Integrated Health and Aged Care Service Module
The Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module supports approved Commonwealth-funded integrated health and aged care services to streamline the process of meeting the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards and the Aged Care Quality Standards in a single assessment process.
Overview
Integrated health and aged care services deliver both healthcare services and aged care services. This may include acute, emergency, sub-acute, community and primary healthcare as well as residential, respite and home-based aged care services.
Organisations delivering Commonwealth-funded aged care services must conform with the Aged Care Quality Standards, as applicable to their service type. Organisations delivering the Commonwealth’s Multi-Purpose Services Program (MPSP) must also meet the Commission’s National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS Standards).
The Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module enables organisations to meet the requirements of the NSQHS Standards and the Aged Care Quality Standards in a single assessment process.
Download the Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module and User Guide
Accreditation
Service providers must complete an assessment to achieve accreditation. Assessors from an independent accrediting agency can be engaged to test if you are meeting the standards and determine if you meet requirements for the award of accreditation.
The assessment process follows the same process for the NSQHS Standards, which is described on our accreditation page.
The outcomes of assessments are submitted to the Commission, to state and territory health regulators, and to the aged care regulator.
If you have queries about the Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module or the assessment process, please contact our Safety and Quality Advice Centre.
Implementation resources
We have developed a monitoring tool that allows you to track progress in meeting the requirements of the Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module.
Download the monitoring tool for the Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module
We have also collated resources that are relevant to each module item in the Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module.
These resources are suggestions and the list is not intended to be exhaustive, and we welcome suggestions if you have resources you think could be added.
Module item 1: Person-centred care
| Title | Author | Sub-topic | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Care Diversity Framework action plans for aged care providers and consumers | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Diversity | Guidance |
|
| Ageing and communication | Speech Pathology Australia | Communication needs | Guidance |
|
| Creating social connections: practical tips for care workers | Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) | Social connections | Practice tips |
|
| Cultural safety in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care | South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute | First Nations | Training resources |
|
| Evidence themes: Person-centred approach | Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) | Person-centred care | Resource collection |
|
| Evidence themes: social isolation | Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) | Social connections | Resource collection |
|
| Inclusive Service Standards | Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing | Diversity | Guidance |
|
| Integrated Trauma-Informed Care Framework: My story, my health, my future | NSW Health | Trauma-informed care | Guidance |
|
| NSQHS Standards user guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health | The Commission | First Nations | Guidance |
|
| Person-centred care tools and resources for aged care | Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care | Person-centred care | Resource collection |
|
| RACGP Aged Care Clinical Guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Care of older LGBTI people | Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) | Needs of specific groups | Guidance |
|
| RACGP Aged Care Clinical Guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Care of older veterans | Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) | Needs of specific groups | Guidance |
|
| RACGP Aged Care Clinical Guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Disability in aged care | Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) | Needs of specific groups | Guidance |
|
| RACGP Aged Care Clinical Guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Multiculturalism in aged care | Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) | Needs of specific groups | Guidance |
|
| RACGP Aged Care Clinical Guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) | First Nations | Guidance |
|
| Relationships, intimacy and dementia topic guide | Dementia Australia | Social connections | Resource collection |
|
| Silver Rainbow factsheets to support older LGBTI people | LGBTIQ+ Health Australia | Needs of specific groups | Guidance | Aged care workers |
| Tips for careworkers: Culturally responsive care - communication | PalliAGED | Cultural safety | Practice tips |
|
| Tips for careworkers: First Australians - communication | PalliAGED | First Nations | Practice tips |
|
