NATSIAACC has provided a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee highlighting the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and Older People within the Aged Care system. The submission outlines that racism in Aged Care is predominantly structural and systemic, embedded in system design, access pathways, funding and governance and continues to drive inequitable outcomes.

It calls for system-wide reform to embed culturally safe, trauma-aware and healing-informed care as an enforceable standard, strengthen First Nations authority and community control, and address barriers within digital systems, assessment processes and complaints mechanisms. The submission reinforces that without structural change, current reforms risk entrenching inequity rather than resolving it, and positions NATSIAACC as a system steward advocating for an Aged Care system that enables Elders and Older People to age with dignity, safety and strong connections to culture, community and Country/Island Home.

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