Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care programs and reforms

The new Aged Care Act will start from 1 November 2025. It is an important action resulting from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the new Act will embed the right to:

  • access culturally safe, trauma aware and healing informed assessments and aged care services

  • stay connected to community and Country

This work will help their aged care access and care experiences through:

  • increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessment organisations that can safely support service assessments of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

  • continuing to support more local Elder Care Support workforce, who help older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with information and their aged care services

  • increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care workforce in local services

  • supporting mainstream aged care providers to ensure they can provide safe aged care experiences for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

  • continuing to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector in their aged care service delivery quality