Business Continuity Policy Template for Aged Care Facilities
Aged care facilities cannot suspend operations when disruptions occur. Residents depend on continuous care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A Business Continuity Policy goes beyond emergency and disaster management — it addresses the operational resilience your facility needs to maintain safe care delivery when IT systems fail, staff shortages hit, or supply chains break down.
This free template provides a comprehensive business continuity framework tailored specifically for Australian residential aged care providers, aligned to the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards governance requirements.
How Business Continuity Differs from Emergency Management
Emergency and Disaster Management policies cover immediate physical threats — fires, floods, pandemics. Business continuity goes further, covering ongoing operational disruptions including:
- IT system outages (clinical software, electronic medication management, rostering systems)
- Critical staffing shortages (illness, industrial action, mass resignation)
- Supplier and service disruptions (food supply, medication supply, linen, consumables)
- Utility failures (power, water, communications)
- Cybersecurity incidents and data breaches
- Key person dependencies (loss of the Director of Nursing or CEO)
Strengthened ACQS Governance Requirements
Under Standard 8 (Organisational Governance) of the Strengthened ACQS, providers must demonstrate that governance systems are in place to ensure continuous, safe service delivery. A business continuity policy is direct evidence of this.
What This Template Includes
- Policy statement on operational resilience
- Business impact analysis framework
- Critical functions and minimum service levels
- IT system failure procedures (downtime protocols for clinical systems)
- Critical staffing shortage procedures
- Supplier failure and supply chain disruption procedures
- Key person succession planning
- Communication plan for disruptions
- Testing and exercising requirements
- Roles and responsibilities
- Legislation and standards references
Download the Free Business Continuity Policy Template
Instant access. Editable Word document. No credit card required.
