The Aged Care Quality Standards are the national requirements that define what safe, high-quality aged care should look like in Australia. The strengthened Quality Standards came into effect on 1 November 2025 under the new Aged Care Act 2024. They consist of seven standards covering areas including the individual, organisation, care and services, environment, clinical care, food and nutrition, and the residential community. They focus on ensuring older people receive safe, respectful and person-centred care while having their rights, needs and preferences upheld.

Aged care providers must meet the regulatory and quality requirements that apply to their registration category and services. The assessment process can include audits by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to determine whether applicable Quality Standards are being met. Depending on the provider's registration category and circumstances, audits may be required for new registration, renewal or variation of registration. Preparing effectively involves reviewing policies and procedures, governance arrangements, clinical systems, risk management, workforce practices and evidence of continuous improvement before an assessment.

Clinical governance is the framework of leadership, accountability, systems and processes that supports the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality clinical care. It includes managing clinical risks, monitoring clinical performance, ensuring appropriate workforce capability, responding to incidents and using information and feedback to improve care. Under the strengthened Quality Standards, clinical governance forms part of Standard 5 – Clinical Care and is particularly important for providers delivering clinical services.

The Aged Care Act 2024 is the current primary legislation governing government-funded aged care in Australia. It commenced on 1 November 2025 and replaced the previous Aged Care Act 1997 and other related legislation. The new Act introduces a stronger rights-based approach, placing older people at the centre of the aged care system and establishing requirements for providers, workers, registration, quality, safety and regulatory oversight. Providers need to understand how the Act applies to their services and ensure their governance, policies and operational systems reflect their current obligations.

Aged care compliance involves meeting the legal, regulatory and quality requirements that apply to your organisation and the services you provide. Depending on your registration category and service type, this may include compliance with the Aged Care Act 2024, applicable Aged Care Quality Standards, governance and risk management requirements, clinical governance, incident management, complaints and feedback processes, workforce requirements, documentation and record keeping, privacy and information management, and continuous improvement obligations. Providers should regularly review their systems and evidence to identify gaps and maintain ongoing regulatory readiness.