New research highlights the impact of racism, isolation and cultural exclusion on African Australian seniors, and the urgent need for culturally safe care
A new report from the African Think Tank (ATT) and Africause has highlighted the need for culturally safe ageing and aged care services for African Australian seniors.
Inclusive Ageing – Free from Racism: African Australian Seniors Anti-Racism Project draws on surveys, focus groups and community consultations with African Australian seniors across metropolitan and regional Victoria.
Participants highlighted several positive experiences of ageing in Australia, including access to healthcare and social services, opportunities for education and employment, strong family and community connections, and the benefits of living in a multicultural society.
At the same time, many described experiencing racism in everyday life, including in health and aged care settings. Several said these experiences had affected their sense of safety, dignity and belonging, and left them fearful of entering residential aged care.
Nthati Rametse, one of the report’s authors, said it was critical that ageing policy and services better reflect the experiences of African Australian seniors as this population continues to grow.
“The growth of this cohort faces distinct cultural, structural and access barriers.”
“Mainstream ageing systems do not adequately address these barriers, so culturally safe policy and care are essential for equitable and effective support.”
The report found language barriers, cultural misunderstanding and a lack of culturally appropriate services often limited people’s interactions with institutions and service providers.
The report recommends dedicated community hubs where African Australian seniors can socialise, maintain cultural connections and connect with others who share similar backgrounds.
Other multicultural communities have developed culturally tailored aged care homes and services, while similar models for African communities remain limited.
The report calls for mandatory anti-racism standards across aged care services, backed by workforce training.
“Providers must be required, as a condition of licensing, to implement explicit zero-tolerance policies addressing racism, discrimination and cultural exclusion,” Rametse said.
The report also recommends governments work with African communities to establish aged care homes and home care services designed around the specific needs of African Australian seniors.
Visit ATT’s website: www.att.org.au
Read the report here
Read this and other seniors’ stories
in the Winter 2026 edition of ECCV’s
eMagazine, Multicultural Ageing.