The landscape of aged care in Australia is set for a major shift with the introduction of the Strengthened Quality Standards on 1 July.
These new standards, rolled out alongside the updated Aged Care Act, build upon the existing framework to ensure that aged care providers deliver high-quality, person-centred care.
While the principles behind these changes aim to enhance care and accountability, there remains a significant gap in awareness and understanding among frontline staff.
A recent Hello Leaders poll revealed that nearly two-thirds of aged care workers feel unprepared for the changes, having received little to no training or information about them.
The revised Quality Standards put the individual at the core of care, with Standard 1 explicitly focusing on the person receiving care. The remaining six standards address critical areas including governance, service provision, clinical care, food and nutrition, and the living environment.
Notably, Standard 7 introduces a stronger emphasis on the residential community, reinforcing the importance of social connections in aged care settings.
Despite these well-intentioned reforms, many aged care workers remain uninformed about what the changes mean for their day-to-day responsibilities. Kathy Kirby, Director of Thrive Aged Care Consultants and an experienced Registered Nurse, believes that a key issue lies in how information is communicated to staff.
According to Ms Kirby, a common pitfall in aged care is the top-down approach to implementing change.
“Providers put a lot of effort into compliance and planning at the leadership level but often fail to engage the workforce in a meaningful way. When staff aren’t included in the ‘why’ behind these changes, they’re left to figure out the ‘how’ on their own – often with unrealistic expectations placed upon them,” she explains.
This lack of engagement results in confusion and resistance, making it difficult to embed long-term improvements in care practices. Ms Kirby highlights education as a crucial, yet frequently overlooked, aspect of regulatory change.
“Personal carers make up a significant portion of the aged care workforce, yet they are rarely provided with comprehensive training on new standards. Education is fundamental to the Strengthened Quality Standards, and we need to do better in this area,” she says.
The rapid pace of reform has left many aged care providers struggling to keep up. While the initial wave of changes primarily impacted residential aged care, the focus has now expanded to home care services, with the introduction of the Support at Home program and an expanded set of Quality Indicators.
Kate Lamont, an Occupational Therapist and co-director at Thrive Aged Care Consultants, acknowledges that these changes have created a sense of urgency, but she also sees an opportunity.
“There is definitely more awareness and preparation this year, and even some excitement about how these changes could improve care. That said, many providers remain apprehensive—especially those facing an audit soon after 1 July,” Ms Lamont says.
Thrive is optimistic that the Strengthened Standards will provide clearer guidance for providers and their staff. However, Ms Kirby stresses that compliance should not be the only goal.
“These standards set the minimum benchmark, but providers should be aiming higher. The emphasis on areas like dementia care and frailty assessment is a significant shift, and it requires a proactive approach,” she says.
With the July deadline fast approaching, Ms Kirby warns against a ‘tick-box’ approach to training. Simply holding a one-off meeting or sending an email is not enough to ensure staff understand and integrate the new requirements into their daily practice. She cites continence care as an example of where assumptions about staff knowledge can lead to poor outcomes.
“Many providers believe they offer high-quality continence care, but in reality, there’s often a lack of understanding around individualised approaches. It’s not just about having a care plan—it’s about ensuring staff truly understand why certain interventions are in place and how to apply them effectively,” she explains.
To navigate these changes successfully, Thrive recommends a structured approach:
The introduction of the Strengthened Quality Standards represents a significant step forward for aged care in Australia. However, their success depends on how well providers communicate these changes and support their workforce through the transition.
Ms Lamont urges providers to take a measured approach.
“There’s no need to overhaul everything at once. Keep it simple, focus on priority areas, and ensure staff feel supported rather than overwhelmed,” she advises.
With clear communication, structured training, and a culture of continuous improvement, aged care providers can not only meet regulatory requirements but also elevate the standard of care for older Australians.
Can I please offer some assistance. I am a Wound Care Consultant / RN and saw residents in about 200 facilities before Covid. I have produced > 20 Podcasts, all free, on aged care, nursing, OH&S, infection control, preventing pressure ulcers, sleep deprivation and more. If you go to Google and search for ‘The Wound Centre’ on Spotify or iHeart you will see a turquoise art tile with 5 nurses dressed in 1960’s nurses’ uniforms (I trained in the 1960’s! I have made all the Podcasts short… average 7-10 minutes … so that care staff can listen without having to read hundreds of pages of policies. I release the Podcasts every Tuesday at 9am Sydney time and once released they are available forever. I provide references in the show notes. I have a PhD on pressure ulcers and several peer reviewed publications.