What specialised aged care services exist for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander elders?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders can use Support at Home, CHSP and residential care, but may also access specialised culturally safe services through the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program, Aboriginal Community Controlled assessment organisations and the Elder Care Support program.
Key points
- Individual eligibility, availability and outcomes can vary.
- Ask questions early and seek independent help if anything feels unclear or unsafe.
Explore only what you need
Start with the sections that feel useful now. You can come back to the others later.
01Guide sectionWhat specialised aged care services are available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders can access mainstream government-funded aged care as well as programs designed specifically to provide culturally safe, flexible care close to family, community and Country.
A person may be eligible for an aged care assessment from age 50, rather than the usual eligibility age of 65. Eligibility still depends on having assessed care needs.
02Guide sectionNational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program, often shortened to NATSIFACP, provides culturally safe care designed around the needs of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Depending on the provider and location, it can provide:
care and support in the person’s home
personal care
nursing and health support
meals and domestic assistance
transport and social support
respite
assistive technology
home modifications
permanent or temporary residential aged care.
The program is intended to help Elders remain close to family, community and Country rather than having to leave their community to receive care.
Services are not available in every location, so My Aged Care should confirm whether a local NATSIFACP provider operates in the person’s area.
03Guide sectionSupport at Home
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can receive the full range of Support at Home services where they are assessed and approved.
These may include:
nursing
physiotherapy and other allied health
personal care
domestic assistance
meal preparation
transport
social support
respite
equipment
home modifications.
Support at Home services should be culturally safe, trauma aware and healing informed. They may also include support to participate in cultural activities and access Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners or health workers.
A care plan might include support to:
attend community, cultural or Sorry Business obligations
remain connected with Country
visit family and community members
access an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
receive care from workers who understand cultural protocols
arrange culturally appropriate meals
involve family, Elders or community representatives in care planning where the person wishes.
These needs should be written clearly into the person’s support plan and the provider’s care plan.
04Guide sectionCommonwealth Home Support Programme
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme may provide entry-level assistance for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 or older who needs a smaller amount of help at home.
Services can include:
cleaning
meals
transport
social support
personal care
home maintenance
allied health
respite.
CHSP continues to operate separately from Support at Home. It may be suitable where the person needs several individual services but does not yet require a larger ongoing Support at Home budget.
05Guide sectionAboriginal Community Controlled aged care assessments
In some areas, aged care assessments are available through Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
These assessments may be completed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessors or workers trained by the organisation to provide culturally safe, trauma-aware and healing-informed assessments.
A person can ask My Aged Care whether this assessment option is available locally.
The assessor should consider more than physical care needs. Relevant factors may include:
family and kinship responsibilities
connection to Country and community
cultural and language needs
experiences of trauma or institutional care
housing and transport barriers
access to culturally suitable health services
the role of family and community in providing unpaid care.
06Guide sectionElder Care Support program
The Elder Care Support program helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 or older understand and access aged care.
Depending on local availability, Elder Care Support workers may help with:
understanding the aged care system
applying through My Aged Care
preparing for an assessment
attending assessments
understanding letters and decisions
finding culturally suitable providers
setting up services
resolving problems with care.
A family member or support person can also contact the program on the Elder’s behalf.
This can be particularly valuable where the person does not trust mainstream services, has difficulty navigating government systems or wants support from someone familiar with the local community.
07Guide sectionCulturally appropriate residential aged care
Some providers operate residential aged care homes specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders or have verified experience supporting First Nations communities.
Culturally safe residential care may include:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers
access to community and Country
culturally familiar meals
recognition of kinship and family roles
space for family and community visits
cultural activities and ceremonies
respect for Sorry Business
support from Aboriginal health workers
culturally appropriate palliative and end-of-life care.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program may also provide residential care in some communities.
08Guide sectionLanguage and communication support
Providers should ask about the person’s preferred language and communication style.
Support may involve:
workers who speak the person’s language
interpreters
Aboriginal liaison or health workers
visual or culturally appropriate information
allowing additional time for discussion
involving trusted family, Elders or supporters with the person’s consent.
A provider should not assume that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the same cultural needs. Culture, language, community, Country and family structures differ considerably.
09Guide sectionWhat should culturally safe care look like?
Culturally safe care should:
respect identity, culture and spirituality
be free from racism, judgement and discrimination
recognise the importance of Country, community and kinship
understand the possible effects of trauma and the Stolen Generations
involve the person in decisions
respect who the person considers family
support cultural practices and obligations
allow the person to question or refuse care without being punished.
Current aged care quality standards state that all older people have the right to culturally safe care that recognises and supports their cultural identity.
10Practical actionQuestions to ask a provider
Ask:
Do you have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers or care partners?
Do you work with local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations?
What cultural-safety and trauma-aware training do workers complete?
Can services support connection with Country, community and culture?
Can family, kin or community representatives be involved in care planning?
Can you provide culturally appropriate meals?
How do you support Sorry Business and other cultural obligations?
Can you arrange Aboriginal health workers or interpreters?
How are contractors and replacement workers briefed about cultural needs?
Is your claimed specialisation verified through My Aged Care?
What happens if the person experiences racism or culturally unsafe care?
Do not rely only on a provider saying it is culturally inclusive. Ask for practical examples and confirm what is available through its local workforce.
11Guide sectionHow to access support
A person can begin by:
calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
applying online through My Aged Care
asking a GP or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation for help
contacting an Aged Care Specialist Officer
asking whether an Aboriginal Community Controlled assessment organisation or Elder Care Support worker is available locally.
12Guide sectionWhat should I do next?
Confirm the details with My Aged Care or the relevant provider, write down your questions and ask for important information in writing before making a decision.
13Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
Want to apply this answer to your situation?
Liz already knows which guidance page you are reading, so you can ask a follow-up without starting the topic again.