The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) is urging governments to take action to address gaps in Australia’s aged care reforms, warning the current system is failing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and placing community-controlled health providers under increasing pressure.
The Council says Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders face significant disadvantage under a new Support at Home co-payment model, which fails to recognise long-standing inequities including limited access to superannuation, lower rates of home ownership, and greater reliance on government payments.
The concerns were highlighted during QAIHC’s two-day Elder Care Workshop, where Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner, Andrea Kelly, spoke about the widening gap between what communities need and what the aged care system is currently designed to deliver.
QAIHC Acting CEO, Paula Arnol (pictured) said the November 2025 reforms will worsen inequities unless governments involve communities in designing solutions.
“The current reforms are not addressing the realities faced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders,” she said.
QAIHC General Manager, Sector Development, Gregory Richards said elders face financial barriers and services that don’t meet their cultural needs.
“Without real collaboration and support for community-controlled providers, these reforms could make the gap worse instead of closing it,” he said.
Interim Commissioner Kelly rejected the idea that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders are choosing to leave aged care programs, saying many are forced out by barriers in the system.
QAIHC and sector partners are urging governments to take immediate steps to:
- Establish a permanent First Nations Aged Care Commissioner as a statutory office-holder;
- Work with communities to design services and their funding;
- Provide long-term, reliable funding for Indigenous providers;
- Provide funding to the ACCHO sector to deliver mentorship programs for Members to become registered aged-care providers;
- Allow flexible, early support programs;
- Make cultural safety and community leadership central in aged care.
“Without urgent change, these reforms intended to strengthen aged care risk will cause lasting harm to the very people they are meant to support,” Ms Arnol said.
