feeding formula and equipment. |
| 4.4 | Management of skin integrity | Includes providing bandages, dressings, and skin emollients. |
| 4.5 | Continence management | Includes: (a) assessment for and, if required, providing disposable pads and absorbent aids, commode chairs, bedpans and urinals, catheter and urinary drainage appliances and enemas; and (b) assistance in using continence aids and appliances and managing continence. |
| 4.6 | Mobility and dexterity | Includes: (a) providing crutches, quadruped walkers, walking frames, walking sticks and wheelchairs; and (b) providing mechanical devices for lifting, bed rails, slide sheets, sheepskins, tri‑pillows, and pressure relieving mattresses; and (c) assistance in using the above aids. |
5 Support services
The following table specifies the support services that an approved provider of short‑term restorative care may provide if the care is provided in a home care setting.
| Support services |
| Item | Column 1
Service | Column 2
Content |
| 5.1 | Support services | Includes: (a) cleaning; and (b) personal laundry services, including laundering of care recipient’s clothing and bedding that can be machine‑washed, and ironing; and (c) arranging for dry‑cleaning of care recipient’s clothing and bedding that cannot be machine‑washed; and (d) gardening; and (e) medication management; and (f) rehabilitative support, or helping to access rehabilitative support, to meet a professionally determined therapeutic need; and (g) emotional support including ongoing support in adjusting to a lifestyle involving increased dependency and assistance for the care recipient and carer, if appropriate; and (h) support for care recipients with cognitive impairment, including individual therapy, activities and access to specific programs designed to prevent or manage a particular condition or behaviour, enhance quality of life and provide ongoing support; and (i) providing 24‑hour on‑call access to emergency assistance including access to an emergency call system if the care recipient is assessed as requiring it; and (j) transport and personal assistance to help the care recipient shop, visit health practitioners or attend social activities; and (k) respite care; and (l) home maintenance, reasonably required to maintain the home and garden in a condition of functional safety and provide an adequate level of security; and (m) modifications to the home, such as easy access taps, shower hose or bath rails; and (n) assisting the care recipient, and the homeowner if the home owner is not the care recipient, to access technical advice on major home modifications; and (o) advising the care recipient on areas of concern in their home that pose safety risks and ways to mitigate the risks; and (p) arranging social activities and providing or coordinating transport to social functions, entertainment activities and other out‑of‑home services; and (q) assistance to access support services to maintain personal affairs. |
| 5.2 | Leisure, interests and activities | Includes encouragement to take part in social and community activities that promote and protect the care recipient’s lifestyle, interests and wellbeing. |
6 Clinical services
The following table specifies the clinical services that an approved provider of short‑term restorative care may provide if the care is provided in a home care setting.
| Clinical services |
| Item | Column 1
Service | Column 2
Content |
| 6.1 | Clinical care | Includes: (a) nursing, allied health and therapy services such as speech therapy, podiatry, occupational or physiotherapy services; and (b) other clinical services such as hearing and vision services. |
| 6.2 | Access to other health and related services | Includes referral to health practitioners or other related service providers. |
Division 2—Excluded care and services
7 Items that must not be included in package of care and services
The following table specifies the items that must not be included in the package of care and services provided under section 15C.
| Excluded items |
| Item | Column 1 | Column 2 |
| 7.1 | Excluded items | The following items must not be included in the package of care and services provided under section 15C: (a) use of the package funds as a source of general income for the care recipient; (b) purchase of food, except as part of enteral feeding requirements; (c) payment for permanent accommodation, including assistance with home purchase, mortgage payments or rent; (d) payment of flexible care fees; (e) payment of fees or charges for other types of care funded or jointly funded by the Australian Government; (f) home modifications or capital items that are not related to the care recipient’s care needs; (g) travel and accommodation for holidays; (h) cost of entertainment activities, such as club memberships and tickets to sporting events; (i) gambling activities; (j) payment for services and items covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. |
Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Abbreviation key—Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.
