Aged Care Standards and Rights
You deserve high quality, respectful care that helps you live life the way you choose. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission protects the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life of Australians receiving aged care.
The Aged Care Quality Standards
The Aged Care Quality Standards are set out by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to define what good care looks like.
The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards came into effect on 1 November, 2025, and all government-funded aged care providers are required to comply with them.
The Commission assesses each provider's performance against the Standards. Organisations must regularly give evidence of their compliance to meet Australian Government requirements.
The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards came into effect on 1 November, 2025, and all government-funded aged care providers are required to comply with them.
The Commission assesses each provider's performance against the Standards. Organisations must regularly give evidence of their compliance to meet Australian Government requirements.
The Aged Care Quality Standards
1. The Individual
What this means for you: I am valued and have choice over the life I lead. I feel respected and make decisions about my care, with support when I need it. My identity, culture, and preferences are recognised, and this informs the way my services are delivered.
2. The Organisation
What this means for you: I have confidence in my service provider. The organisation is well run and my provider responds to my feedback, questions, and concerns. The aged care services I receive are delivered by people who are knowledgeable, competent, and caring.
3. The Care and Services
What this means for you: My care is based around who I am and what’s important to me. The services I receive are safe, effective and well coordinated, supporting my reablement and independence and respecting my right to make choices and take risks.
4. The Environment
What this means for you: I feel safe and supported where I live. My environment is clean, safe and comfortable. I can move around freely and the equipment I use is safe, suitable for my needs and well-maintained.
5. Clinical Care
What this means for you: I get the right clinical care for me. I receive evidence-based, safe, effective, and well coordinated clinical care from qualified professionals who understand my changing clinical needs.
6. Food and Nutrition
What this means for you: I enjoy tasty and nutritious food every day. The meals and drinks that are prepared for me are appetising, safe and suited to my needs and preferences.
7. The Residential Community
What this means for you: I contribute to the community I live in. I am supported to do the things I want and to stay connected with the people and communities that matter to me. I have confidence in the continuity of my care and the security of my accommodation.
The Statement of Aged Care Rights
Everyone has the right to always be treated with dignity and respect. The new Statement of Aged Care Rights describes your rights as a consumer of government-funded aged care in Australia, no matter what services you receive. They are listed for you below.
Independence, choice and control
- I have the right to make my own decisions and have control over:
- what funded aged care services I use,
- how I access funded aged care services and who provides them,
- my money and belongings.
Fair access
- I have the right to a fair and accurate assessment to find out what funded aged care services I need. This assessment should be done in a way that suits me, respecting my:
- culture and background,
- personal experience and any trauma,
- cognitive conditions, such as dementia.
I also have the right to get the kind of care I need, when I need it, including palliative care and end-of-life care.
Safety and quality
- I have the right to safe, quality, and fair aged care services that treat me with dignity and respect. This includes the right to access funded aged care services that:
- value and support my identity, culture and background,
- respect my experience, including any trauma,
- are accessible and meet my needs,
- are provided by workers with the right training, skills and experience.
- I have the right to access services that are free from violence, abuse and neglect, and providers that meet all the conditions under the aged care laws.
Respect for my privacy and information
- I have the right to have my personal privacy respected and protected, and to choose when my personal information can be given to someone else, such as an advocate or a lawyer.
- I have the right to access records and information about my rights and the funded aged care services I use, including how much they cost.
Communication that meets my needs
- I have the right to receive information in a way I understand, and to provide feedback on the services I receive.
- I have the right to communicate in the language or method I prefer, including:
- using interpreters or communication aids if I need them,
- meeting with my provider in a way that suits me.
Support to raise issues quickly and fairly
- I have the right to receive support from my provider when there are issues with my funded aged care services, allowing me to:
- complain without fear or being punished,
- get a quick and fair response to my complaints.
Support and connection with people and community
- I have the right to be supported to understand my rights, make decisions or make a complaint. This support can be provided by an independent advocate or someone else I choose.
- I have the right to have the role of people who are important to me, such as family, friends, and carers, be acknowledged and respected by my provider.
- I have the right to stay connected with:
- the people who are important to me,
- my community, including by taking part in leisure or cultural activities,
- my pets,
- if I am Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander – my community, Country and Island Home
- I have the right to communicate with my advocate or support person at any time I like.
Learn more about the Aged Care Act and Quality Standards
- Find out more about the new Aged Care Act
- Find out more about the Aged Care Quality Standards