| Trauma and aged care – Support and Information Hub | Phoenix Australia | Trauma-informed care | Resource collection |
|
| Trauma-informed Care and Practice Organisational Toolkit (TIPCOT) | Mental Health Coordinating Council | Trauma-informed care | Resource collection |
|
| What is Person-Centred Care? | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Person-centred care | Consumer information |
|
| Who’s Missing? Planning for Diversity training | Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) | Diversity | Training resources |
|
Module Item 2: Dignity, respect and privacy
| Title | Author | Sub-topic | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedrooms and privacy | Victorian Department of Health | Privacy | Guidance |
|
| Code of Conduct for Aged Care | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Legislative requirements | Website |
|
| Elder abuse knowledge hub | Compass | Abuse | Resource collection |
|
| Elder Abuse Prevention | Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria | Abuse | Resource collection |
|
| Privacy and safety in aged care | Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) | Privacy | Resource collection |
|
| Protecting the Rights of Older Australians | Attorney-General's Department | Older people's rights | Website |
|
| Respecting the privacy and dignity of clients | Ausmed | Privacy | Guidance |
|
| Serious Incident Response Scheme | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Legislative requirements | Website |
|
| Working with older people | Seniors' Rights Victoria | Older people's rights | Guidance |
|
| Your Aged Care Rights | Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) | Older people's rights | Consumer information |
|
Module Item 3: Choice, independence and quality of life
| Title | Author | Sub-topic | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A new registered supporter role for aged care | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Legislative requirements | Website |
|
| ACT Capacity Toolkit: A guide for assessing capacity | Legal Aid ACT | Capacity | Resource collection |
|
| Dignity and Quality of Life | PalliAGED | Quality of life, palliative care | Resource collection |
|
| Dignity of risk | Ausmed | Dignity of risk | Resource collection |
|
| Evidence theme: Goal setting | Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) | Quality of life | Resource collection |
|
| Frequently asked questions about consent | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Informed consent, restrictive practices | Guidance |
|
| How an aged care advocate can help you | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Advocates | Consumer information |
|
| How to support everyday decision-making for people living with dementia in residential aged care: A guide for care workers | Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration | Decision making | Guidance |
|
| Informed consent in health care | The Commission | Informed consent | Guidance |
|
| Positive risk taking: A rights-based approach to risk | Australian Journal of Dementia Care | Dignity of risk | Resource collection |
|
| Seeking support from an advocate | My Aged Care | Advocates | Consumer information |
|
| Supported decision-making | Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) | Decision making | Consumer information |
|
| Supporting Decision-Making: A Guide for people living with dementia, family members and carers | Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre | Decision making | Guidance |
|
| Supporting someone who may have decision making problems | Seniors Rights Victoria | Decision making | Guidance |
|
| What is dignity of risk? Consumer resources | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Dignity of risk | Consumer information |
|
Module Item 4: Agreements, fees, pricing, invoicing and statements
| Title | Author | Sub-topic | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charging for Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) Program services | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Charging | Website |
|
| Responsibilities of Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) Program providers | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Legislated requirements | Website |
|
| How to set up your new service | My Aged Care | Agreements | Consumer information |
|
| Aged care agreements | Seniors Rights Service | Agreements | Consumer information |
|
| Self-advocacy toolkit: Aged care costs | Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) | Costs | Consumer information |
|
Module Item 5: Workforce and human resource management
| Title | Author | Sub-topic | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code of Conduct for Aged Care | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Legislated requirement | Website |
|
| Making sure your workers can work in aged care | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Legislated requirement | Website |
|
| Code of Conduct for Care Workers | Australian College of Care Workers | Worker conduct | Guidance |
|
| Aged Care Learning Information Solution (ALIS) – online training platform | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Worker training | Training resources |
|
| Dementia Training Australia | Dementia Training Australia | Worker training | Training resources |
|
| Introduction to Aged Care – videos and facilitator guides | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Worker training | Training resources |
