Infection control for aged care cleaners

Where the infection risks are

• Residents who are older and more vulnerable to infection
• Gastro and respiratory outbreaks that spread through a facility
• Shared lounges, dining rooms and equipment such as commodes and hoists
• Soiled linen, continence products and body fluid spills

The habits that matter most

• Clean high-touch surfaces in rooms and shared areas every day
• Switch to the outbreak cleaning plan as soon as an outbreak is declared
• Use the spill kit and full PPE for vomit and diarrhoea
• Keep equipment for affected rooms separate during an outbreak
• Stay home and tell your supervisor if you're unwell

Rules and expectations

Aged care providers manage infection risks under the Aged Care Quality Standards and have an Infection Prevention and Control Lead who oversees outbreak responses. Cleaning staff follow the provider's procedures and outbreak plan.

What the course covers

Eight core modules — how infections spread, hand hygiene, PPE, respiratory hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, blood and body fluid spills, waste, linen and sharps, and precautions and outbreaks — plus a module written for your sector. Then a 20-question assessment and your certificate.