$221 million federal support program for First Nations Elders
The new program helps First Nations people seeking health and aged care remain close to their homes and communities
The Australian Government has allocated $106 million for face-to-face support and a further $115 million to build culturally safe aged care facilities. This funding will be delivered over the next four years.
The Trusted Indigenous Facilitators program will build a First Nations workforce in a partnership with the Australian Government and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, alongside Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations. The program will help First Nations people and their families navigate and access aged care services.
The program will create jobs for approximately 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff across Australia. The funding announcement has been welcomed by National Seniors. Chief Advocate Ian Henschke said: “National Seniors supports the federal government’s move to improve First Nations aged care in line with the recommendations of the Royal Commission.”
Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said: “Lack of culturally safe care, a complex system, ongoing trauma, and social and economic disadvantages all contribute to older First Nations people accessing aged care services at a rate lower than needed.”
These new aged care and health services will enable older First Nations people to remain close to their homes and connected to their communities when needing assistance.
Funding for four National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) services in South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland will receive funding to build culturally safe, purpose-built facilities.
Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells stated: “NATSIFAC services respond to the needs of local communities by not only providing quality aged care services and employment opportunities for First Nations people, it also provides staff housing to ensure workforce retention and projects to improve integrated health services. "This grant funding empowers older First Nations people, communities and NATSIFAC providers to contribute to the development of contemporary building design, suitable for people living with dementia, limited mobility, cultural needs and aligned with social expectations."
