The Aged Care Code of Conduct (the Code) describes how people must behave when they deliver funded aged care services.
[Chapter 1 – Part 2 – Division 2]
The Code applies to all:
- registered providers
- their responsible persons
- their aged care workers (which may include volunteers).
Following the Code makes sure that services are safe, respectful and support the health and wellbeing of older people. The Code has 8 ‘elements’ that set out the required behaviours from people delivering funded aged care services.
- Act with respect for people’s rights to freedom of expression, self-determination and decision-making.
- Act in a way that treats people with dignity and respect and values their diversity.
- Act with respect for the privacy of people.
- Provide care, support and services safely and competently.
- Act with integrity, honesty and transparency.
- Promptly take steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that may impact the quality and safety of care, support and services.
- Provide care, support and services free from violence, discrimination, exploitation, neglect, abuse and sexual misconduct.
- Take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to violence, discrimination, exploitation, neglect, abuse and sexual misconduct.
You can find more information about the Code at the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission website.
How the Code supports the broader goals of the new aged care system
The Code supports many of the purposes of the Act, to uphold a safe, respectful aged care system. These are some examples of how the Code supports the broader goals of the new aged care system.
- Compliance: Providers are subject to a number of conditions on their registration, including that they must follow the Code. They must also take reasonable steps to make sure their workers and responsible persons follow the Code. Workers and responsible persons must also comply with the Code.
- Promoting safety: The Code promotes the delivery of funded aged care services in a safe and competent way
- Safeguarding functions and accountability: The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner (the Commissioner) has the power to act when people don’t comply with the Code. This helps support the rights under the Statement of Rights. It improves the safety and wellbeing of older people accessing funded aged care services.
- Screening workers and banning orders: The Act has processes for checking workers and using banning orders. Banning orders stop or restrict people who are not fit to work in aged care or who don’t follow the Code.
The Code in practice
Case study: Ms Bowers receives care support at home, including cleaning services. She has been cleaning her own home for many years, but has recently realised that she might need some extra help. Ms Bowers likes her kitchen cleaned and organised in a certain way. Her way helps her find things, even if it’s a bit messy.
Applying the Code: Element 2 of the Code says that workers must treat people with dignity and respect and act in a way that values their diversity. The worker who helps clean Ms Bowers’ home talks with her to better understand how and why she likes things done in a certain way. The worker makes sure they follow Ms Bowers’ preferences.
Outcome: The worker shows respect for Ms Bowers’ values, dignity and choices. Ms Bowers feels more comfortable with getting help at home that supports her rights and quality of life.
Disclaimer
This publication is not legal advice and must not to be used or relied upon as a substitute for legal advice. Users must seek their own independent legal advice in relation to their particular circumstances.