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Working in aged care

Workers caring for people from non-English speaking (culturally and linguistically diverse) backgrounds

This page provides information on the support being made available to the aged care workforce in caring for older Australians from non-English speaking (culturally and linguistically diverse) backgrounds.

• The number of older Australians from non-English speaking (culturally and linguistically diverse) backgrounds is expected to increase by over 40 per cent between 2011 and 2026 in line with the overall increase in the older population.

Older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds share with other Australians the range of needs that arise from the ageing process. However, they also experience special needs. Under the Aged Care Act 1997, older people from non-English speaking (culturally and linguistically diverse) backgrounds are identified as a special needs group.

Support is available for the aged care workforce in building the capacity for aged care providers to deliver culturally appropriate care.

Support is available through:

• Aged Care Workforce Vocational Education and Training — Aged Care Workforce Fund
• Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care Program
• Community Partners Program

Aged Care Workforce Vocational Education and Training — Aged Care Workforce Fund

The Aged Care Workforce Vocational Education and Training program provides training in certificate-level qualifications to aged care workers and additional short course training to aged care workers in rural and remote areas of Australia.Top of page

Funding under the program includes provision for additional support to students with language, literacy and numeracy needs.

Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care Program

The Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care (PICAC) Program aims to equip aged care providers to deliver culturally appropriate care to older people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

• The program funds one organisation in each state and territory.
• The PICAC organisations conduct activities including: training, information sessions, workshops, and resource development.Top of page

The eight organisations funded from 2011-12 for three years are:

State	Organisation
ACT	ACT Government Health Directorate
NT	Council on the Ageing (NT) Inc
TAS	Migrant Resource Centre (Southern Tasmania) Inc
WA	Independent Living Centre of WA
SA	Multicultural Aged Care Inc
QLD	The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland Ltd
VIC	Anglicare Aged Care Services Group trading as Benetas and Centre for Culturally Diversity in Ageing
NSW	Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra Inc

For further information on the PICAC program, including contact information for PICAC organisations, see: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ageing-picac-0809-guidelines.htm

Community Partners Program

The Community Partners Program provides grants to community based organisations representing culturally and linguistically diverse communities. These organisations use these grants to provide support for older people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities in accessing aged care information and services.

• The grants include support and training for aged care workers.

Related links

• Australian Multicultural Foundation (AMF) have developed a Providing Culturally Appropriate and Inclusive Aged Care Manual, in partnership with UnitingCare Ageing NSW, which provides increased understanding through information, practical activities and case study analysis.
• Australian Multicultural Foundation (AMF) and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have developed dementia audio tape resources for carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Copies of these audiotapes are available from the Aged Care Information Line on 1800 500 85 or through http://amf.net.au/entry/dementia-audiotapes
• The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing primarily supports the aged care sector to address the needs of elderly people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

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