Aged Care Act 2024 Compliance Checklist: Is Your Documentation Audit-Ready?

The Aged Care Act 2024: What Changed for Documentation?

The Aged Care Act 2024 introduced the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, which significantly increased the documentation requirements on aged care providers. The shift from task-based to outcomes-based documentation means assessors now want to see evidence that care made a difference in each resident's life — not just that care was delivered.

This compliance checklist will help you assess whether your facility's documentation systems are aligned with the Act's requirements. Use it to identify gaps before an accreditation assessment.

Strengthened Quality Standard #1: Person-Centred Care and Service Delivery

Documentation requirements:

• ☐ Individualized care plans that are person-centred and regularly reviewed (at least annually or when needs change)
• ☐ Progress notes document how care was tailored to the person's preferences, values, and cultural needs
• ☐ Evidence that the resident and family were consulted in care planning
• ☐ Notes include specific detail about the individual — not generic task descriptions
• ☐ Documentation respects the resident's cultural identity and life story
• ☐ Notes evidence resident choice and autonomy in care decisions

Strengthened Quality Standard #2: Ongoing Assessment and Planning of Care

Documentation requirements:

• ☐ Initial comprehensive assessments completed on admission (physical, cognitive, functional, psychosocial)
• ☐ Regular reassessment documented (e.g., quarterly, or when condition changes)
• ☐ Care plan updates reflect changes in assessed needs
• ☐ Evidence of monitoring and review against care plan goals
• ☐ Multi-disciplinary team involvement documented (where applicable)
• ☐ Progress toward identified care goals is tracked in progress notes

Strengthened Quality Standard #3: Safe and Effective Care and Services

Documentation requirements:

• ☐ Risk assessments documented (falls, skin integrity, nutrition, medication, social, mental health)
• ☐ Risk mitigation strategies documented in care plans
• ☐ Progress notes evidence that risks were monitored and mitigated
• ☐ Incident and accident reports completed and filed properly
• ☐ Response to incidents documented with follow-up actions and outcomes
• ☐ Medication administration records complete and accurate
• ☐ Clinical observations (vital signs, wound care, continence management) documented regularly

Strengthened Quality Standard #4: Respectful and Inclusive Engagement and Decision-Making

Documentation requirements:

• ☐ Resident and family feedback is documented and acted upon
• ☐ Complaints and grievances are logged, investigated, and documented
• ☐ Evidence that residents are involved in decisions about their care
• ☐ Consent for treatment or support is documented
• ☐ Progress notes show dignity, respect, and inclusion in all interactions
• ☐ Communication with residents and families is documented

Strengthened Quality Standard #5: Safe, Clean and Homelike Environment

Documentation requirements:

• ☐ Maintenance and safety inspection logs
• ☐ Cleaning and hygiene standards documented
• ☐ Environmental safety assessments and improvements documented
• ☐ Resident feedback on the environment is documented

Strengthened Quality Standard #6: Governance, Leadership and Accountability

Documentation requirements:

• ☐ Board governance records and meeting minutes
• ☐ Evidence of board oversight of care quality and compliance
• ☐ Management policies and procedures documented and accessible to staff
• ☐ Staff training records (compliance, safeguarding, care documentation)
• ☐ Performance reviews and development plans for clinical staff
• ☐ Quality assurance audits and improvement plans documented
• ☐ SIRS reports submitted to the Commission and documented internally

Strengthened Quality Standard #7: Compliance with Responsibilities Under the Aged Care Act 2024

Documentation requirements:

• ☐ Resident rights information provided and documented
• ☐ Policies on privacy, confidentiality, and information management
• ☐ Consumer advocate contact information provided to residents and families
• ☐ Evidence of compliance with mandatory reporting obligations
• ☐ Data security and retention policies documented

Scoring Your Audit Readiness

If you checked ☐ for 85-100% of items: Your documentation systems are strong and well-aligned with the Strengthened Quality Standards. Continue regular staff training and periodic file audits to maintain compliance.

If you checked ☐ for 70-85% of items: You have a solid foundation but should address gaps in specific areas. Prioritize training in the standards where you scored lowest.

If you checked ☐ for below 70% of items: Significant documentation gaps exist. Consider implementing a documentation software solution and comprehensive staff training program before accreditation.

Next Steps

Use this checklist to identify your top 3 priority areas for improvement. For each area, outline specific staff training, process changes, or system updates needed. Set realistic timelines and assign ownership.

The goal is not perfection — accreditors understand that providers are human and mistakes happen. The goal is to demonstrate a clear, good-faith effort to meet the Quality Standards through documented systems and practices.

This article was written by AccuNote's Regulatory Affairs Team, which monitors Aged Care Act 2024 requirements and helps providers prepare for accreditation assessments through practical compliance guidance and assessment tools.