Aged Care Glossary

The process by which the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission assesses whether an aged care home meets the required Aged Care Quality Standards. Homes are accredited for up to three years, though accreditation status can be changed at any time if there is a risk to the health, safety or wellbeing of a resident. For more information visit the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Routine tasks necessary to manage everyday needs, including walking and moving around, eating, dressing, personal hygiene and toileting. The level of assistance a resident requires with ADLs is a key factor in determining care funding under the AN-ACC classification system.

The Commonwealth legislation that governs government-funded aged care in Australia. It came into force on 1 November 2025, replacing the Aged Care Act 1997. It introduces a rights-based framework placing older people's rights at the centre of the aged care system, with strengthened obligations for providers and direct accountability for executives and directors. Full text available at legislation.gov.au.

The independent government body responsible for regulating aged care providers in Australia. Under the new Aged Care Act 2024, the Commission has expanded powers including the ability to enter facilities without notice in emergency situations and issue banning orders for non-compliant workers. Visit agedcarequality.gov.au for resources and guidance.

A set of legally enforceable standards that all government-funded aged care providers must meet. Strengthened under the Aged Care Act 2024, the Quality Standards set expectations across safety, dignity, clinical care and person-centred services. Providers must demonstrate compliance continuously — not just at audit time. Read the full standards at agedcarequality.gov.au.

Health professionals who are not part of the medical, dental or nursing professions but who are university-qualified with specialised expertise in preventing, diagnosing and treating a range of conditions. Allied health professionals working in aged care include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, speech pathologists and podiatrists.

The funding classification system used from 1 October 2022 to determine how much government funding a residential aged care provider receives for each resident. AN-ACC replaced the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI). Residents are classified based on their assessed care needs, and providers receive a daily subsidy based on that classification. More at AIHW.

An individual who speaks and acts with or on behalf of an older person to promote, protect and defend their rights. Under the Aged Care Act 2024 Statement of Rights, older people have the right to engage an advocate of their choice to represent their rights and interests with their aged care provider. Family members, registered supporters, carers and friends can all act as advocates.

A contribution towards everyday living costs such as meals, laundry and cleaning that all residents in government-funded residential aged care may be asked to pay. The maximum Basic Daily Fee is set by the Australian Government at 85% of the single basic Age Pension and is reviewed twice a year on 20 March and 20 September. More at My Aged Care.

An order issued by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission that prohibits a person from working in aged care. Banning orders can be issued where the Commission determines a worker or provider is not suitable for example due to serious misconduct or a breach of the Code of Conduct. Learn more at agedcarequality.gov.au.

A documented plan that outlines strategies to address behaviours of concern in aged care residents, including any use of restrictive practices. Under the Aged Care Rules 2025, providers must have behaviour support plans in place where restrictive practices are used, and must regularly review and revise these plans. Full requirements in the Aged Care Rules 2025.

A government-funded program providing entry-level support services to help older Australians (aged 65 and over, or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) continue living independently at home. Services include domestic assistance, personal care, meals, transport and social support. More at My Aged Care.

A document that details the goals, agreed actions and discussion outcomes for a care recipient or resident. Under the Aged Care Act 2024, assessors must ask residents or their supporters to acknowledge their care or support plan meaning they know its content, though this does not constitute consent. More at My Aged Care.

A financial penalty imposed on a provider or individual for breaching obligations under the Aged Care Act 2024. Civil penalties can be imposed on individual executives and directors not just organisations making personal compliance accountability a legal reality. See the Commission's enforcement policy at agedcarequality.gov.au.

A set of legally enforceable behavioural standards for all aged care workers and providers under the Aged Care Act 2024. The Code sets clear expectations about how workers must behave when delivering care, and gives the Commission stronger powers to respond when breached including issuing banning orders. Full details at agedcarequality.gov.au.

Under the Aged Care Act 2024, older people have the right to raise concerns or make a complaint about their care without fear of reprisal. Complaints can be made to the provider directly or to the Commission on 1800 951 822. See agedcarequality.gov.au for how to raise a concern.

Meeting all obligations under the Aged Care Act 2024, Aged Care Rules 2025 and Aged Care Quality Standards. The Commission takes a risk-based approach to monitoring compliance, with proportionate enforcement responses ranging from improvement notices through to civil penalties. See the compliance policy at agedcarequality.gov.au.

The practice of monitoring critical systems and care processes on an ongoing 24/7 basis rather than at periodic intervals. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission expects providers to demonstrate continuous compliance not just at audit time. Continuous monitoring of critical systems such as nurse call is essential to meeting safety obligations under the new Quality Standards.

A rental-type daily payment option for accommodation costs in a government-subsidised residential aged care home. Calculated using the Maximum Permissible Interest Rate (MPIR) set by the Australian Government, reviewed quarterly. More at My Aged Care.

A broad term for a group of progressive conditions that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities. Dementia is one of the most common reasons Australians access residential aged care. Providers supporting residents with dementia must demonstrate specific care approaches under the strengthened Quality Standards.

The legal and ethical obligation of aged care providers to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to residents. Under the Aged Care Act 2024, the provider duty requires providers to implement robust safeguards against practices that could harm residents. Executives and directors face personal civil liability for failures. Read about the new Act at health.gov.au.

A fee introduced from 1 November 2025 replacing previous additional and extra service fees in residential aged care. Covers services and amenities beyond basic care requirements. More at My Aged Care.

The person responsible for the day-to-day operational management of a residential aged care facility. Under the Aged Care Act 2024, facility managers classified as "responsible persons" carry heightened compliance duties and can face personal civil penalties for breaches including ensuring critical systems operate reliably and maintaining incident records. See our Aged Care Act 2024 guide for what this means in practice.

