Aged care services touch the lives of substantial – and increasing – numbers of people. This report draws data from several sources to explore how aged care services could better fulfil older people’s social and emotional support needs.

The Centre for Health Service Development, at the University of Wollongong, was commissioned by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety to undertake this analysis of international and national staffing profiles for residential aged care services, in order to better understand how staffing can be improved in Australia.

NACCHO’s submission includes feedback received from their member services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), who deliver a range of services in urban, rural and remote communities across Australia.

This quick guide outlines what a Royal Commission is, the background to the establishment of the Aged Care Royal Commission, its scope and aims, and how it will operate until the handing down of the final report in November 2020.

This paper summarises the key aspects of quality and safety regulation provided for in the Aged Care Act 1997 (Aged Care Act), the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018 (Quality and Safety Commission Act) and supporting legislative instruments.