Quality indicators (QIs) are the quantitative backbone of aged care quality measurement in Australia. Providers submit QI data quarterly to the Department of Health and Aged Care, where it is benchmarked against national averages and feeds directly into the star ratings system. Poor QI performance affects your star rating, attracts ACQSC scrutiny, and signals care quality issues to consumers.
This guide covers all 14 National Aged Care Quality Indicators, how they are calculated, current national benchmarks, their impact on star ratings, and strategies to improve your QI performance.
The 14 National Aged Care Quality Indicators
The National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program has been expanded in stages. As of 1 April 2025, providers report on 14 indicators across clinical care, workforce, and consumer experience domains:
Clinical indicators (reported quarterly): 1. Pressure injuries (Stage 2+) — percentage of residents with a current pressure injury of Stage 2 or above 2. Physical restraint — percentage of residents subjected to physical restraint on a given day 3. Unplanned weight loss — percentage of residents experiencing unplanned weight loss of 5%+ in one month or 10%+ in six months 4. Falls and major injury — rate of falls resulting in major injury per 1,000 bed days 5. Medication management — rate of medication incidents per 1,000 bed days 6. Activities of daily living (ADL) decline — percentage of residents showing decline in ADL function 7. Incontinence care — percentage of incontinent residents with a current continence care plan 8. Hospitalisation — rate of unplanned hospitalisations per 1,000 bed days
Workforce indicators: 9. Staff turnover — annual staff turnover rate 10. [Care minutes](/blog/care-minutes-target-200-minutes-compliance) — direct care minutes per resident per day by care role
Consumer experience indicators: 11. Consumer experience — results from resident experience interviews 12. Quality of life — self-reported quality of life measures
Additional indicators: 13. Allied health — allied health service hours per resident 14. Lifestyle/meaningful activities — participation rates in lifestyle programs
Which indicators affect star ratings?
Of the 14 indicators, 5 clinical indicators currently feed into the Star Ratings Quality Measures domain:
1. Pressure injuries (Stage 2+) 2. Physical restraint 3. Unplanned weight loss 4. Falls and major injury 5. Medication management
Performance on these 5 indicators is benchmarked against national averages. Providers performing better than the national average score higher; those performing worse score lower. The benchmarking is relative — if the sector improves and you stay the same, your rating drops.
The staffing indicators (care minutes, staff turnover) feed into the separate Staffing domain of star ratings. Consumer experience indicators feed into the Residents' Experience domain. Compliance indicators feed into the Compliance domain.
This means QI data influences two of the four star rating domains directly — Quality Measures and Staffing. Improving QI performance is therefore one of the most effective strategies for improving your overall star rating.
National benchmarks and your position
Understanding where you sit relative to national averages is essential for QI improvement planning. Approximate national benchmarks (subject to quarterly updates from the Department):
- Pressure injuries (Stage 2+): ~5-7% of residents - Physical restraint: ~3-5% of residents - Unplanned weight loss: ~6-8% of residents - Falls with major injury: ~1-2 per 1,000 bed days - Medication incidents: varies by incident type
Providers should compare their rates against these benchmarks each quarter. The goal is not just to be below the average — it is to demonstrate improvement over time. The ACQSC and the star ratings system both reward trend improvement, not just absolute performance.
If your rates are above the national average on any indicator, that indicator should become a priority in your quality improvement plan. If your rates are below average, continue monitoring to maintain your position and identify any emerging trends early.
Quarterly reporting obligations
Providers must submit QI data quarterly to the Department of Health and Aged Care. The reporting quarters align with the calendar year: Q1 (January–March), Q2 (April–June), Q3 (July–September), Q4 (October–December). Submissions are typically due within 2 months of the quarter end.
Data integrity is critical. Inaccurate QI data — whether through under-reporting (to improve scores) or over-reporting (through poor data collection) — creates compliance risk. The ACQSC may audit QI submissions against clinical records during assessment contacts. Providers found to have submitted inaccurate data face regulatory consequences.
Ensure consistent definitions. The Department publishes detailed indicator definitions and counting rules. All staff involved in data collection must understand these definitions. Common errors include: inconsistent staging of pressure injuries, failing to count all falls (not just those resulting in injury), and miscategorising medication incidents.
The Quality Indicators module automates QI data collection from clinical records, calculates rates using the Department's methodology, and generates submission-ready reports — reducing the risk of manual calculation errors and ensuring data integrity.
Strategies to improve QI performance
Pressure injuries: Implement risk assessment on admission (Braden Scale), repositioning schedules for high-risk residents, pressure-relieving mattresses, nutritional support, and regular skin integrity audits.
Physical restraint: Adopt a restraint-free care philosophy. Ensure all restrictive practices are authorised under behaviour support plans, used as a last resort, and reviewed regularly. Train staff in de-escalation techniques.
Unplanned weight loss: Monitor weight monthly for all residents. Investigate any loss exceeding 5% in 1 month. Involve dietitians early. Ensure food quality and mealtime assistance are adequate. Track malnutrition risk using validated tools (MNA).
Falls prevention: Conduct falls risk assessment on admission, implement individualised prevention plans, review falls-risk medications (sedatives, antihypertensives, polypharmacy), modify the environment (non-slip flooring, grab rails, adequate lighting), and analyse every fall for root causes. See our falls prevention guide.
Medication management: Implement medication reconciliation on admission and after hospital transfers. Conduct regular polypharmacy reviews. Ensure the S8 register is accurate. Track and analyse medication incidents for systemic improvement.
How Statura Care helps with QI compliance
The Quality Indicators module automates QI data collection, rate calculation, and national benchmark comparison. Clinical data from the Clinical Care module — assessments, vital signs, wound records, medication administration — feeds directly into QI calculations, eliminating manual data extraction.
Trend dashboards show your QI trajectory over time, identify emerging risks, and compare your performance against national benchmarks. The Reporting Hub generates quarterly QI submission reports and board-level QI performance summaries.
QI improvement plans are tracked through the quality improvement register, with assigned owners, deadlines, and outcome measurement. All QI data integrates with the star ratings improvement strategy — helping you understand which QI improvements will have the greatest impact on your overall rating.
Quality indicator management is one of 35 modules in Statura Care's aged care compliance software — purpose-built for the Aged Care Act 2024.