It’s important to find aged care services that respect your culture as well as meet your care needs. If you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and 50 years or older, there are services that provide specialised care.
For example, some aged care providers:
- employ Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people to provide care
- include your local community in aged care planning and providing care
- have buildings for cultural ceremonies and family visits.
How can I find the right aged care provider for me?
What can I discuss with an aged care provider?
What care is available in remote areas?
Videos: Learn more about how aged care services can help
Translated resources
How can I find the right aged care provider for me?
Whether you’re looking for help at home or considering moving into an aged care home My Aged Care can help you to find and access a range of aged care services.
- The first step is to apply for an assessment.
Your assessor will visit you at home and confirm what services you are eligible for, then suggest local providers that may be able to help you.
- Use our Find a provider tool to find services in your area.
You can find local providers who specialise in services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Filter your results by using the Specialisations menu on the left hand side of the tool.
- If you live in a rural or remote area, contact your nearest National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care provider.
They provide flexible, culturally appropriate care that aims to keep you close to home and community.
- Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
If you would prefer to talk to someone, our contact centre staff can assist. Chat with them about your needs and circumstances and they can help find the best care options for you.
What can I discuss with an aged care provider?
When you meet with an aged care provider, you, a family member, or trusted friend can talk with them about how they can help and support you.
Depending on your needs and experiences, you can discuss some or all of the following:
- how Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people can be involved in your care - such as staff, or community members
- having someone you trust with you during decision-making processes
- how your cultural and spiritual needs can be a part of your care plan
- how staff will make sure those needs are met
- ways to help you keep in contact with family and friends
- supporting your connection to culture through social activities and outings
- understanding and respecting your history and how this may impact your care, such as the trauma experienced by the Stolen Generation
- culturally respectful support during illness or end of life, such as return to Country.
Questions to ask aged care home providers
If you’re looking at aged care homes, this 10 Questions to Ask brochure is a helpful resource. It lists questions and tips written by doctors, nurses and experts experienced in aged care.
What care is available in remote areas?
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Program (NATSIFAC) funds culturally safe aged care. A culturally safe environment is one where you feel safe and secure in your identity, culture and community setting. It’s available for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in rural and remote areas.
These services provide flexible care that:
- recognise, respect and support your unique cultural identity and traditions
- meets your needs, wants and rights
- allows you to remain close to home and community.
These providers can help you with:
- residential care on a permanent or short-term basis
- emergency or planned respite care
- home-based care.
You can contact your nearest NATSIFAC provider from the list below.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care providers
| Service Name | Street Address | Contact Number | Residential Care, Home / Community Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SOUTH WALES | |||
| Canowindra Aboriginal Community Care | Cedric House, 65 Ducat St, Tweed Heads, NSW, 2485 | (07) 5536 2105 | Yes, Yes |
| Jack Towney Hostel | 5 Stockings Cres, Gilgandra NSW 2827 | (02) 6817 8777 | Yes, Yes |
| NORTHERN TERRITORY | |||
| Kalano Flexible Aged Care Service (Katherine) | Kalano Community, 1 Gunn Rd, Katherine NT 0850 | (08) 8971 1999 | Yes, No |
| Tjilpi Pampaku Ngura Flexible Aged Care Service | Kaltukatjara Community, Docker River, NT, 0870 | (08) 8956 7262 | Yes, Yes |
| Nganampa Ngura Mutitjulu-nya (Mutitjulu Flexible Aged Care Service) | Petermann Rd, Mutitjulu, NT, 0872 | 1300 881 510 | Yes, Yes |
| Pulkapulkka Kari Nursing Home and Hostel | 50 Peko Rd, Tennant Creek, NT, 0860 | (08) 8962 1222 | Yes, Yes |
| Mulakunya Flexible Aged Care Service (Nguiu Tiwi Island) | Kerinavia Hwy, Nguiu, Bathurst Island, NT, 0822 | (08) 8978 3721 | Yes, Yes |
| Anmatjere Flexible Aged Care Service (Ti Tree) | Lot 25 and 26 Palmer St, Ti Tree, NT, 0872 | (08) 8966 9900 | Yes, Yes |
| Mungkadinamanja Flexible Aged and Disability Service (Angurugu - Groote Eylandt) | Lot 489 Angurugu Access, Angurugu, NT, 0880 | (08) 8987 6598 | No, Yes |
