Blueprint for Aboriginal aged care reforms
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A landmark report is calling for urgent reforms to address the unique challenges faced by older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The report—Transforming Aged Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people—was presented by Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner Andrea Kelly, who has been given an extended appointment by Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells until June 2026.
Kelly’s report emerged from extensive consultations with older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their families, communities and service providers. “The recommendations in my report are clear. I call on the Australian Government to accept and act on them,” Kelly said. “Without significant change including an equity-based approach, the aged care system will not meet the current or projected growth in demand of aged care services for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
According to Kelly, immediate priorities include adopting a transformation plan co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, establishing a permanent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissioner, and implementing 27 urgent actions. “I am hopeful the reforms underway will incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences and perspectives to meet their needs,” she said. “I would like to thank all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their families and communities, service providers, advocates and representatives who I met with throughout the year.”
Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells responded to the report by expressing support for Kelly’s continued leadership role and noting that the Government is actively reviewing the recommendations. “I welcome the report and its findings. The Government is actively considering the recommendations and how they can be taken forward,” Minister Wells said.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy also applauded Kelly’s efforts. “Ms Kelly’s commitment to making older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s voices heard is evident in the pages of this report,” she said. “Older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the heart of our communities, and it is important that we treat them with the respect and dignity that they deserve as they age.”
The report received strong support from the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN). Chief Executive Officer Craig Gear OAM emphasised the importance of a 10-year transformation plan, highlighting that OPAN’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advocates Network contributed insights to the report. “We are also pleased to see the recommendation for a permanent Commissioner who can be dedicated to improving the aged care experience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Gear said.
“All older people deserve access to safe, high quality and above all, culturally appropriate aged care services. We need to keep moving on aged care reform, and the key to this is ensuring the new Aged Care Act takes effect on 1 July 2025, we cannot afford any further delays.”
With Kelly’s interim role now extended to mid-2026, advocates hope to see swift and coordinated action that transforms aged care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and addresses long-standing inequities in the system.
Read also: Voices of older Aboriginal people central to new aged care report
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
