Preparing for the New Aged Care Standards: Strengthening Infection Prevention & Control at Organisational and Facility Levels

Ellie Golling & Luci Rodda

With the new Aged Care Quality Standards on the horizon, infection prevention and control (IPC) remains a top priority. These standards are placing greater emphasis on governance, accountability, and proactive risk management, requiring aged care providers to demonstrate maturity and readiness in their IPC programs.

But what does IPC maturity look like in practice? And how can organisations and facilities assess their preparedness for the incoming standards?

At Bridging the Gap – Care Governance Quality, we help aged care providers move beyond compliance toward sustainable, high-quality infection prevention strategies. This article breaks down IPC readiness at both the organisational and facility levels—because a strong, well-governed IPC program requires action at both tiers.

What’s Changing with the New Aged Care Quality Standards?

The upcoming revised Aged Care Quality Standards introduce clearer expectations for IPC across all services. Some of the key shifts include:

🔹 Stronger governance and accountability – Providers will need to demonstrate board-level oversight of IPC risks.

🔹 Enhanced risk management – Infection control will be embedded within an organisation-wide risk framework, requiring ongoing assessment and proactive action.

🔹 Staff competency requirements – Workforce training and assessment in standard and transmission-based precautions will be mandatory.

🔹 Resident engagement in IPC – Providers will need to show how residents and families are included in IPC decision-making.

🔹 Data-driven improvement – Expect greater emphasis on monitoring, reporting, and using IPC data to drive continuous improvement.

These updates mean that aged care organisations must go beyond policies and procedures—they need strong leadership, data-driven decision-making, and an embedded culture of IPC excellence at all levels.

Assessing IPC Maturity: Organisational vs Facility-Level Readiness

To prepare for the new standards, it’s essential to assess IPC maturity separately at both the aged care organisation level and aged care facility level.

Here’s how these levels differ and what you should be looking for:

	Aged Care Organisation (Governance & Strategy)	Aged Care Facility (Implementation & Compliance)
Governance & Oversight	Board-level oversight, and executive accountability for IPC policies.	Facility-level IPC leadership (e.g., Infection Prevention Lead).
Policy & Risk Framework	Centralised IPC policies, risk assessment tools, and organisation-wide governance.	Localised implementation of IPC protocols, tailored to the facility’s needs.
Workforce Training	Organisation-wide IPC education program, ensuring compliance across multiple sites.	Facility-level staff competency assessments in hand hygiene, PPE use, and outbreak management.
Resource Allocation	Budgeting for IPC resources across multiple facilities, ensuring adequate funding and staffing.	Day-to-day resource management (PPE availability, staffing for cleaning and infection control roles).
Surveillance & Data	Organisation-wide tracking of infection rates, audit results, and quality improvement projects.	Facility-level infection surveillance, reporting, and immediate response to IPC concerns.
Outbreak Management	High-level outbreak preparedness planning and organisation-wide response coordination.	On-the-ground outbreak containment, response drills, and real-time implementation of protocols.
Resident & Family Involvement	Organisation-wide IPC communication strategy, ensuring transparency and engagement.	Direct resident and visitor education on IPC measures, including personal hygiene and outbreak response.

How to Measure Your IPC Readiness for the New Standards

To prepare for the new Aged Care Quality Standards, providers must assess, benchmark, and improve their IPC maturity at both the organisational and facility levels.

1. Conduct an IPC Maturity Self-Assessment

✅ At the Organisational Level:

• Is IPC governed at the executive/board level with clear oversight?

• Are IPC policies consistent across all facilities and aligned with national guidelines?

• Are IPC risks identified, monitored, and acted upon at the governance level?

✅ At the Facility Level:

• Is there a designated IPC Lead with clear responsibilities?

• Are staff competent in infection control practices through regular education and assessment?

• Is infection surveillance actively monitored, and is there a clear outbreak response plan?

  
  

2. Benchmark IPC Performance

• Track infection rates, hand hygiene compliance, and PPE usage across all facilities.

• Compare data across facilities to identify variability and areas for improvement.

• Use audit results and resident feedback to refine IPC strategies.

  
  

3. Strengthen IPC Governance and Leadership

• Establish regular IPC reporting to the board/executive team.

• Ensure IPC roles are well-defined and integrated into leadership structures.

• Develop an IPC training framework that supports both executive decision-makers and frontline staff.

  
  

4. Improve Resident & Family Engagement in IPC

• Implement clear, accessible IPC communication for residents and visitors.

• Encourage resident involvement in infection prevention strategies through co-designed initiatives.

• Ensure families are informed and engaged in outbreak responses when necessary.

Next Steps: Building a Future-Proof IPC Program

With the new Aged Care Quality Standards approaching, now is the time to assess, refine, and strengthen your IPC program. Whether you’re leading an aged care organisation or managing an individual facility, ensuring a mature, well-integrated IPC approach will not only support compliance—it will drive better resident outcomes, reduced infection risks, and a stronger safety culture.

🔹 Need help assessing your IPC maturity? Our team at Bridging the Gap – Care Governance Quality, specialises in practical, evidence-based infection prevention strategies for aged care providers.

📩 Get in touch today to discuss how we can support your organisation in achieving IPC excellence under the new standards!