Australia is rich in cultural and individual diversity.
- We are home to the world's oldest continuous culture, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Nearly one in three Australians were born overseas and more than one in five Australians speak a language other than English at home.
- People have different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs.
- We live in geographically different environments from metropolitan cities to rural communities to remote areas.
- Our population is also growing, even given a declining birthrate due to increases in life expectancy and migration.
Our older population
Our population is ageing with both the number of people aged over 65 years and the proportion they represent in our total population increasing. One in six people are now aged 65 years or over. The diversity seen in our whole population is also seen in those over 65 years. The diversity of Australia’s older population also means that some groups may be more or less likely to seek and use aged care services. The older person’s access to services is also affected by where they live. Usage is influenced by distance, the availability of services, and the types of services accessible.
More than one in three older people were born overseas, with 12% speaking a language other than English in addition to English, and 6% speaking a language other than English without confidence in English. People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds often encounter greater challenges in accessing and engaging with health and aged care services.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live in all parts of Australia in metropolitan, rural and regional areas. They can access aged care services at over 50 years. A broader age group is used for First Nations people because of their greater need for care at a younger age compared with non-Indigenous Australians. They may also prefer services that are local to their community and on country. Country is the term often used by Aboriginal peoples to describe the lands, waterways and seas to which they are connected. First Nations people can make use of mainstream services as well as services tailored to their specific needs.
Older people also reflect many different backgrounds, beliefs and circumstances. This includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, and intersex (LGBTI) people, people who are homeless and/or financially disadvantaged, care leavers, people living with dementia, and veterans.
Implications for aged care
Changes to our demographic profile are driving changes within the aged care system. Sustained low fertility and increasing life expectancy have economic, workforce and policy implications. The nature of who we are as a population in terms of culture, beliefs and preferences is also shaping the reform agenda. Specific actions are being taken to ensure that aged care is culturally safe, seen as accessible to all older people and meets the needs of the different groups within our community.
Data reports through AIHW and Gen Aged Care are providing more detailed information on aged care usage. The Aged Care Diversity Framework sets out actions that need to be taken to ensure aged care services meet the needs of people from diverse backgrounds.
The Aged Care Act to come into effect on 1 July 2025 is human rights based. Human rights recognise the inherent value of each person, regardless of background or what they look like, what we look like, and what they think or believe.
Our diverse workforce
There are around 370,000 aged care workers in Australia. A skilled, diverse and valued workforce is needed to ensure safe and high-quality care for older people. The aged care workforce itself is diverse, representing a range of cultures, backgrounds and beliefs. Although data is limited, 1.2% of nursing and personal care staff across the service types identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Additionally, 17% of directly employed nursing and personal care staff were temporary residents, with personal care workers making up 83% of this group. Nearly 2 in 5 (39%) employees in residential aged care services spoke a language other than English at home.
Creating a tolerant and inclusive workforce culture is an important strategy for ensuring a sustainable aged care sector.
Page updated 01 November 2024