A government-subsidised package of services providing round-the-clock personal care and support to help older people remain living at home. Available at four levels Level 1 (basic) through to Level 4 (high). From 1 November 2025, transitioned to the new Support at Home program. More at My Aged Care.

A formal agreement between a home care provider and an older person receiving home care services, setting out the services to be provided, the associated costs and the rights and responsibilities of each party. Under the Aged Care Act 2024, existing home care agreements automatically became service agreements when the new Support at Home program commenced.

A documented system that aged care providers must maintain to identify, record, manage, resolve and prevent recurrence of incidents. Required under SIRS, the IMS must capture all reportable incidents and near-misses. See the SIRS quick guide at agedcarequality.gov.au.

The assessment tool used from 1 July 2024 for aged care needs assessments, replacing previous separate tools as part of the Single Assessment System. More at AIHW.

A network of interconnected electronic devices and sensors that collect and share data in real time via the internet. In aged care, IoT technology enables continuous monitoring of critical systems including nurse call, CCTV, access control, temperature sensors and duress alarms — providing facility managers with real-time visibility over the safety and operation of their entire site.

The Australian Government's central point of access for aged care information, assessment and providers. Visit myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422.

An assessment of an older person's income and assets used to determine their contribution to aged care costs. Services Australia conducts means tests for residential aged care and some home care. More at My Aged Care.

An electronic system that allows residents to alert nursing and care staff when they need assistance. A failure particularly if undetected represents a serious safety risk and compliance breach under the Aged Care Act 2024. Read about provider obligations at health.gov.au.

Failure to meet obligations under the Aged Care Act 2024, Aged Care Rules 2025 or Aged Care Quality Standards. Responses may include improvement notices, banning orders and civil penalties including against individual executives and directors. See the enforcement policy at agedcarequality.gov.au.

Specialised care focused on improving the quality of life for residents who are approaching the end of life. Palliative care involves managing pain and other symptoms, providing emotional and psychological support, and supporting family members. Aged care providers have specific obligations under the Quality Standards in relation to end-of-life care planning and delivery.

An organisation or individual registered under the Aged Care Act 2024 to deliver government-funded aged care services. All providers must be registered with the Commission, and their executives and directors are personally accountable for compliance failures. See provider resources at agedcarequality.gov.au.

A requirement under the Aged Care Act 2024 for providers to implement robust safeguards against practices that could harm the health, safety or wellbeing of residents proactively identifying and addressing risks, not simply responding after incidents. Full legislative text at legislation.gov.au.

See Aged Care Quality Standards. The strengthened Quality Standards under the Aged Care Act 2024 set higher expectations across safety, dignity, clinical care and person-centred services. All providers must demonstrate continuous compliance. Full standards at agedcarequality.gov.au.

A lump-sum payment for accommodation costs in a government-subsidised residential aged care home. The RAD is refunded when a resident leaves. Residents can pay as a RAD, DAP or combination. More at My Aged Care.

A person formally registered in the My Aged Care system to support an older person with their aged care journey receiving information about their care, helping make decisions and communicating with providers on their behalf. More at My Aged Care.

An incident providers must report to the Commission under SIRS including unexpected deaths, serious injuries, abuse and neglect. Priority incidents must be reported within strict timeframes. See the SIRS quick guide at agedcarequality.gov.au.

Short-term care provided in a facility or at home to give carers a break. Can be planned or emergency. Government-funded respite is available through My Aged Care.

Any practice that restricts the rights or freedom of movement of a resident. The Aged Care Rules 2025 impose strict requirements on providers before, during and after any use of restrictive practices, including a behaviour support plan. Full requirements at legislation.gov.au.

A major government inquiry held 2018–2021 that found widespread neglect and abuse in aged care and made 148 recommendations for reform directly leading to the Aged Care Act 2024. Official resources at health.gov.au.

A new obligation under the Aged Care Act 2024 holding directors and executives personally accountable for compliance failures. Serious civil penalties now apply to individual leaders. Read about the new Act at health.gov.au.

A national framework requiring providers to prevent, manage and report serious incidents. Updated under the Aged Care Act 2024 from 1 November 2025. Quick guide at agedcarequality.gov.au.

A fundamental legal right guaranteeing permanent residents a secure place to live in residential aged care, preventing removal without a legally defined reason. If a provider needs to ask a resident to leave, they must first find suitable alternative accommodation. See resident rights at agedcarequality.gov.au.

The unified assessment workforce that from 9 December 2024 consolidated the roles of RAS, ACAT and AN-ACC assessors, using the Integrated Assessment Tool. More at AIHW.

A document aged care homes must maintain and publish, detailing types of nursing and non-nursing staff, staff numbers, staff-to-resident ratios and time spent caring for residents. More at My Aged Care.

A legally enforceable document introduced by the Aged Care Act 2024 outlining the rights of older people — including independence, privacy, safe care and the right to raise concerns without reprisal. Replaced the Charter of Aged Care Rights on 1 November 2025. Read it at health.gov.au.

The new home care program launched 1 November 2025, replacing Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care — providing more flexible, person-centred support. More at My Aged Care.

The process of supporting older people to make and communicate their own decisions. Under the Aged Care Act 2024, older people are presumed capable of making their own decisions, and providers must support this right. More at My Aged Care.

A person who visits older people in funded aged care to provide companionship and social support — particularly for those who are socially isolated. Volunteer visitors may receive government funding from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. More at agedcarequality.gov.au.

The process of checking worker suitability for aged care. Updated arrangements came into effect from 1 November 2025. Guidance at health.gov.au.

Under the Aged Care Act 2024, any person a registered provider employs or engages — including volunteers and contractors — to deliver funded aged care services. Workers are subject to the Code of Conduct. Full definition at agedcarequality.gov.au.