Visitor and Support Person Policy Template
Balance resident connection with family and community against facility safety, infection control, and secure unit management with a clear, rights-respecting visitor policy.
Overview
Residents of aged care facilities have a fundamental right to receive visitors and maintain connections with family, friends, and their community. At the same time, facilities must manage visitor access to protect resident safety, privacy, and wellbeing — particularly in secure dementia units and during infection outbreaks. Post-COVID, visitor management has become a significant compliance and reputational issue for providers. This policy template establishes a balanced, rights-based framework for visitor governance.
What This Policy Covers
- Resident right to receive visitors at any reasonable time
- Visitor registration and identification requirements
- Designated support person rights and access
- Secure / memory support unit visitor protocols
- Infection outbreak visitor restriction procedures
- Essential visitor definition and access during restrictions
- Managing visitors whose presence poses risk to residents
- Child visitor supervision requirements
- Volunteer and external service provider access
- After-hours visitor access process
Compliance Alignment
- Charter of Aged Care Rights 2019 – Right 4 (social connection)
- Aged Care Quality Standard 1 – Consumer Dignity and Choice
- Aged Care Quality Standard 3 – Clinical Care (infection control)
- Public Health Orders (jurisdiction-specific, outbreak conditions)
- Privacy Act 1988 (visitor registration data)
Why This Policy Matters
Overly restrictive visitor policies were a major finding during COVID-era ACQSC audits. Conversely, facilities without adequate visitor management processes face infection risk and security concerns. A balanced, documented visitor policy demonstrates that the provider values resident connection while maintaining appropriate safeguards — a direct Standard 1 compliance indicator.
