Aged Care Quality Standards
This section provides information on the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. In addition to the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, Palliative Care Australia has standards to guide health professionals not working in Specialist Palliative Care Services. National Palliative Care Standards for All Health Professionals and Aged Care Services. These can be used to complement the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.
Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
The Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards [1] outline what quality and safe aged care services look like and the expectations of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission for providers. Organisations providing aged care services in Australia are expected to comply with the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.
The strengthened Standards are structured as:
- the intent
- the expectation
- the outcome (enforceable); and
- the actions to meet the outcome.
Under the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards Residential Aged Care providers are identified as Category 6 Type E where Standards 1 through to 7 apply.
Source : Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission website www.agedcarequality.gov.au. The use of this image does not constitute an endorsement by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission of ELDAC activities.
More information is available in the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards - August 2025 (1.7MB pdf) and on the Guidance and Resources webpages for providers.
ELDAC has information and resources, including an aged care service guide, to support understanding and addressing Standard 5: Clinical Care, including Outcome 5.7 relating to palliative care and end-of-life care.
Aged Care Service Funding
The Australian Government subsides the cost of home support services that older people can receive in their own home. What they pay depends on the services and in some cases, their financial situation. Depending on care needs, services can be accessed through the Commonwealth Home Support or Support at Home programs.
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provides entry-level home support for older people who need assistance to keep living independently, as well as respite services to give carers a break. Clients pay a contribution, which varies between providers, towards the cost of services. CHSP providers receive Australian Government funding through grant agreements.
Types of services include assistance with:
- social support
- transport
- domestic chores
- personal care
- home maintenance
- home modification
- nursing care
- meals
- allied health services.
The CHSP comes under the Aged Care Act 2024 (the Act) from 1 November 2025. Existing approved CHSP clients can continue to access their CHSP services. Older people who wish to access CHSP from 1 November 2025 must apply for an aged care assessment through My Aged Care. The CHSP 2025-27 Manual (1.9MB pdf) provides an overview of the program, eligibility and delivery requirements, and administration and provider responsibilities.
From 1 November 20205, the Support at Home Program replaced the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme. Support at Home is available for older people who require more care than can be provided by the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). Support at Home assists older people to stay at home rather than entering residential aged care. The program provides ongoing personal and support services and clinical care.
There are 8 ongoing classifications with increasing funds to provide varying levels of care. In addition, there are 4 classifications for transitioned Home Care Package (HCP) care recipients who have not been reassessed under Support at Home.
There are 3 short-term support classifications:
Registered providers who will be delivering the Support at Home program can access the program manual.