Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older people

To ensure that aged care services are safe and culturally appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older people, the Australian Government is working in partnership with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing and Aged Care Council Limited (NATSIAACC), and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

By working together, we can ensure what is important to Elders, their families and communities is central to the development and design of the aged care reforms.

Let’s change aged care together. Register to participate in future engagement activities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older people are less likely to access aged care, due to a range of barriers including:

• a lack of culturally safe care

• the complexity of the aged care system

• the ongoing trauma and impacts of colonisation

• government policies and prolonged discrimination

• social and economic disadvantage.

Higher rates of disability and chronic health conditions, co-morbidities, homelessness and dementia also impact access to aged care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

All recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety reference Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.