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The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) is the national regulator of funded aged care services in Australia. The ACQSC upholds the rights and protects the safety, health, and wellbeing of older people receiving government-funded aged care services. The Commission develops resources and shares important information with aged care providers about their responsibilities. The ACQSC also registers providers, monitors and assesses their compliance with the Code of Conduct for Aged Care, and handles complaints. The Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care, established in October 2023, is an independent statutory agency that provides oversight of the Commonwealth's administration, governance, and regulation of aged care. The Inspector-General, appointed by the Governor-General, leads the office and is responsible for promoting dignity, human rights, and quality care for older Australians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To uphold rights, and protect and enhance the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life of older people receiving Australian Government-funded aged care services |
| Functions | Monitoring and assessing providers' compliance with the Code of Conduct for Aged Care, the Aged Care Quality Standards and other obligations |
| Registering providers to deliver aged care services | |
| Engaging with people accessing aged care services, and their supporters and representatives to develop best-practice models for registered providers and aged care workers | |
| Providing guidance and support for workers in delivering safe, quality aged care | |
| Providing information and resources to help providers deliver good, culturally safe aged care for First Nations older people | |
| Sharing information with the public about performance, assessment activities, accreditation decisions and other historical information | |
| Developing a modern regulatory model to support reforms | |
| Providing oversight of the Commonwealth’s administration, governance and regulation of aged care | |
| Identifying what works, highlighting serious issues, and making recommendations to promote dignity, human rights, and quality care | |
| Sharing findings with Parliament and the public |
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What You'll Learn
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC)
The Aged Care Quality Standards are designed to improve care outcomes and set clear expectations for providers. They outline the rights of those receiving care, including the right to be treated with dignity and respect, to live free from discrimination, and to make decisions about their care with appropriate support. The Standards also ensure that the care environment is clean, safe, and comfortable, and that care recipients feel safe and supported.
The ACQSC monitors and assesses providers' compliance with the Code of Conduct for Aged Care, the Aged Care Quality Standards, and other obligations. This includes registering providers to deliver aged care services and engaging with people accessing these services to develop best-practice models. The ACQSC also provides guidance and support to workers in delivering safe and quality aged care, as well as information on providers' obligations and responsibilities.
The ACQSC produces resources to help providers deliver culturally safe aged care for First Nations older people. It also publishes sector performance reports, which detail how aged care providers are performing against their responsibilities under the Aged Care Act 1997.
The ACQSC encourages people to raise concerns or make complaints about aged care, as this can improve the quality of care and help others in similar situations. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended the establishment of a separate Complaints Commissioner within the ACQSC to promote independence, transparency, and accountability in complaints handling.
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The Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care
The Inspector-General of Aged Care is a statutory office holder appointed by the Governor-General. The position was established on 16 October 2023 through the Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023 (IGAC Act) to ensure the Commonwealth's administration and governance of aged care are subject to independent scrutiny. The IGAC Act outlines the functions and powers of the Inspector-General and their supporting office.
The current Inspector-General of Aged Care is Ms Natalie Siegel-Brown, who was appointed on 14 January 2025. Before Ms Siegel-Brown's appointment, Mr Ian Yates served as the Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care from 15 October 2023 to 13 January 2025.
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The role of the Complaints Commissioner
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) is the national regulator of funded aged care services in Australia. Its purpose is to uphold the rights and protect the safety, health, and wellbeing of older people receiving government-funded aged care services. The Commission engages with people accessing aged care services and their supporters and representatives to develop best-practice models for registered providers and aged care workers.
The Complaints Commissioner also plays a role in monitoring and assessing providers' compliance with relevant codes of conduct, standards, and other obligations. This includes the Code of Conduct for Aged Care and the Aged Care Quality Standards, which ensure that everyone using aged care is treated with dignity and respect. By receiving and addressing complaints, the Commissioner can identify areas where providers may not be meeting these standards and take appropriate action to improve the quality of care.
Additionally, the Complaints Commissioner contributes to the development and implementation of best-practice models for registered providers and aged care workers. Through the analysis of complaints and concerns, the Commissioner can identify areas where further guidance, training, or resources may be needed to enhance the quality of care. This may include sharing information about providers' responsibilities, changes in the sector, and best practices through publications such as the Quality Bulletin.
