The Interim Commissioner of First Nations Aged Care, Andrea Kelly, wrote in her 2024 report:
“An equity-based approach is required to achieve equal access and outcomes for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Equality will never be realised if we do not address the systemic barriers faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people when accessing the aged care supports they need.”
It appears that despite the expenses and conclusions drawn from the Royal Commission, the government continues to create one-size-fits all legislation without considering the systemic disadvantages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders. All the while, promoting this new approach to aged care as ‘person-centered.’
The new system of aged care demands Elders, many of who live below the poverty line, to make a compulsory contribution to their age care fees where previously they were not required. In the past Aboriginal Community Services, like many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander providers, had covered any required contributions. The new rules make this impossible.
While we have worked closely with Elders to make the transition together, we are relieved to see other organisations speaking up about the dangerous situation these new rules will create for many Elders. We feel that the compulsory contributions, and the assumption that Elders will be able to afford this to receive necessary, life-saving care, directly contradicts the findings of the Royal Commission that explained “An equity-based approach is needed to achieve equal access and outcomes for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.” In our view, an equity-based approach includes acknowledging the lower socio-economic position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders in our society as a result of colonialism, inter-generational trauma and discrimination.
The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation have created a public petition that calls to
- Exempt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders from co-contributions and means testing under Support at Home.
- Legislate an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Pathway consistent with the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, develop an aged care pathway for Elders that recognises and appropriately funds the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector.
- Ensure all policy changes uphold the Closing the Gap Reforms especially the commitment to partnership and shared decision-making, and strengthening the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector. Furthermore, the Australian Government should accept and implement all the recommendations from the Transforming Aged Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people report.
We encourage that anyone who feels similarly about the new Aged Care rules uses their voice. Even with the full implementation now in place, and some drastic changes made to our business, we will never stop advocating for Elders and their self-determination in matters that affect them.
