Guideline 6:

Diversity and Inclusion

Addresses the essential foundation that enables care approaches to genuinely enhance wellbeing for every individual in aged care. Across Australia, many aged care providers are doing important and often unrecognised work to serve increasingly diverse communities, engaging in cultural partnerships, collaborating with community organisations, adapting practices for individuals from diverse backgrounds, and working to ensure every person feels safe, respected, and understood.

OVERVIEW

This section acknowledges that commitment, while identifying the structural and systemic barriers that research shows can persist even in organisations with genuine goodwill. For example, there may be gaps in interpreter access, inconsistent trauma-informed practice, and the difficulty of truly embedding inclusion across whole organisations and workforces. These barriers will apply differently in every setting.

This Guideline fundamentally shapes how all other Guidelines enhance wellbeing. Knowing and Being Known (Guideline 1) cannot succeed without understanding each individual’s cultural identity and who and what may have shaped their story. Meaning and Purpose (Guideline 2) requires honouring diverse cultural, spiritual, and personal frameworks to support individuals to find meaning and purpose. Connectedness and Belonging (Guideline 3) demands creating emotionally, psychologically and culturally safe environments. Providing compassionate Palliative Care and Endof- Life Care (Guideline 4) requires culturally appropriate approaches to death, dying, and grief. Support Workforce Wellbeing (Guideline 5) includes recognising staff’s diverse cultural needs whilst building their capability for culturally responsive care.

This Guideline provides practical strategies for embedding diversity and inclusion across care delivery, including creating culturally safe environments, building workforce capability, establishing inclusive language, policies and practices, ensuring accessible communication, and developing community partnerships. Cultural humility is an ongoing commitment to learning, listening, and adapting practice so that every individual can thrive with their identity affirmed, their beliefs respected, and their spirit nourished.

Who will benefit?

Individuals

experience culturally safe, trauma-aware care that honours their identity, enables effective communication, protects against abuse, and enhances dignity and belonging.

Supporters

gain confidence that their loved one is safe, understood, and cared for in ways that respect cultural identity, intersecting needs, and important relationships.

Workforce

develops cultural humility, capability, and confidence in providing inclusive care, with clear protocols for communication, safeguarding, and supporting diverse needs.

Organisations

achieve regulatory compliance, enhance reputation, reduce safeguarding risks, improve outcomes, and build sustainable, inclusive models of care excellence.

What strategies will be used?

Strategy A

Embed Cultural Safety, Diversity, and Trauma-Informed Frameworks, including the establishment of partnerships with National Peak Bodies and Specialist Organisations

