Unexplained Absences in Aged Care

Unexplained absences in aged care are a relatively common event.

Data from 2022–23 reveals that nearly three-quarters of absent residents were found in locations simply recorded as 'other', with only 22.7% accounted for at a known location, such as a residential facility, a private home or hospital (ACQSC 2023). Despite their regularity, instances of unexplained absences and missing residents should always be taken seriously. It is not unheard of for an individual’s condition to decline or even lead to death after an unexplained absence (Woolford et al. 2018).

All aged care workers are obligated under their duty of care to ensure individuals in their care are safe and accounted for at all times. Any unexplained absence must also be reported under the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) (DoHDA 2025a).

Unexplained Absences Under SIRS

The Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) is a framework designed by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to reduce abuse and neglect in aged care by guiding providers on how to manage and report serious incidents.

From 1 November 2025, under terminology changes introduced with the Aged Care Act 2024, the previous ‘missing consumer’ incident type used for home or community settings has been merged with the residential care ‘unexplained absence’ category, meaning ‘unexplained absence’ should now be used across all aged care settings (ACQSC 2025).

Under the SIRS, an unexplained absence is a reportable incident when:

• An individual is absent from care, and
• The absence is unexplained, and
• There are reasonable grounds to report the absence to the police, regardless of whether the police are actually contacted.

The absence must be reported as soon as possible, and within a 24-hour time frame.

(ACQSC 2022a)

If the person returns before you are aware they were missing, you do not need to notify the Commission. However, if police were involved at any point (whether they were notified of the absence or helped return the person), the incident must be reported to the Commission. It is also important to note the absence in the individual’s care plan to understand and manage behaviours and wandering patterns (ACQSC 2021).

Who Is Most at Risk?

A number of factors can increase an individual’s risk of going missing.

Higher-risk individuals include those who:

• Are new to the services
• Are residents in care against their will
• Are people receiving respite care
• Have previously wandered or have a history of doing so
• Are living with dementia.

(ACQSC 2022a, ACQSC 2023)

How to Notify the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

Notifications to the Commission need to be made electronically through the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal (ACQSC 2022b).

Tips for writing a high-quality notification:

• Provide sufficient detail for someone who wasn't present to understand the full picture
• Clearly describe the steps that were taken during the incident
• Describe the situation and environment prior to the incident
• Detail anything that you may have done to help the individual feel safe
• Describe the individual’s response and any potential impact (e.g. physical, psychological)
• Include details of anyone involved in the incident
• Consider any changes following the incident (e.g. updating the person’s files, the facility’s risk management plans)
• Consider what could be done in the future to prevent recurrence.

(ACQSC 2022a)

Reducing the Risk

To reduce the risk of unexplained absences in aged care settings, providers should conduct thorough and comprehensive resident assessments. Additional measures include:

• Conducting risk assessments that address both individual needs and the physical environment
• Implementing safety measures, including ensuring individuals carry a mobile phone or identification, including their address
• Using clear, easy-to-understand signage to help orientate residents in aged care facilities
• Enabling access to outdoor areas such as gardens can provide a greater sense of freedom
• Using technology sensors, such as mat sensor alarms
• Ensuring areas are well-lit
• Organising regular activities such as safe, regular walks with care providers
• For residents of aged care facilities, personalising their room with family photos and meaningful decor that reflects the patient's interests, routines and home
• Offering familiar, comforting activities such as listening to music, folding laundry, browsing photo albums and socialising.

(ACQSC 2023; Hock et al. 2026; Chen 2025)

When implementing preventive measures, individuals' right to freedom of movement must be respected. Restricting this freedom is considered a form of environmental restraint and is only appropriate where a person faces a significant risk of harm (ACQSC 2023).

This is further supported in the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. Under Standard 4: The environment (Outcome 4.1b, Action 4.1.2c), registered aged care providers are expected to ensure older people can move freely both indoors and outdoors (DoHDA 2025b).

For more information on the lawful use of restrictive practices, see Restrictive Practices in Aged Care: Rules and Regulations.

Refer to your organisation's policies and procedures to ensure preparedness in the event of an unexplained absence.