The Aged Care Code of Conduct

Who the Code applies to

The Code of Conduct applies to registered providers, their responsible persons (such as board members and managers) and their aged care workers — including volunteers, independent contractors and employees of contractors. It doesn't cover health professionals or tradespeople the provider didn't contract or engage.

The eight behaviours

1. Respect people's rights to freedom of expression, self-determination and decision-making. 2. Treat people with dignity and respect, and value their diversity. 3. Respect people's privacy. 4. Deliver care safely and competently, with care and skill. 5. Act with integrity, honesty and transparency. 6. Promptly raise and act on concerns about the quality and safety of care. 7. Deliver care free from all forms of violence, discrimination, exploitation, neglect, abuse and sexual misconduct. 8. Take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to them.

What it looks like at work

Asking and listening to what people want, explaining things in a way they understand, using equipment the way it's meant to be used, being honest about your training, never asking for money or gifts, and reporting unsafe equipment, unsafe practices, near misses and any concern about abuse or neglect to your provider.

If you haven't had training on the Code, ask your provider. The Commission can act on evidence that a worker hasn't complied with it.