Strategy B

Embed Language Access and Communication Support as Standard Practice

Strategy C

Implement Trauma-Aware, Healing-Informed Practice

Strategy D

Implement Elder Abuse Prevention and Safeguarding Systems

Strategy E

Honour Collectivist and Individualist Worldviews

Strategy F

Implement Intersectional Assessment and Care Planning

Strategy G

Build Workforce Capability and Address Specific Diversity Needs

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The related appendix

Guideline 6 – Diversity and Inclusion Strategies	Relevant Standards	Outcomes & Key Actions Referenced	Demonstrated Alignment
Strategy A – Embed Cultural Safety, Diversity & Trauma-Informed Frameworks	Standard 1; Standard 2; Standard 3	S1: 1.1.2(a–f); 1.2; 1.3 S2: 2.1; 2.2b; 2.3 S3: 3.2.1	Embeds Aged Care Diversity Framework and trauma-informed governance across all levels; strengthens cultural safety, partnerships and inclusive leadership.
Strategy B – Embed Language Access and Communication Support	Standard 1; Standard 2; Standard 3	S1: 1.1.2(b); 1.3.1 S2: 2.7; 2.6b S3: 3.3 (3.3.1–3.3.3)	Integrates interpreter services and accessible communication as routine practice; ensures informed consent, complaints access and safe information exchange.
Strategy C – Trauma-Aware, healing-informed Practice	Standard 1; Standard 3; Standard 5; Standard 2	S1: 1.1; 1.2 S3: 3.1; 3.2.1–3.2.2 S5: 5.4; 5.6 S2: 2.2b; 2.4	Implements trauma-aware approaches recognising ACE impacts; builds relational continuity, avoids re-traumatisation and strengthens safety systems.
Strategy D – Elder Abuse Prevention and Safeguarding Systems	Standard 1; Standard 2; Standard 3; Standard 5	S1: 1.2.1 S2: 2.4; 2.5; 2.6b S3: 3.1.1(b) S5: 5.5 (High prevalence risks)	Strengthens safeguarding, culturally responsive screening and reporting pathways; balances collectivist involvement with individual safety.
Strategy E – Honour Collectivist and Individualist Worldviews	Standard 1; Standard 3; Standard 7	S1: 1.1; 1.3.3 S3: 3.1; 3.4 S7: 7.1	Integrates person-in-community approaches into assessment and care planning; balances autonomy with family and community decision-making structures.
Strategy F – Intersectional Assessment and Care Planning	Standard 1; Standard 2; Standard 3; Standard 5	S1: 1.1.2; 1.3 S2: 2.7; 2.3 S3: 3.1; 3.1.4 S5: 5.4	Documents intersecting identities, trauma history and cultural identity; ensures electronic systems support complex identity documentation and holistic planning.
Strategy G – Workforce Capability and Diversity-Specific Supports	Standard 2; Standard 1; Standard 3; Standard 5	S2: 2.2a; 2.8; 2.9 S1: 1.1.2(e–g) S3: 3.2.5; 3.2.9 S5: 5.1	Builds workforce capability in cultural safety, trauma-informed care and intersectionality; addresses discrimination and strengthens inclusive governance and service delivery.

Guideline 6 – Diversity and Inclusion Strategies	NGSCAC Domain	NGSCAC Statement No.	Alignment Explanation
Strategy A – Embed Cultural Safety, Diversity and Trauma-Informed Frameworks	Domain I – Organisational leadership and alignment; Domain IV – Ethical context of spiritual care	1.2; 1.3; 1.6; 1.9; 4.1; 4.6; 4.9	Aligns organisational governance, policies and leadership accountability for inclusive spiritual care (1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 1.9) and embeds culturally safe, trauma-informed ethical practice consistent with respect, dignity and non-discrimination (4.1, 4.6, 4.9).
Strategy B – Embed Language Access and Communication Support as Standard Practice	Domain III – Identifying and meeting spiritual choices, preferences and needs; Domain IV	3.2; 3.5; 3.6; 4.2; 4.5	Ensures accurate identification and documentation of spiritual beliefs and preferences through accessible communication (3.2, 3.5, 3.6), and upholds informed consent, autonomy and ethical engagement across language and communication barriers (4.2, 4.5).
Strategy C – Implement trauma-aware, healing-informed practice	Domain IV – Ethical context; Domain II – Relationships and connectedness	4.3; 4.8; 4.9; 2.2; 2.5	Recognises trauma responses within ethical spiritual care frameworks (4.3, 4.8, 4.9), and strengthens relational continuity, trust and psychological safety (2.2, 2.5).
Strategy D – Implement Elder Abuse Prevention and Safeguarding Systems	Domain IV; Domain I – Organisational leadership and alignment	4.4; 4.7; 4.9; 1.9; 1.10	Supports ethical safeguarding, appropriate boundaries and protection of vulnerable individuals (4.4, 4.7, 4.9), and embeds clear governance and reporting pathways (1.9, 1.10).
Strategy E – Honour Collectivist and Individualist Worldviews	Domain II – Relationships and connectedness; Domain III	2.3; 2.7; 2.9; 3.1; 3.4; 3.8	Aligns assessment and care planning with relational identity and community belonging (2.3, 2.7, 2.9), and ensures documentation and review of spiritual and cultural preferences within care systems (3.1, 3.4, 3.8).
Strategy F – Implement Intersectional Assessment and Care Planning	Domain III; Domain I	3.1; 3.3; 3.6; 3.9; 1.5	Supports comprehensive identification of intersecting spiritual, cultural and identity needs (3.1, 3.3, 3.6), ensures appropriate referral pathways (3.9) and integrates documentation systems at governance level (1.5).
Strategy G – Build Workforce Capability and Address Specific Diversity Needs	Domain I; Domain IV	1.3; 1.6; 1.8; 4.1; 4.6; 4.8	Strengthens workforce capability, supervision and reflective practice (1.3, 1.6, 1.8) while embedding ethical, culturally responsive and trauma-aware spiritual care competencies (4.1, 4.6, 4.8).