|
| Self-care and staff burnout - resources | Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) | Worker wellbeing | Resource collection |
|
| Workforce retention - resources | Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) | Worker wellbeing | Resource collection |
|
| Self-care room for aged care workers | End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) | Worker wellbeing | Resource collection |
|
Module Item 6: Emergency and disaster management
| Title | Author | Sub-topic | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service continuity and emergency events in aged care | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Service continuity | Guidance |
|
| Emergency plans and procedures | Safe Work Australia | Planning | Guidance |
|
| Aged care emergency preparedness planning and support | Ageing Australia | Planning | Resource collection |
|
Module Item 7: Assessment and planning
| Title | Author | Sub-topic | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advance care planning and aged care | Advance Care Planning Australia | Advance care planning | Guidance |
|
| Advance Care Planning Storyboard and user guide | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Advance care planning | Consumer information |
|
| Assessment tools and resources for aged care | Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care | Comprehensive assessment | Resource collection |
|
| Comprehensive Care - Element 2: Identifying goals of care - Key actions for health service organisations | The Commission | Care planning | Guidance |
|
| Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Toolkit for Primary Care Practitioners | British Geriatrics Society | Comprehensive assessment | Tools |
|
| Conducting a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment | Department of Health, Victoria | Comprehensive assessment | Resource collection |
|
| Goal Planning Tool | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Care planning | Resource collection |
|
| Good Spirit Good Life assessment framework for older Aboriginal Australians | University of Western Australia | Comprehensive assessment | Resource collection |
|
| Knowledge Hub: Rehabilitation, reablement and restorative care | Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) | Reablement | Resource collection |
|
| Screening tools - mental health and wellbeing | Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) | Comprehensive assessment | Resource collection |
|
| What is wellness and reablement? | Keep Able | Reablement | Guidance |
|
Module Item 8: Delivering comprehensive care and services
| Title | Author | Sub-topic | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Action Plan for the National Dementia Education and Training Standards Framework | Dementia Training Australia | Cognitive impairment | Training resources |
|
| Ask Annie - Dementia training app for care workers | Dementia Australia | Cognitive impairment | Training resources |
|
| Behaviour Support Plans | Dementia Support Australia | Behaviour support plans | Guidance |
|
| Caring for Cognitive Impairment resources | The Commission | Cognitive impairment | Resource collection |
|
| Clinical Guidelines for Dementia | Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre | Cognitive impairment | Guidance |
|
| Comprehensive care - Element 5: Deliver comprehensive Care - Actions for health service organisations (Fact Sheet) | The Commission | Comprehensive care delivery | Guidance |
|
| Comprehensive Care - Element 6: Review and improve comprehensive care delivery - Key actions for health service organisations | The Commission | Comprehensive care delivery | Guidance |
|
| Delirium Clinical Care Standard | The Commission | Cognitive impairment | Guidance |
|
| Dementia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | Dementia Australia | Cognitive impairment | Consumer resources |
|
| Dementia information and support for aged care workers and health professionals | Dementia Australia | Cognitive impairment | Guidance |
|
| Dementia Support Australia - resource hub | Dementia Support Australia | Cognitive impairment | Resource collection |
|
| Dementia toolkit - palliative and end-of-life care | End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) | Cognitive impairment | Resource collection |
|
| Implementing the Comprehensive Care Standard: Essential elements for delivering comprehensive care | The Commission | Comprehensive care delivery | Guidance |
|
| Integrated care for older people: guidelines on community-level interventions to manage declines in intrinsic capacity | World Health Organization | Comprehensive care delivery | Guidance |
|
| Knowledge and implementation hub: Meaningful lifestyle activities | Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) | Quality of life | Resource collection |
|
| NSQHS Standards user guide for health service organisations providing care for patients with cognitive impairment or at risk of delirium | The Commission | Cognitive impairment | Guidance |
|
| RACGP Aged Care Clinical Guide (Silver Book) – Collaboration and multidisciplinary team-based care | Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) | Comprehensive care delivery | Guidance |
|
| Restrictive practices provider resources | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Restrictive practices | Resource collection |
|
| Understanding changed behaviours | Dementia Support Australia | Behaviour change | Resource collection |
