NATSIAACC has lodged a Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee’s Inquiry into the Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner and Other Measures) Bill 2026. As the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing and Aged Care, NATSIAACC is particularly concerned that the Bill establishes the Commissioner as an office within the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission rather than as an independent statutory office holder. This approach is inconsistent with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Framework which identifies the Commissioner as an independent authority.

We have identified 15 recommendations that collectively seek to ensure the Commissioner is equipped with the independence, authority, powers and resources required to drive transformational change across the Aged Care system and improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and Older People.

Click here to download a copy of NATSIAACC’s submission