Population Group (s25(4))	National Organisation	Description	Website
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (including Stolen Generations)	National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)	Peak body representing Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations nationally.	https://www.naccho.org.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples	Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (Coalition of Peaks)	National representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations.	https://coalitionofpeaks.org.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families	SNAICC – National Voice for our Children	National peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.	https://www.snaicc.org.au
Culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds	PICAC Alliance (Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care)	National coordination of culturally appropriate aged care advisory services.	https://picacalliance.org.au
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual and gender diverse people	LGBTIQ+ Health Australia	National peak body for LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing.	https://www.lgbtiqhealth.org.au
LGBTIQA+ communities	Rainbow Health Australia	National training and accreditation programs supporting inclusive practice.	https://rainbowhealthaustralia.org.au
Adult survivors of childhood trauma and institutional abuse	Blue Knot Foundation	National centre of excellence for complex trauma.	https://www.blueknot.org.au
Care leavers, Forgotten Australians and former child migrants	Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN)	National advocacy and support body for care leavers.	https://clan.org.au
Survivors of institutional child sexual abuse	National Redress Scheme	Australian Government scheme supporting survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.	https://www.nationalredress.gov.au
Parents and children separated by forced adoption	Forced Adoption Support Services (Department of Social Services)	National information and support pathway for those affected by forced adoption practices.	https://www.dss.gov.au/forced-adoption-practices
Veterans and war widows	Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL National)	National veterans’ advocacy and support organisation.	https://www.rsl.org.au
Veterans’ families and dependants	Legacy Australia	National organisation supporting families of veterans.	https://www.legacy.com.au
War widows	War Widows’ Guild of Australia	National advocacy and support body for war widows.	https://www.warwidowsguild.org.au
People with disability	People with Disability Australia (PWDA)	National cross-disability rights and advocacy organisation.	https://pwd.org.au
People with intellectual disability	Inclusion Australia	National peak body for people with intellectual disability and their families.	https://inclusionaustralia.org.au
Autistic and neurodivergent people	Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)	National service provider and advocacy organisation for autistic people.	https://www.autismspectrum.org.au
Disability advocacy sector	Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA)	National peak body for disability advocacy organisations.	https://www.dana.org.au
People with mental ill health	Mental Health Australia	National peak body representing the mental health sector.	https://mhaustralia.org
People experiencing complex mental health challenges	SANE Australia	National organisation providing mental health support and advocacy.	https://www.sane.org
People experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity	Homelessness Australia	National peak body representing homelessness services.	https://homelessnessaustralia.org.au
Housing stress and disadvantage	National Shelter	National housing policy and advocacy peak body.	https://www.shelter.org.au
Migrant and refugee communities	Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA)	National peak body representing multicultural communities.	https://fecca.org.au
Settlement and refugee support	Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA)	National peak body for settlement services.	https://scoa.org.au
Interpreting services	Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)	National government interpreting service.	https://www.tisnational.gov.au
Deaf community	Deaf Australia	National peak body representing Deaf people.	https://deafaustralia.org.au
Deafblind community	Deafblind Australia	National organisation supporting people who are deafblind.	https://deafblindaustralia.org.au
Vision-impaired and blind people	Vision Australia	National provider of services for people who are blind or have low vision.	https://www.visionaustralia.org
Rural, remote and very remote communities	National Rural Health Alliance	National peak body for rural and remote health.	https://www.ruralhealth.org.au
Financial hardship and disadvantage	Financial Counselling Australia	National peak body for financial counsellors.	https://www.financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au

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