Overall, the role of the Complaints Commissioner is crucial in upholding the rights and protecting the safety, health, and wellbeing of older people receiving aged care services. By providing a safe and accessible avenue for individuals to raise concerns, the Commissioner plays a vital part in improving the quality of care and ensuring that the needs of those receiving care are met.
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Quality Standards Resource Centre
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) is the national regulator of funded aged care services in Australia. The ACQSC's Quality Standards Resource Centre provides tailored information to help providers, workers, and governing body members understand how the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards guidance is relevant to their roles and the type of care they provide.
The Aged Care Quality Standards are designed to improve care outcomes and set clear expectations for providers in delivering quality aged care. Approved providers of government-funded aged care homes are required to meet these Quality Standards, which define what quality care looks like. The ACQSC is responsible for monitoring how providers of aged care homes meet these standards and requirements. The strengthened Quality Standards, which took effect under the new Aged Care Act on 1 November 2025, include rights and standards that providers must understand.
The Quality Standards Resource Centre provides guidance on various topics, such as the rights and choices of individuals receiving aged care. For example, individuals have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, to live free from discrimination, and to make decisions about their funded aged care services with the necessary support. They should feel safe where they live and receive the care and support they desire. The centre also covers the responsibilities of aged care providers, such as ensuring a clean, safe, and comfortable environment that enables individuals to move around freely.
Additionally, the Quality Standards Resource Centre addresses the obligations and expected behaviours of quality assessors. It provides information on the relevant rules and legislation that define the regulatory functions of the ACQSC. The ACQSC works to uphold the rights and protect and enhance the safety, health, wellbeing, and quality of life of older people receiving Australian Government-funded aged care services. This includes engaging with people accessing aged care services and their supporters to develop best-practice models and ensuring providers comply with the Code of Conduct for Aged Care and other obligations.
The Quality Standards Resource Centre also offers resources specifically for providing culturally safe aged care for First Nations older people. It shares important information with aged care providers about their responsibilities and the ACQSC's role as the national regulator. The centre promotes transparency and encourages individuals to raise concerns or make complaints about aged care services, as this can improve the quality of care and help others with similar issues.
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First Nations older people
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) is an Australian Government organisation that aims to protect and improve the safety, health, and overall quality of life of older individuals receiving aged care. The ACQSC provides support for people receiving aged care, their families, and their carers. It also offers guidance to workers in delivering safe and quality aged care.
In the spirit of reconciliation, the ACQSC acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, water, and community. The Commission has developed resources to provide culturally safe aged care for First Nations older people. This includes sharing important information with aged care providers about their responsibilities and any changes affecting the aged care sector.
First Nations people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, have a younger population structure than non-Indigenous Australians due to higher fertility rates and younger death rates. However, the First Nations population is ageing, and access to aged care services is determined by need rather than age. The Australian Government has recognised the specific needs of First Nations older people when accessing aged care, and has published Actions to Support Older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, developed under the Aged Care Diversity Framework.
To address these needs, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Program (NATSIFAC) funds culturally safe aged care. This includes services that allow individuals to remain in their homes, close to their families and communities, such as support with cleaning, cooking, bathing, social activities, gardening, and transportation. It also includes access to ageing support equipment and home safety modifications. For those with greater health needs, residential care support is also available.
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Frequently asked questions
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is the national regulator of funded aged care services in Australia. It is responsible for monitoring how providers of aged care homes meet the requirements of the Quality Standards.
The ACQSC protects and enhances the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life of people receiving aged care. It also provides support for people receiving aged care, their families, and carers. The ACQSC also offers guidance and support for workers in delivering safe, quality aged care.
The Aged Care Quality Standards define what quality care looks like and are designed to improve care outcomes. They set clear expectations for providers in delivering quality aged care.
The Inspector-General of Aged Care is an independent statutory agency that provides oversight of the Australian Government's administration, governance, and regulation of aged care. The Inspector-General identifies what works, highlights serious issues, and makes recommendations to promote dignity, human rights, and quality care.
