The overall star rating is a starting point — not the final answer. What matters most is understanding which of the four domains drove the score.
A facility with a 3-star overall rating and a strong residents' experience score may be a better choice than a 4-star facility with weak resident satisfaction. The breakdown tells you more than the headline.
The four domains explained
Based on surveys of residents asking about their satisfaction with care, meals, activities, and how respected they feel. This is the only domain that comes directly from the people living in the facility — making it the most meaningful signal of day-to-day quality.
What to look for
A high overall star rating with a low residents' experience score is a red flag. The other domains can be gamed or improved on paper. Residents' experience cannot.
Reflects the facility's performance against the Aged Care Quality Standards, assessed by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. From 1 November 2025, compliance is graded against the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. Sanctions and regulatory decisions also factor in.
What to look for
Compliance is the second-largest domain after residents' experience. One older minor notice is very different from a recent serious notice. A 1 or 2-star compliance rating caps the facility's overall star rating — meaning they cannot receive a higher overall rating regardless of other scores.
Measures the average minutes of direct care provided per resident per day, split between registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and personal care workers. Also accounts for the use of agency staff versus permanent employees.
What to look for
Ask for the facility's direct care minutes figure, not just the star rating. A 5-star facility with low direct care minutes may still be understaffed relative to resident needs.
Uses clinical indicators reported by facilities across five areas: falls and major injury, unplanned weight loss, pressure injuries, medication management, and use of restrictive practices. These are self-reported, which limits their reliability as a standalone signal.
What to look for
Quality measures are self-reported. A facility that diligently reports and monitors these indicators may show poorer numbers than one that under-reports. Context matters.
What star ratings don't tell you
Star ratings are a useful filter — but they have real limitations:
How to find a facility's star rating
All residential aged care facility star ratings are published on the My Aged Care website. You can search by name, suburb, or postcode and see the individual domain scores alongside the overall rating.
Search on My Aged Care →We interpret the data for your specific situation
We review compliance records, residents' experience scores, staffing levels, and specialist capabilities — and match them to your loved one's actual needs. Tell us what you need and we'll shortlist the right facilities.
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