Providing high-quality aged care is more than meeting regulatory standards—it’s about creating a culture where people feel safe, respected, and valued every single day.
With the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, providers are now called to build this kind of culture right across their organisations.
At Catholic Healthcare, this is nothing new. As a not-for-profit, our values of compassion, dignity, and ethical care have always been at the heart of what we do. Building a positive culture isn’t just a rule we follow—it’s who we are.
What does a culture of safety and inclusion look like?
Culture is more than policies and procedures—it’s how care is delivered, how people are treated, and how teams support each other.
In aged care, this means:
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Creating spaces where older people feel heard, respected, and secure
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Supporting staff to speak up, share ideas, and grow in their roles
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Having leaders who lead by example, with accountability and empathy
The strengthened standards highlight that wellbeing isn’t just physical—it’s also emotional and social. Connection, dignity, and inclusion are just as important as clinical care.
The role of leadership and employees
Culture starts at the top, but it’s lived out by every single team member. Leaders shape the tone by communicating clearly, providing direction, and genuinely supporting their teams.
At Catholic Healthcare, we invest in our people so they can bring our values to life:
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Specialised training in cultural awareness, communication, and person-centred care
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Opportunities to grow and contribute to a positive, collaborative workplace
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Listening and learning from our residents, clients, families, and employees
When everyone works with the same purpose, dignity and respect naturally become part of the everyday experience.
Ethics at the heart of care
For us, ethics aren’t an “extra” layer—they’re at the centre of every decision and interaction. Through our Inspirit Model of Care, we focus on creating meaning, connection, and purpose in later life.
We believe in creating personalised care that honours each person’s rights, preferences, and unique life journey.
Our four pillars focus on:
Health
You feel confident in the support around you and empowered to make choices about your life and care.
Heart
You are free to be yourself — surrounded by kindness, compassion and meaningful relationships.
Home
You live your way, with choice and control, in the place that feels most like home.
Hope
What matters to you matters to us. You feel a sense of purpose, value and meaning every day.
A shared commitment to better care
Building a culture of quality and inclusion is a shared responsibility. It involves leadership, staff, clients, families and the broader community working together to create care environments that feel safe, supportive and connected.
As Catholic Healthcare continues to align with the aged care reforms, we remain committed to our mission to serve older Australians with respect, compassion and hope. Aged care is not just about systems and services. It is about people, and the values that guide how we care for them.
If you would like to know more about our approach to quality, safety and inclusion in aged care, we invite you to get in touch.
About Catholic Healthcare
Grounded in more than 150 years of care and community, our purpose is to support older Australians to thrive. Whether you're planning your next chapter, seeking basic support, or complex care, we're by your side. We offer a full range of services to suit your needs — from vibrant Retirement Communities to Support at Home, wellness programs, and quality Residential Care. Our warm, welcoming communities and personalised services are designed to enhance your mind, body, and spirit, helping you embrace ageing and live life your way.
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