| Malandari Flexible Aged Care Service (Borroloola) | Mara Camp, Robinson Rd, Borroloola, NT, 0854 | (08) 8975 8922 | Yes, Yes |
| Malala Flexible Aged Care Service (Maningrida) | 458 Main Rd, Maningrida, NT, 0822 | (08) 8979 5474 | Yes, Yes |
| Yuendumu Old People’s Programme | Walpiri Avenue, Yuendumu, NT, 0872 | (08) 9856 4145 | Yes, Yes |
| Kintore Aged Care | Lot 154/ Kintore St, Kintore, NT, 0872 | (08) 8956 8759 | No, Yes |
| Kalkarindji Flexible Aged Care Service | Lot 86 Kalkarindji Access, Kalkarindji, NT, 0852 | (08) 8975 0799 | No, Yes |
| Timber Creek Flexible Aged Care Service | Tracker George Rd, Timber Creek, NT, 0852 | (08) 8975 0860 | No, Yes |
| Thamarrurr Flexible Aged Care Service | Main Rd, Wadeye, NT, 0822 | (08) 8978 2490 | Yes, Yes |
| MacCare, Aged and Disability Services | Areyonga, Finke, Haasts Bluff, Hermansburg, Imanpa, Papunya, Amoongina, Titjikala, NT, 0871 | (08) 8958 9600 | No, Yes |
| Barkly Aged and Disabilities Program | 41 Peko Rd, Tennant Creek, NT, 0860 | (08) 8962 0000 | No, Yes |
| Ltyente Apurte Community Care | 133 Main St, Santa Teresa, NT, 0872 | (08) 8956 0899 | No, Yes |
| QUEENSLAND | |||
| Injilinji Aged Care Service | 8 Thompson Rd, Mount Isa, QLD 4825 | (07) 4749 0005 | Yes, Yes |
| Ngooderi House | Lot 33 Gunnalunja Drive, Doomadgee, QLD, 4830 | (07) 4745 8181 | Yes, No |
| Kukatja Place | 65 Landsborough St, Normanton, QLD, 4890 | (07) 4745 1599 | Yes, No |
| Kuba Natha Hostel | 22 Lardil St, Gununa, QLD, 4871 | (07) 4745 7346 | Yes, No |
| Sandy Boyd Hostel | Park St, Palm Island, QLD, 4816 | (07) 4770 0200 | Yes, No |
| Georgina Margaret Davidson-Thompson Hostel | 694 Wynnum Rd, Morningside, QLD, 4170 | (07) 3396 3431 | Yes, No |
| SOUTH AUSTRALIA | |||
| Aboriginal Elders Village | 2 Oldford St, Davoren Park, SA, 5113 | (08) 8287 1454 | Yes, No |
| Seaview Village Aged Care | 103 Seaview Terrace, Thevenard, SA, 5690 | (08) 8625 2855 | Yes, Yes |
| Tjilpiku Pampaku Ngura Aged Care Service | Pukatja Community, Tjilpi Pampa St, Pukatja, SA, 0872 | (08) 8956 7033 | Yes, Yes |
| Tullawon Aged Care | Eyre Hwy Yalata, Ceduna, SA, 5690. | (08) 8625 6237 | No, Yes |
| Umoona Aged Care | Lot 89 Hospital Rd, Coober Pedy, SA, 5723 | (08) 8672 5605 | Yes, Yes |
| Wami Kata Old Folks Home | Bartlett Parade, Port Augusta SA, 5700 | (08) 8641 1233 | Yes, Yes |
| TASMANIA | |||
| Cape Barren Aged Care Service | 1 The Esplanade, Cape Barren Island, TAS, 7257 | (08) 6359 2122 | No, Yes |
| Flinders Island Aged Care Service | 16 West St, Lady Barron, TAS, 7255 | (08) 6359 0200 | No, Yes |
| Aged Care Service | 56 Patrick St, Hobart, TAS, 7000 | 1800 132 260 | No, Yes |
| VICTORIA | |||
| Iris Lovett Gardiner Centre (ACES) | 5 Parkview Avenue, Brunswick East, VIC, 3057 | (03) 9383 4244 | Yes, Yes |
| Rumbalara Multi-Aged Care Complex | 95 Ford Rd, Shepparton, VIC, 3630 | 1800 818 490 | Yes, No |
| WESTERN AUSTRALIA | |||
| Kungkarrangkalpa Aged Care Service | Wanarn Community, Main Rd, Wanarn WA, 6743 | (08) 8955 8068 | Yes, No |
| Guwardi Ngadu Aged Care | Forrest Rd, Fitzroy Crossing, WA, 6765 | (08) 9191 5240 | Yes, Yes |
| Marlgu Village Aged Care | 27 Coverley St, Wyndham, WA, 6740 | (08) 9161 1431 | Yes, No |
| Ngamang Bawoona Aged Care | 33 Sutherland St, Derby, WA, 6728 | (08) 9161 5500 | Yes, No |
| Yaandina Community Care Services | 58 Hampton St, Roebourne, WA, 6718 | (08) 9182 1365 | No, Yes |
Videos: Learn more about how aged care services can help
Watch the following videos how My Aged Care can help you find services that help you to live independently.
Aged care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Aged care is not just about living in an aged care home. You may want to receive services in your own home, close to your family and community. Learn about the services available through My Aged Care.
My Aged Care case study: Uncle Bob’s story
After coming down with a rare neurological disease, Uncle Bob gave My Aged Care a call. Koleta now visits and provides support, helping with the things he cannot do.
My Aged Care case study: Aunty Shirley’s story
Through My Aged Care, Aunty Shirley arranged for an Aboriginal aged care service to provide her with help at home. Natai helps with cleaning, shopping and more, and the two have developed a close relationship over that time.
Translated resources
The resources below contain useful information about My Aged Care and how to access aged care services.
English
- Poster
- Radio advertisement
Hard copies of the poster (quote 150070) are available from National Mailing and Marketing:
Email: health@nationalmailing.com.au
Phone: (02) 6269 1025
Arrernte
- Brochure
- Brochure (printable version)
- Newspaper advertisement
- Radio advertisement
Pitjantjatjara
- Brochure
- Brochure (printable version)
- Newspaper advertisement
- Radio advertisement
Torres Strait Creole (Yumplatok)
- Brochure
- Brochure (printable version)
- Newspaper advertisement
- Radio advertisement
Warlpiri
- Brochure
- Brochure (printable version)
- Newspaper advertisement
- Radio advertisement