Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards

At Pioneers Lodge, we strongly welcome the Government’s move to strengthen the Aged Care Quality Standards following the recommendations of the Royal Commission. These updated Standards aim to give older Australians clearer protections, greater choice, and improved quality across all areas of care, values that we already hold at the heart of our work.

How Pioneers Lodge Is Preparing

The health, wellbeing and quality of life of our residents have always been our highest priority.
As the new Strengthened Standards move closer to implementation, we are actively preparing to ensure we meet and exceed, every requirement.

This work is being coordinated through our Quality, Clinical Governance & Compliance team, led by Fiona Kenny, with guidance and oversight from our Executive General Manager, Kuda Sozinyu, and our Board. We are reviewing our systems, training, communication processes, care planning tools, and risk frameworks to ensure they align with the new expectations.

The strengthened Standards align strongly with our existing commitment to safe, person-centred care, and in many areas, we are already operating above the expected level.

What Are the Aged Care Quality Standards?

The Aged Care Quality Standards are a national set of expectations designed to ensure older Australians receive safe, high-quality and respectful care.
All government-funded aged care providers must follow these Standards. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission monitors compliance, assesses homes, and ensures providers maintain the expected level of service.

Under the strengthened framework, there are 7 Standards, each outlining a key area of care.

What Has Changed?

The strengthened Standards were developed after extensive consultation with older people, families, and aged care providers across Australia.

The new version is:

clearer and easier to understand
more measurable
more consistent across residential and home care
aligned with modern expectations and rights
designed to improve safety, transparency and accountability

Who Developed the New Standards?

The strengthened Standards were developed by the Australian Government in collaboration with:

Department of Health and Aged Care
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, and
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

They were tested through pilot programs involving aged care providers across Australia to ensure they were practical and achievable.

What Do These Changes Mean for Older Australians?

The strengthened Standards aim to ensure older Australians experience:

care that protects dignity, choice and rights
safer, more consistent services
clearer expectations from their care provider
stronger protections against abuse and neglect
a greater voice in their care decisions
continuous improvement across the aged care sector

Standard 1 – The Person

This Standard place the person receiving care at the centre of everything.
It focuses on dignity, respect, independence and personal choice. Residents must feel listened to, supported and treated as individuals with their own goals, lifestyle, preferences and rights.

Standard 2 – The Organisation

This Standard outlines what an aged care provider must do to deliver safe, high-quality care, including governance, risk management, emergency response, workforce capability, communication, and continuous improvement.
It ensures the organisation is well-run and accountable.

Standard 4 – The Environment

This Standard describes how care should be assessed, planned and delivered.
It includes care assessments, planning with residents and families, coordination of services, and ensuring each person receives the support they need, when they need it.

Standard 4 – The Environment

This Standard ensures that the physical environment is clean, safe, comfortable and suitable for the people living in it.

The home must support wellbeing, mobility, independence and personal comfort.

Standard 5 – Clinical Care

This Standard requires providers to deliver safe, high-quality clinical care supported by strong clinical governance.

It includes areas such as medication management, wound care, dementia support, palliative and end-of-life care, and other specialised health needs.

Standard 6 – Food and Nutrition

This Standard highlights the importance of nutritious food, hydration and a positive dining experience.

Residents should enjoy meals that reflect their preferences, cultural background and dietary needs, in an environment that feels social, comfortable and respectful.

Standard 7 – The Residential Community

This Standard recognises the importance of belonging, connection and purpose.

Residents should have access to activities, relationships, community connections and meaningful routines that reflect everyday life and support wellbeing.

Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards

Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards

How Pioneers Lodge Is Preparing

What Are the Aged Care Quality Standards?

What Has Changed?

Who Developed the New Standards?

What Do These Changes Mean for Older Australians?

Standard 1 – The Person

Standard 2 – The Organisation

Standard 4 – The Environment

Standard 4 – The Environment

Standard 5 – Clinical Care

Standard 6 – Food and Nutrition

Standard 7 – The Residential Community

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