Support for people who are from culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse backgrounds
If you’re from a culturally, ethnically or linguistically diverse background, you have the right to aged care services that support your needs.
Whether you need help to live at home for longer or move into an aged care home, you can find high quality, culturally appropriate aged care services that acknowledge your experiences and meet your needs. If you’re an older person and need extra support, you may be eligible to apply for aged care.
On this page
Aged care is changing
The new Aged Care Act is an important reform that embeds the right for you to:
- access culturally safe, trauma-aware and healing-informed assessments and aged care services
- stay connected to your community.
Find out more about how aged care reforms will impact you.
Can I get services that cater for my needs?
All providers must recognise your individual needs and values. You have the right to live the life you choose, make decisions about your aged care services, and get support when you want or need it. Aged care providers must explain your aged care services in a way that you understand.
You can access government-funded aged care services if you have care needs and are at least one of the following:
- aged 65 years and over
- an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 years and older
- homeless or at risk of homelessness and aged 50 years and older
- already living in an aged care home or accessing aged care services.
You have the right to receive high-quality care and be treated with respect. Government-funded care should value your identity, culture and background.
Some providers tailor their services to meet the needs of specific groups. This includes older people who are from culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
You can also identify providers that offer tailored care in the Find a Provider tool. This includes older people who are from culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse backgrounds. To help narrow your search, use the filters to find and compare providers that offer the care you need.
How do I find a provider that is right for me?
You may be looking for help at home or considering moving into an aged care home. My Aged Care can help you find aged care services.
The first step is to apply for an assessment. You can register for an assessment online. My Aged Care, or a support service, can also help you.
Your assessor will visit you at home, to chat about your goals and needs. They will let you know what services you are eligible for, then suggest local providers that may be able to help you.
Some providers listed in the Find a Provider tool have been verified as delivering care and services that meet specific needs of people from specific backgrounds or life experiences. These providers have undergone a process that validates their claims as a provider of specialised care and services.
Specialisation Verification helps you to be confident that their claims of specialised care have been verified by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing using the Specialisation Verification Framework.
You may like to ask friends or family for recommendations, or community and spiritual groups for recommendations or guidance about other providers.
What questions can I ask aged care providers?
When you’re starting to think about aged care or are talking to providers for the first time, it’s good to think about the kind of care you would like.
Prepare some questions to ask when you meet with them can be very helpful. You can take your loved ones, carers, supporters, or anyone you trust with you to these meetings. Some example questions are included below.
These and more questions can be found on the 10 Questions to Ask website. While it focuses on questions you can ask when looking for an aged care home, most of them work for receiving help at home services as well.
The Department also has a consumer guide to help you understand what you are entitled to in aged care and help express your needs when speaking to aged care providers.
Who can help me access aged care?
Aged care can be confusing and complicated. That's why there are many ways to get some help with this process. You can speak to someone who understands your culture, background and experiences. There are free services to help you at every step of the way.
What support is available for carers?
If you are caring for someone, short-term and emergency respite services are available. For emergency respite care, contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737. You can find out more about services to support carers on the Carer Gateway website.
We also have dedicated information available for carers.
What if I have concerns about my care?
If you are made to feel unsafe or uncomfortable, or have a concern about your rights, you should tell someone. This could be your aged care provider, a staff member, a friend, family member, an aged care advocate, or anyone you trust.
Learn more about your rights.
You also have the right to raise your concern or make a complaint with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Doing this shouldn’t affect your support services. Discuss the issue with your service provider first, as it may be something they can resolve. You have the right to stop services at any time.
If you are not comfortable talking to your provider, OPAN provides free advocacy services.
Learn more about raising complaints and concerns.
Useful resources and contacts
The following services and programs may be able to help.
Interpreting services for aged care
TIS National offers free interpreting services to you, your family and loved ones. You have the right to communicate in your preferred language. You should also have access to interpreters and communication supports if you need them.
Translation services
You can ask your provider to have handbooks, agreements, brochures, and signs translated. This service is free for government-funded aged care providers.
Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS)
This scheme supports volunteer visits, providing friendship and companionship if you're feeling isolated. Visits are available to anyone who receives government-funded aged care services.