Submission: Aged Care Act Exposure Draft

06/05/2024

NATSIAACC is advocating for changes to the proposed Aged Care Act to achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and older people.

The Federal Government is developing a new Aged Care Act, which is a major chance to shape the aged care system to meet the diverse needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Government released an Exposure Draft of the proposed new Act in December 2023. NATSIAACC has consulted with members and stakeholders to inform its submission.

Click here to download the submission.

NATSIAACC has made a number of recommendations, including:

  • The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples be explicitly recognised in the new Aged Care Act
  • Service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people requiring flexibility
  • Cultural safety be defined within the new Act
  • The First Nations Aged Care Commissioner be included in the Act
  • The Department of Health and Aged Care engage in co-design wherever possible, particularly as it relates to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their providers of care