Across Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience health challenges earlier in life and more often than non-Indigenous Australians. 

By age 65, nearly 8 in 10 Indigenous Australians live with a disability or long-term health condition, compared to around 6 in 10 non-Indigenous Australians. 

Despite this greater need, only 16% of eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive aged care services, compared to 26% of non-Indigenous seniors. 

And while Indigenous Australians are 1.5 times more likely to live with a disability, they still face bigger hurdles in navigating systems like the NDIS, from complicated paperwork to services that lack cultural understanding.

These gaps are exactly why Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative established Balert Care Connections, a program bringing together aged care and NDIS support to provide easier access to these services.

What is Balert Care Connections?

‘Balert’ means ‘strong’ in Waddawurrung language, and that’s the goal: helping community members live independently, stay on Country, and feel supported in ways that work for them.

The Balert Care Connections program is our aged care and disability support service. It brings together My Aged Care services, NDIS support, and locally based care under one banner, so First Nations people over 50 or with disabilities don’t have to navigate the system alone.

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Why culturally safe Aboriginal support services matter

For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, past experiences with mainstream health and care systems have left a legacy of distrust. Services that don’t understand cultural needs or community values can unintentionally create barriers, from confusing paperwork and processes to environments that feel unwelcoming.

A lack of culturally safe care is a huge reason why many haven’t accessed these services in the past. That’s why Wathaurong ensures cultural safety when it comes to offering aged care and disability support.

Cultural safety at Wathaurong means Aboriginal support services are shaped by Aboriginal voices, respects culture, and allows people to be themselves without having to explain or defend who they are. When services are culturally safe, people are more likely to seek help early and get the right support for their needs.

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Aged care at Wathaurong – supporting independence at home

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 50, ageing well often means staying in familiar surroundings, connected to family, culture, and community. 

Our Balert Care Connections team arranges services such as:

• Gardening and home maintenance
  
• Personal care
  
• Transport to medical appointments or community activities
  
• Social support
  
• Respite for family or unpaid carers
  
• Case management and advocacy

For some, it’s as simple as a weekly visit to help with housework; for others, it’s a range of services to make daily life easier.

The program runs under the Home Care Package system and the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), with costs often fully covered for First Nations people over 65 on the full aged pension.

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NDIS at Wathaurong – breaking down barriers to disability support

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds support for people under 65 with a permanent, significant disability, covering things like personal care, therapies, and equipment to help them live independently. 

But for too many, disability services have been hard to reach. First Nations people with disabilities are frequently met with challenges in accessing programs, from a lack of culturally appropriate services to overly complex application processes.

Balert Care Connections works to change that. Our Support Coordinators help participants:

• Understand their plan and budget
  
• Connect with therapists, equipment suppliers, and community programs
  
• Overcome barriers to using their funding effectively

A key part of this is our Aboriginal Disability Liaison Officer (ADLO). This role focuses on identifying community members who might be eligible for the NDIS, helping them gather medical evidence, and guiding them through the application process. 

The ADLO is a local Aboriginal worker who understands both the NDIS system and the cultural context of the people they’re supporting.

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New funding to support carers

Behind every person receiving aged care or disability support, there’s often a family member or friend who provides unpaid care. These carers play a vital role. But without rest, the role can take a toll on their health and well-being.

Fortunately, through the Victorian Government’s Additional Respite for Carers program, Wathaurong has received funding to support 150 carers per year across Geelong, Colac, and Ballarat. This funding will provide culturally safe respite options (like in-home help and group activities) so carers can rest and recharge.

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Raising awareness about Wathaurong’s Aboriginal support services

First Nations people that use Wathaurong’s culturally safe aged care and disability services often tell us that they feel more comfortable and better understood than in mainstream programs.

But most people in our community still don’t know Wathaurong offers these kinds of services. 

The services offered through Balert Care Connections can be life-changing – but only if people know they exist. 

Sharing this knowledge is powerful. It connects mob with the support they need to live independently, and helps them access funding for things like equipment, therapy, in-home carers, and community activities. 

If you or someone in your family could benefit from Balert Care Connections, here’s how you can get in touch: 

• Call 03 5277 0044, 
• Email bcc@wathaurong.org.au 
• Drop in to our Geelong West office at 10-12 Albert Street (walk-ins welcome!)

A conversation is the first step to accessing Aboriginal support services that make daily life easier to manage.