Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

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.

If you are a Stolen Generations survivor, there are some helpful resources from the Healing Foundation. You may like to share these resources with your chosen provider to help them better understand your care needs.

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) 5523 0311	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 Miali Brumby Rd, Katherine, NT, 0850	(08) 8971 1999	Yes, No
Tjilpi Pampaku Ngura Aged Care Service	Lot 130 Great Central Rd, Kaltukatjara, NT, 0872	(08) 8956 7262	Yes, Yes
Nganampa Ngura Mutitjulu-nya (Mutitjulu Flexible Aged Care Service)	Lot 37 Petermann Road, Mutitjulu, NT, 0872	(08) 8956 2651	Yes, Yes
Pulkapulkka Kari Nursing Home and Hostel	50 Peko Rd, Tennant Creek, NT, 0860	(08) 8962 1222	Yes, Yes
Barkly Aged and Disabilities Program - Ali Curang, Alpurrurulam, Ampilatwatja, Elliott, Urapuntja	41 Peko Road, Tennant Creek, NT, 0860	(08) 8962 0000	No, 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, 0822	(08) 8987 6598	No, Yes
Malandari Flexible Aged Care Service (Borroloola)	Mara Camp, Robinson Rd, Borroloola, NT, 0854	(08) 8975 6716	Yes, Yes
Malala Flexible Aged Care Service (Maningrida)	Maningrida Community, 458 Main Rd, Maningrida, NT, 0822	(08) 8979 5474	Yes, Yes
Yuendumu Old People’s Programme	344 Walpiri Avenue, Yuendumu, NT, 0872	(08) 9856 4145	Yes, Yes
MacCare Aged and Disability Service - Areyonga, Finke, Haasts Bluff, Hermannsburg, Imanpa, Papunya, Amoonguna, Titjikala	Cnr Bagot St & South Terrace, Alice Springs, NT, 0870	(08) 8958 9605	No, Yes
Kintore Aged Care	Lot 154/ Kintore St, Kintore, NT, 0872	(08) 8956 8759	No, Yes
Kalkarindji Flexible Aged Care Service	Lot 86 Janama Street, 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
Ltyentye Apurte Community Care	133 Main St, Santa Teresa, NT, 0872	(08) 8956 0899	No, Yes
Mount Liebig Aged Care - Purple House	13 Kelly Rd, Mount Liebig, NT, 0872	(08) 8952 8616	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, Yes
Kukatja Place	65 Landsborough St, Normanton, QLD, 4890	(07) 4745 1599	Yes, Yes
Kuba Natha Hostel	22 Lardil St, Gununa, QLD, 4871	(07) 4745 7346	Yes, Yes
Sandy Boyd Hostel	310 Park Rd, Palm Island, QLD, 4816	(07) 4770 0275	Yes, Yes
Georgina Margaret Davidson-Thompson Hostel	694 Wynnum Rd, Morningside, QLD, 4170	(07) 3395 6888	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	Tjilpi Pampa St, Pukatja, SA 0872	(08) 8956 7033	Yes, Yes
Flinders & Far North Home & Community Care – Amata, Fregon, Indulkana, Mimili, Pipalyatjara, Coober Pedy, Marree	67 Henley Beach Rd, Mile End SA 5031	(08) 8346 9155	No, Yes
Tullawon Aged Care	Eyre Hwy, Yalata, 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	2 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
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	(03) 5820 6200	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
Ngamang Bawoona	33 Sutherland St, Derby, WA, 6728	(08) 9161 5500	Yes, No
Juniper Marglu Village	27 Coverley St, Wyndham WA 6740	(08) 9161 1431	No, Yes
Juniper Community Care – Kimberley - Kununurra, Derby, Wyndham	Kununurra, 6743	(08) 9161 1640	No, Yes
Yaandina Home Care	56 Hampton St, Roebourne, WA, 6718	(08) 9182 1172	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.