About Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessment organisations
A small number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations are offering aged care assessments for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This is a pilot that started in August 2025 and will continue to 30 June 2027. The pilot allows for continual improvement of systems and processes. The pilot is part of a phased rollout, learnings from each phase will inform future phases. This will include learnings on:
- supports for organisations
- assessment processes
- IT systems
- onboarding processes
- training for staff.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care assessment organisations provide:
- choice for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who prefer to access assessments with trusted Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisations
- aged care assessments that are culturally safe, respectful, and grounded in community
- a yarning approach in the assessment so Elders and older people can share their story and talk about their aged care needs, goals and preferences
- face-to-face assessments, where possible
- multiple visits, if required, to develop trust.
A support person can attend the assessment with the older person. This could be a family member, friend, carer or support service like an Elder Care Support worker, care finder or Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) advocate. An interpreter can be requested through My Aged Care so the older person can speak in their language.
Pilot sites
Three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations are participating in the pilot. They deliver aged care assessments in 5 states and territories across metro, regional, remote and very remote areas.
The organisations cover some Aged Care Planning Regions, including:
Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council Aboriginal Corporation
- SA 3 Flinders and Far North
- NT Alice Springs
- WA 3 Goldfields
- WA 3 Pilbara.
Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative
- VIC 3 Campaspe LGA within Loddon Mallee
- VIC 4 Hume.
The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH)
- QLD 2 Sunshine Coast
- QLD 2 Cabool.
We are working closely with these organisations to support them to commence both home support and comprehensive aged care needs assessments.
To check where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations are operating, enter your postcode into the Interactive map of aged care assessment organisations. You can also use the Single Assessment System list of assessment organisations.
If an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessment organisation is not available yet in your region, assessments can be provided from another organisation through My Aged Care.
How to become an assessment organisation
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations that are new to delivering aged care needs assessments will form part of the next phase.
More information will become available once we gather learnings from the first phase of the pilot.
Approaches to market for new organisations will be published on AusTender and promoted in advance through aged care networks and departmental newsletters. This will ensure interested organisations have time to ask questions and prepare. To scale Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessment organisations up nationally, we will work with:
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs)
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs)
- organisations that specialise in providing aged care services to older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Further information will include:
- timeframes for next rollout phases
- requirements for becoming an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessment organisation.
Who we work with
We worked with an advisory group to develop an alternative assessment pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including:
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing and Aged Care Council
- National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
- National Indigenous Australians Agency.
We also have additional partnerships with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations that provide advice and feedback on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
We welcome the opportunity to speak to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care sector community groups. Please email us if you’d like the opportunity to connect.
Resources
Download information and resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care assessment organisations.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care assessment organisations resources
If you’re an Elder or older Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
Elders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over are eligible to apply for an aged care needs assessment.
My Aged Care can help you get aged care services. This is funded with help from the government. Aged care services can help you stay at home for longer.
Visit the My Aged Care website to learn about:
Why this is important
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found that older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience barriers in accessing aged care services. This prevents them from receiving the care they need.
This pilot provides another choice for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing aged care services and defining what is culturally safe for them.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessment organisations recognise cultural identity and connection to family and community to help older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people engage safely with the aged care system and identify what support they need.
This will:
- support more older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access aged care services
- empower older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to make informed decisions about the aged care they receive.
Contact
