A framework developed to support a more consistent and comprehensive approach to knowledge and skill development for supporting people living with dementia and their families and carers. It sets out the recommended standards for knowledge and skills across a core range of dementia learning domains and learning tiers, giving consideration to the range of professional and non-professional roles that support, interact and care for people living with dementia across different environments. 

The framework supports the implementation of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, and particularly outcomes relating to person-centred care, regular competency-based training and caring for people with cognitive impairment. The framework can be used in a range of ways:

• support the development of dementia-inclusive communities
• provide scope for family and carer education
• develop higher skilled and knowledgeable aged and health care workforce in supporting people living with dementia and their families and carers
• provide clear expectations of the levels of skill and knowledge required to improve practitioners’ dementia practice and support career progression
• offer standards levels that can be used to develop dementia training plans, prioritise training needs for staff and develop competency-based frameworks for job roles
• deliver a reference point to assist in the development of new dementia-specific training and review of existing curricula
• identify Australian standards that ensure quality and consistency of education and training across the national dementia workforce and community.