What is the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)?

The Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) is an initiative to help prevent and reduce incidents of abuse and neglect in residential aged care services subsidised by the Australian Government.

Abuse can include physical, psychological, sexual, financial and social abuse and/or neglect. SIRS sets arrangements for approved providers of residential aged care to manage and take reasonable action to prevent incidents with a focus on the safety, health, well-being and quality of life of aged care consumers. SIRS contains mandatory reporting obligations under the Aged Care Act and to police.