Management and prevention of incidents
The Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) sets requirements for aged care providers to manage and take reasonable action to prevent incidents. It focuses on older people's:
- safety
- health
- wellbeing
- quality of life.
Under the SIRS, providers must have an incident management system in place. An effective system will help to:
- identify, manage, and resolve incidents that happen during the delivery of care and services to older people
- prevent future incidents.
These requirements apply to all providers in the following registration categories:
- Residential care (including respite)
- Nursing and transition care
- Personal care and care support in the home or community (including respite)
- Advisory and support services
- Home and community services
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) runs the SIRS. Providers must use the My Aged Care provider portal to tell the ACQSC if a reportable incident occurs. This reporting requirement applies to all providers, including those providing assistive technology and home modifications.
Reportable incidents are:
- unreasonable use of force
- unlawful sexual contact or inappropriate sexual conduct
- neglect
- psychological or emotional abuse
- unexpected death
- stealing or financial coercion by a staff member
- inappropriate use of restrictive practices
- unexplained absence from care (missing care participants and residents).
Find out more about the SIRS reporting.
Aged care resources
More information, guidance, and resources are available on the ACQSC’s website.
The Aged Care Rules 2025 set out the legislative requirements for SIRS and is available on the Federal Register of Legislation. Read Aged care laws in Australia for further information on legislation.
