On 17 September 2026, the House of Representatives passed the Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner and Other Measures) Bill 2026. This is an important step towards creating a permanent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner.
The permanent Commissioner will be an independent role within the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. The Bill is expected to be considered by the Senate during the October parliamentary sittings. It must pass the Senate and be approved by the Governor-General before it can become law.
The permanent Commissioner and office are expected to begin operating on 1 July 2027.
You can read the Bill and follow its progress on the Parliament of Australia website.
First meeting of the Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner Advisory Working Group
The Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner Advisory Working Group held its first meeting on 14 September 2026. Members bring experience from community-controlled organisations, government, data and research, and the First Nations aged care sector. The group will advise the Interim Commissioner on setting up the permanent Commissioner and office.
At the meeting, members agreed to the Terms of Reference and a process for giving advice between meetings. They also supported the establishment roadmap, measures of success, and the first risk, issue and dependency register.
Members gave advice on the appointment process and ways for communities to be involved. They agreed that the process must be lawful and based on merit. It must also value cultural authority, lived experience, sector knowledge and community views.
Read a summary of the first meeting.
Planning for the permanent Commissioner and office
In September, the office moved from early planning into detailed design and checks. Work continued to progress the appointment process, recruitment, the future office model and the move to permanent arrangements. This work will help the permanent Commissioner and office be ready to start on 1 July 2027.
The office also improved how it manages and reports its work. It created live logs to track actions, decisions, advice, commitments, risks, issues and dependencies. It also began bringing key dates and responsibilities into one central record. These tools will make ownership clear, support early action on problems and improve reporting.
Engagements and speaking events
Throughout September, the Interim Commissioner continued to listen to Elders, communities and organisations about their experiences of aged care. Her visits to Awabakal, Wyanga and Bungree, together with speaking engagements at the Anglicare Australia conference and Koori Aged and Disability Network Advisory Committee, created opportunities to hear a range of local and sector perspectives.
In Darwin and the Tiwi Islands, conversations with Danila Dilba Health Service and its Seniors Group, Mulakunya Flexible Aged Care Centre, Australian Regional and Remote Community Services' Juninga Centre, Northern Territory Health and Darwin Community Legal Services highlighted the different needs of urban, regional and remote communities.
Discussions with the Primary Health Network and Dementia Support Australia added broader perspectives on access, workforce pressures and culturally safe care. What she heard will strengthen her work and help ensure the permanent Commissioner and office reflect the experiences and priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and older people.
Message from the Interim Commissioner
"September was an important month for the future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner. The Bill passing the House of Representatives brings us closer to a permanent, independent Commissioner. This role will speak up for Elders and older people and help improve aged care.
"I was also pleased to co-chair the first meeting of our Advisory Working Group. Members shared strong experience, honest advice and a commitment to keeping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and older people at the centre of our work. Their advice is already improving our plans for the appointment and the permanent office.
"My visits and conversations during September showed again why we must listen to communities. They also helped us understand how aged care needs differ across Australia. We will keep building relationships and testing our work. Cultural safety and lived experience will continue to guide our decisions.
