Residential service accreditation

The accreditation process aims to improve the standard of residential services in Queensland.

Once you have registered your residential service, you need to apply for accreditation within 6 months.

To obtain accreditation, you must show that your residential service meets the minimum standards for each accreditation level within the Residential Services (Accreditation) Regulation 2002 (PDF, 338KB)

Levels of accreditation

You can apply for 3 levels of accreditation, with all providers needing to apply for Level 1.

Accommodation service—Level 1 (compulsory)

Level 1 relates to a resident’s right to:

• privacy and confidentiality
• agreement for residency
• keeping of records and grievance mechanisms
• prevention of abuse and neglect
• management of residents with complex or difficult behaviours
• access to external providers of professional services
• independence and freedom of choice
• cleanliness, good repair and  maintenance of goods and equipment
• appropriate security and emergency measures
• appropriate business and workplace health and safety practices
• human resource management and staff training.

Food service—Level 2

Level 2 relates to a resident’s right to:

• nutritional food
• the safe and hygienic delivery, storage and preparation of food
• kitchen and dining facilities that meet minimum requirements.

Personal care service—Level 3

Level 3 relates to a resident’s access to:

• access for residents to external support services
• accountable financial and clerical support
• medication management and health care
• help with clothing and hygiene management
• the living environment
• leisure interests and social networking
• participation in decision-making processes.

How do I get accredited?

You, as the service provider, use self-assessment workbooks to assess your own services against the accreditation standards.

An officer from the Residential Services Unit then checks your policies and procedures, and conducts a site inspection of your premises. The accreditation process is to ensure that you are following your policies and procedures in the day to day operation of the service. Accreditation may also involve the officer getting information from residents, staff and other relevant people.

Apply for accreditation

Once you have registered your residential service you will be sent an accreditation application kit, which includes a self-assessment workbook and some further documents.

To apply for accreditation, you need to:

• complete Residential Services Form 2 and notes—Application for accreditation of a residential service (PDF, 180KB) 
• complete and enclose the self-assessment workbook and associated documents
• pay the application fee of $26.10 for each person who is a resident when you apply.

Accreditation assessment

If accreditation is granted you will receive an Accreditation Certificate which must be placed in an area where it can be seen by the residents. If accreditation is refused you will receive a notice stating why your application was not successful. 

Reasons for an application not being approved will be stated in the notice.

Appealing the decision

If you disagree with the accreditation decision, you have 28 days to apply to the Residential Services Unit for a review of the decision.

The notice outlines how to apply for a review, including the completion of the Residential Services Form 5—Application for review of decision (PDF, 167KB)

If you disagree with the review decision, you can apply for a hearing with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Renewing accreditation

You must lodge an application to renew your accreditation before the accreditation period expires, but not more than 3 months before.

You can apply to extend your accreditation expiry date. Your accreditation will be cancelled if it’s not renewed before it expires. This will automatically cancel your registration and you will need to reapply or you could be deemed as operating unregistered.

To renew your accreditation:

• complete Residential Services Form 3 and notes—Application for renewal of accreditation of a residential service (PDF, 198KB) 
• attach a copy of your building compliance notice (under the Queensland Development Code—MP 5.7) issued within the last 12 months by your local council
• attach a copy of the Fire Safety Management Plan for the premises
• pay the renewal fee of $26.10 for each per person who is a resident when you apply
• provide any new documents, or documents amended since the last accreditation process
• attach a certified copy of proof of identification (i.e. a birth certificate, driver licence, passport) for each provider and associate involved with the residential service
• you must pay the criminal history check fee of $35.90 (for each person applying).

More information

For more information on residential service accreditation, you can:

• email resservices@communities.qld.gov.au
• contact the Residential Services Unit on (07) 3008 5824.