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Quality in aged care

The quality of care plays an integral role in the quality of life and outcomes for people using aged care in Australia. The quality of Australian Government-funded aged care is assessed against a set of quality standards by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC). As well as these standards, since 1 July 2019 residential aged care homes must also participate in the National Aged Care Quality Indicator Program (QI Program).

Last updated: 12 February 2026

Residential Aged Care Quality Indicators

Quality indicators measure aspects of service provision that contribute to the quality of care given by residential aged care homes. Since 1 July 2019, participation in the QI Program has been a requirement for all Australian Government-subsidised residential aged care homes. Until 30 June 2021, the QI Program included 3 quality indicators (pressure injuries, physical restraint, and unplanned weight loss). This suite has since been expanded three times, with 2 additional indicators added in July 2021, a further 6 indicators added in April 2023, and 3 new staffing quality indicators added in April 2025. The current 14 quality indicators include:

  • Quality Indicator 1: Pressure injuries
  • Quality Indicator 2: Restrictive practices
  • Quality Indicator 3: Falls and major injury
  • Quality Indicator 4: Unplanned weight loss
  • Quality Indicator 5: Medication management
  • Quality Indicator 6: Activities of daily living
  • Quality Indicator 7: Incontinence care
  • Quality Indicator 8: Hospitalisation
  • Quality Indicator 9: Workforce
  • Quality Indicator 10: Consumer experience
  • Quality Indicator 11: Quality of life
  • Quality Indicator 12: Enrolled nursing
  • Quality Indicator 13: Allied health
  • Quality Indicator 14: Lifestyle officers

For more information about the QI Program, see the National Aged Care Quality Indicator Program Manual – Part A (QI Program Manual).

The AIHW releases results from the QI Program on a quarterly basis. From 2019–20 financial year to 2023–24 financial year, the AIHW also published the QI Program quarterly data as an annual report. With improvements in the quality and completeness, and timeliness of data supplied by residential aged care homes each quarter, it is no longer necessary to update quarterly QI Program results on an annual basis. The latest results, and previous releases, can be viewed in the following pages:

Information about the compilation of quality indicators, including data quality, is available in the Technical notes for each report.

Residents' Experience Survey

The experiences of older people living in aged care provide important insights into the quality of services they access. The Residents’ Experience Survey enables aged care residents to provide feedback about their experience of living in a residential aged care home. The results help determine residential aged care homes’ Star Rating, and helps providers identify how they can improve their services.

The Residents’ Experience Survey is an annual survey that is conducted face to face with residents at aged care homes across Australia by an independent third-party on the behalf of the Australian Government. It is completely voluntary. For more information about the Residents' Experience Survey, see Residents' Experience Survey on Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Trained surveyors ask participating residents 14 questions on different topics, including:

    • staff knowledge
    • communication
    • quality care
    • food
    • ways a residential aged care home can improve.

Residents’ Experience Report – standard questions and response categories
The 12 Likert scale questions are:

Q1: Do staff treat you with respect?
Q2: Do you feel safe here?
Q3: Is this place well run?
Q4: Do you get the care you need?
Q5: Do staff know what they are doing?
Q6: Are you encouraged to do as much as possible for yourself?
Q7: Do staff explain things to you?
Q8: Do you like the food here?
Q9: Do staff follow up when you raise things with them?
Q10: Are staff kind and caring?
Q11: Do you have a say in your daily activities?
Q12: How likely are you to recommend this residential aged care home to someone?
Response categories: Never / Some of the time / Most of the time / Always

The 2 open-response questions are:

Q13: What would you say is the best thing about this service?
Q14: What is one thing you would suggest as an improvement at this service?

2024 Residents’ Experience Survey results for each service are published alongside their Star Ratings and other information on My Aged Care website.