NATSIAACC has provided a submission to the statutory review of the Aged Care Rules to ensure that funding reforms operate in ways that are equitable, culturally safe and grounded in the lived realities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and Older People.

Our submission highlights concerns that current co-contribution arrangements risk creating financial and cultural barriers to accessing care, particularly for Elders and Older People living on fixed incomes and for community-controlled Providers delivering services in regional, rural and remote communities. These settings have the potential to undermine dignity, accessibility and culturally safe care delivery if not addressed through evidence-based reform.

NATSIAACC’s recommendations call for policy settings that recognise the right to age with dignity, including exemptions from co-contributions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, Older People and community-controlled providers, and the publication of population-specific affordability modelling to ensure transparency and fairness in funding decisions

Click here to download a copy of NATSIAACC’s Submission.