About the program
This program funds aged care services to:
- meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- allow them to remain close to home and community
Most of these services are in rural and remote areas.
Aged care service providers and organisations can apply for funding through grant rounds.
To find out more about these services for yourself or an older person you care for, go to support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Why it is important
We want older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to feel culturally safe when they receive aged care.
This means we need aged care services that:
- recognise, respect and support their unique cultural identity
- meet their needs, wants and rights
Our services
The program funds residential and home care services that are:
- flexible
- culturally appropriate
- acceptable to and accessible by the community
Most services under this program are in rural and remote areas.
How the program works
Service providers must:
- deliver a mix of aged care services that meets community needs
- follow policies and practices that support culturally appropriate care
- help people to stay connected with their family and community
- support individual interests, customs, beliefs and cultural backgrounds
To give culturally appropriate care, providers may do various things like:
- have buildings suited to cultural activities and ceremonies
- provide access to bushland gardens
- employ Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples to provide care
- include the local community in aged care planning
- respect cultural traditions, such as men’s and women’s business
Read the program manual and the exit pathway to find out more.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program Manual
Aged care reforms and changes
Aged care models will be improved as the reforms are implemented, the reforms will impact future all aged care programs, including the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) Program.
Changes to the NATSIFAC Program will align with key reforms, such as the new Aged Care Act while ensuring service providers can continue to deliver flexible, culturally safe care to meet to the individual needs of First Nations Elders and local communities.
While the aged care reforms are being implemented, NATSIFAC service providers will receive ongoing funding to ensure continuous continuity of care and delivery of quality services.
How to apply for funding
The program grant opportunity is now open to existing service providers on Grant Connect. This is a closed, non-competitive, non-application based grant.
The objective of the grant opportunity is to renew existing program service provider grant agreements from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2025. Funding arrangements beyond 30 June 2025 will need to reflect changes resulting from the broader aged care reforms, including the new Aged Care Act.
We advertise funding rounds on Grant Connect. To get automatic emails about new grant listings, register as a Grant Connect user.
Find out more about the entry pathway into the program.
Who we work with
The Department of Health manages and develops policy for the program. We also organise grant rounds and funding for the program.
Funded aged care service providers deliver the services.
Contact