|
Module Item 9: Clinical safety
| Title | Author | Sub-topic | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ageing and dual sensory loss | Deafblind Information Australia | Sensory impairment | Guidance |
|
| Better Oral Health - Residential Care | SA Health | Oral health | Guidance |
|
| Clinical care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples using aged care services - literature review | The Commission | Clinical care | Literature review |
|
| Clinical tools and resources - vision impairment | Vision Australia | Sensory impairment | Resource collection |
|
| Continence Foundation - Aged care resources | Continence Foundation of Australia | Continence | Resource collection |
|
| Electronic national residential medication chart | The Commission | Medication safety | Resource collection |
|
| Evidence theme - Mental Health and Wellbeing in Aged Care | Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) | Mental health | Resource collection |
|
| Food and Nutrition Manual for Aged Care Homes - Swallowing and food textures | Central Coast Local Health District | Swallowing and chewing | Guidance |
|
| Guiding Principles for Medication Management in Residential Aged Care | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Medication safety | Guidance |
|
| Guiding Principles for Medication Management in the Community | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Medication safety | Guidance |
|
| Guiding Principles to Achieve Continuity in Medication Management | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Medication safety | Guidance |
|
| Incontinence-associated dermatitis and pressure injury | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Continence | Guidance |
|
| Managing Risk Toolkit | End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) | Clinical risk | Resource collection |
|
| Mob Smiles - Oral health resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians | Australian Dental Association | Oral health | Consumer information |
|
| National Consensus Statement - Essential elements for recognising and responding to acute physiological deterioration | The Commission | Clinical risk | Guidance |
|
| National Consensus Statement - Essential elements for recognising and responding to deterioration in a person's mental state | The Commission | Clinical risk | Guidance |
|
| Nutrition and texture modified food and drinks: eating and drinking when you have problems with swallowing | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission | Swallowing and chewing | Consumer information |
|
| Pain in residential aged care facilities: Management strategies - resources | Australian Pain Society | Pain | Guidance |
|
| Pain Management Guide Toolkit for Aged Care | Australian Pain Society | Pain | Tools |
|
| Preventing malnutrition | Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) | Nutrition and hydration | Resource collection |
|
| Promoting positive mental wellbeing for older people | National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (UK) | Mental health | Guidance |
|
| Psychotropic Medicines in Cognitive Disability or Impairment Clinical Care Standard | The Commission | Medication safety | Guidance |
|
| RACGP Aged Care Clinical Guide (Silver Book)- Part A - Common clinical conditions in aged care | Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) | Clinical care | Guidance |
|
| RACGP Guidelines for preventive activities for older people: Visual and hearing impairment | Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) | Sensory impairment | Guidance |
|
| Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Final Report | Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety | Clinical risk | Website |
|
| Social, emotional and cultural wellbeing online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People | WellMob | Social and emotional wellbeing | Training resources |
|
| Standardised care processes for older people in aged care | Department of Health, Victoria | Clinical care | Guidance |
|
| Supporting daily oral health in residential aged care | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Oral health | Guidance |
|
| Training resources for hearing assistance in aged care & hospitals | Deafness Forum Australia | Sensory impairment | Training resources |
|
Module Item 10: Care coordination and transition
| Title | Author | Sub-topic | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principles for safe and high-quality transitions of care | The Commission | Transitions | Guidance |
|
| Transitioning to Residential Aged Care: Loss and Grief | Ausmed | Experience of transitions | Guidance |
|
| Care Coordination | PalliAGED | Care coordination | Guidance |
|
| RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Collaboration and multidisciplinary team-based care | Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) | Care coordination | Guidance |
|
| RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book) - Part B - Families and carers | Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) | Supporter involvement | Guidance |
|
| How to navigate transitions in care | Dementia Support Australia | Transitions | Guidance |
|
| Clinical governance themes: Communication and relationships | Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) | Care coordination | Resource collection |
|
Module Item 11: Environment
