Accreditation requirements
All residential services in Queensland must be registered and accredited. Residential services include registered boarding houses, rentals for seniors, and supported accommodation.
Accreditation means that we have inspected the property and checked that it meets standards for safety of the building, security, emergencies, cleanliness and management.
Accommodation requirements
Under the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002 residential services must meet specific requirements.
All residential services must provide:
- a clean and safe living environment
- regular maintenance of smoke alarms and fire safety equipment
- a security and emergency plan, for example, what to do if there is a flood or other severe event
- privacy
- processes to ensure the accommodation is free of abuse and neglect
- a complaints process—if there is a problem
- freedom of choice if it doesn’t unreasonably affect others.
If your accommodation offers services like meals or personal care, they must meet additional standards for accreditation.
Food service requirements
Where food service is provided, additional standards must be met.
The food services must include:
- nutritious food
- safe and hygienic delivery, storage, preparation and service of food
- kitchen and dining facilities that meet minimum requirements.
Personal care services requirements
Residential services offering personal care services must meet additional levels of accreditation.
Personal care services offered can vary depending on the residential service and your needs, but requirements could include:
- access to external support services, for example, people who visit to help you with daily living tasks like cleaning or shopping
- help with your medication and health care
- help with financial and clerical support
- help with clothing and hygiene management such as showering and laundry
- leisure activities
- social networking
- participation in decision-making about the services you receive and the lifestyle you lead.
Problems with your accommodation
If you’re living in a residential service that does not meet accredited standards, help and support is available.
Find out what to do if you need to make a complaint.
Unregistered accommodation
Operating an unregistered residential service is illegal. If you suspect a residential service is unregistered, contact us to report it.
Report an illegal residential service by:
- Email: regulatoryservices@housing.qld.gov.au
- Phone: (07) 3013 2666