If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
| ad = added or inserted | o = order(s) |
| am = amended | Ord = Ordinance |
| amdt = amendment | orig = original |
| c = clause(s) | par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) |
| C[x] = Compilation No. x | /sub‑subparagraph(s) |
| Ch = Chapter(s) | pres = present |
| def = definition(s) | prev = previous |
| Dict = Dictionary | (prev…) = previously |
| disallowed = disallowed by Parliament | Pt = Part(s) |
| Div = Division(s) | r = regulation(s)/rule(s) |
| ed = editorial change | reloc = relocated |
| exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | renum = renumbered |
| effect | rep = repealed |
| F = Federal Register of Legislation | rs = repealed and substituted |
| gaz = gazette | s = section(s)/subsection(s) |
| LA = Legislation Act 2003 | Sch = Schedule(s) |
| LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 | Sdiv = Subdivision(s) |
| (md) = misdescribed amendment can be given | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |
| effect | SR = Statutory Rules |
| (md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment | Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s) |
| cannot be given effect | SubPt = Subpart(s) |
| mod = modified/modification | underlining = whole or part not |
| No. = Number(s) | commenced or to be commenced |
Endnote 3—Legislation history
| Name | Registration | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |
| Quality of Care Principles 2014 | 26 June 2014 (F2014L00830) | 1 July 2014 (s 2) | |
| Quality of Care Amendment Principle 2014 (No. 1) | 8 Jan 2015 (F2015L00021) | 9 Jan 2015 (s 2) | — |
| Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Short‑term Restorative Care) Principles 2016 | 5 May 2016 (F2016L00670) | 6 May 2016 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
| Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Influenza Vaccination in Residential Care) Principles 2018 | 30 Apr 2018 (F2018L00545) | Sch 1 (items 1–4): 1 May 2018 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
| Quality of Care Amendment (Single Quality Framework) Principles 2018 | 10 Oct 2018 (F2018L01412) | 1 July 2019 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
| Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (Consequential Amendments) Rules 2018 | 24 Dec 2018 (F2018L01840) | Sch 1 (items 7, 8): 1 Jan 2019 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
| Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Comparability of Home Care Pricing Information) Principles 2019 | 14 Mar 2019 (F2019L00288) | Sch 1 (item 2): 15 Mar 2019 (s 2(1) item 2) | — |
| Quality of Care Amendment (Minimising the Use of Restraints) Principles 2019 | 2 Apr 2019 (F2019L00511) | 1 July 2019 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
| Quality of Care Amendment (Reviewing Restraints Principles) Principles 2019 | 25 Nov 2019 (F2019L01505) | 29 Nov 2019 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
Endnote 4—Amendment history
| Provision affected | How affected |
| Part 1 | |
| s 2............................................. | rep LIA s 48D |
| s 4............................................. | am F2016L00670; F2018L00545; F2018L01412; F2018L01840; F2019L00511 |
| | def approved health practitioner rep 1 July 2021 (s 15J(2)) |
| | def chemical restraint rep 1 July 2021 (s 15J(2)) |
| | def physical restraint rep 1 July 2021 (s 15J(2)) |
| | def restraint rep 1 July 2021 (s 15J(2)) |
| s 4A.......................................... | ad F2018L01412 |
| s 5............................................. | rs F2018L01412 |
| Part 2 | |
| Division 1 heading.................... | rep F2018L01412 |
| s 6............................................. | am F2018L01412 |
| s 7............................................. | am F2018L01412 |
| s 8............................................. | rep F2015L00021 |
| | ad F2018L00545 |
| Division 2................................. | rep F2018L01412 |
| s 9............................................. | rep F2018L01412 |
| s 10........................................... | rep F2018L01412 |
| s 11........................................... | rep F2018L01412 |
| Part 3 | |
| Division 1 heading.................... | rep F2018L01412 |
| s 12........................................... | am F2018L01412 |
| s 13........................................... | am F2018L01412 |
| Division 2................................. | rep F2018L01412 |
| s 14........................................... | rep F2018L01412 |
| s 15........................................... | rep F2018L01412 |
| Part 4 | |
| Part 4........................................ | ad F2016L00670 |
| Division 1 heading.................... | rep F2018L01412 |
| s 15A........................................ | ad F2016L00670 |
| | rs F2018L00545 |
| | am F2018L01412 |
| s 15B........................................ | ad F2016L00670 |
| | am F2018L01412 |
| s 15BA...................................... | ad F2018L00545 |
| s 15C........................................ | ad F2016L00670 |
| | am F2018L01412 |
| Division 2................................. | rep F2018L01412 |
| Part 4A | |
| Part 4A heading......................... | rs F2019L01505 |
| Part 4A...................................... | ad F2019L00511 |
| | rep 1 July 2021 (s 15J(1)) |
| s 15D........................................ | ad F2016L00670 |
| | rep F2018L01412 |
| | ad F2019L00511 |
| | rep 1 July 2021 (s 15J(1)) |
| s 15E........................................ | ad F2016L00670 |
| | rep F2018L01412 |
| | ad F2019L00511 |
| | rep 1 July 2021 (s 15J(1)) |
| s 15F......................................... | ad F2016L00670 |
| | rep F2018L01412 |
| | ad F2019L00511 |
| | am F2019L01505 |
| | rep 1 July 2021 (s 15J(1)) |
| s 15G........................................ | ad F2019L00511 |
| | am F2019L01505 |
| | rep 1 July 2021 (s 15J(1)) |
| s 15H........................................ | ad F2019L01505 |
| | rep 1 July 2021 (s 15J(1)) |
| s 15J......................................... | ad F2019L01505 |
| | rep 1 July 2021 (s 15J(1)) |
| Part 5 | |
| Part 5........................................ | ad F2018L01412 |
| s 16........................................... | ad F2018L01412 |
| s 17........................................... | ad F2018L01412 |
| s 18........................................... | ad F2018L01412 |
| Schedule 1 | |
| Schedule 1................................ | am F2018L01412 |
| Schedule 2 | |
| Schedule 2................................ | rs F2018L01412 |
| c 1............................................. | rs F2018L01412 |
| c 2............................................. | rs F2018L01412 |
| c 3............................................. | rs F2018L01412 |
| c 4............................................. | rs F2018L01412 |
| c 5............................................. | ad F2018L01412 |
| c 6............................................. | ad F2018L01412 |
| c 7............................................. | ad F2018L01412 |
| c 8............................................. | ad F2018L01412 |
| Schedule 3 | |
| Schedule 3................................ | am F2018L01412 |
| c 2............................................. | am F2019L00288 |
| Schedule 4................................ | rep F2018L01412 |
| c 1............................................. | rep F2018L01412 |
| c 2............................................. | rep F2018L01412 |
| c 3............................................. | rep F2018L01412 |
| Schedule 5 | |
| Schedule 5................................ | ad F2016L00670 |
| | am F2018L01412 |