| Title | Author | Sub-topic | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caring for Older People in Heatwaves - Residential Aged Care | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Environmental risk | Guidance |
|
| Dementia Enabling Environments | Alzheimer's WA | Design - dementia | Guidance |
|
| Designing dementia-friendly care environments | Dementia Australia | Design -dementia | Guidance |
|
| Environmental Design Resources Handbook | Dementia Training Australia | Design | Guidance |
|
| Healthy Active Ageing – make sure your home is safe | Queensland Health | Risk at home | Guidance |
|
| Mobility Aids | HealthDirect | Equipment | Consumer information |
|
| My healthy home: home health factsheet series | Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet | Risk at home | Consumer information |
|
| National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Design | Guidance |
|
| Provision of Equipment by Aged Care Organisations | Ausmed | Equipment | Guidance |
|
| Residential aged care services built environment audit tool | Department of Health Victoria | Design | Tools |
|
| Risk Assessment and Management in the Home | Ausmed | Risk at home | Guidance |
|
| Tools and aids to help at home | Dementia Australia | Risk at home | Consumer information |
|
Module Item 12: Infection prevention and control
| Title | Author | Sub-topic | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Guide | The Commission | Infection prevention and control | Guidance |
|
Module Item 13: Food and nutrition
| Title | Author | Sub-topic | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food nutrition and dining resources for providers | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Food and nutrition | Resource collection | Providers |
Module Item 14: Palliative and end-of-life care
| Title | Author | Sub-topic | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advance Care Planning Storyboard and User Guide | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) | Advance care planning | Consumer information |
|
| Aged care grief and bereavement support | Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement | Bereavement | Consumer information |
|
| Delivering and supporting comprehensive end-of-life care: user guide | The Commission | End-of-life care | Guidance |
|
| End of life care - guidance | Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists | End-of-life care | Guidance |
|
| Evidence-based practice resources for the aged care workforce | PalliAGED | Palliative care | Resource collection |
|
| Home Care Toolkit | End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) | End-of-life care | Resource collection |
|
| National Consensus Statement: Essential elements for safe and high-quality end-of-life care | The Commission | End-of-life care | Guidance |
|
| National Guidelines for Spiritual Care in Aged Care | Meaningful Ageing Australia | Spiritual care | Guidance |
|
| National Palliative Care Standards for All Health Professionals and Aged Care Services | Palliative Care Australia | Palliative care | Guidance |
|
| National Palliative Care Strategy | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Palliative care | Website |
|
| Palliative Care Education and Training Collaborative | PEPA Education | Palliative and end-of-life care | Training resources |
|
| Palliative care education and training for the aged care workforce – Communication toolkit | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Palliative care | Training resources |
|
| Palliative Care Knowledge Network - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Care | CareSearch | Palliative care | Resource collection |
|
| Palliative Care Knowledge Network | CareSearch | Palliative care | Resource collection |
|
| RACGP Aged Care Clinical Guide (Silver Book) - Part A - Palliative and end-of-life care | Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) | Palliative care | Guidance |
|
| Residential Aged Care Toolkit | End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) | End-of-life care | Resource collection |
|
| Service solutions | PalliAGED | Palliative care | Guidance |
|
| Standardised Care Process: End-of-life care | Department of Health Victoria | End-of-life care | Guidance |
|
Background
What is the Module?
The Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module contains the elements of the Aged Care Quality Standards that are not covered by the NSQHS Standards. These elements have been consolidated into 14 Module Items, each of which describes a key aspect of quality, safe aged care services.
How was the Module developed?
Detailed mapping was conducted to compare the requirements of the NSQHS Standards and the Aged Care Quality Standards. Requirements covered by Outcome Statements in the Aged Care Quality Standards but not by Actions in the NSQHS Standards were collated and consolidated into 14 themes. For each theme, a Module Item was written.
The IHACS Module replaced the Multi-Purpose Services Aged Care Module on 1 November 2025. It plays the same role in the streamlined assessment and accreditation of organisations delivering aged care services under the MPSP.
The number of actions in the Module relates to the requirements of the Aged Care Quality Standards. The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards represent more detailed and rigorous expectations of what older people have the right to expect in terms of the quality and safety of aged care services, as recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.