Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner and Other Measures) Bill 2026

Summary

This legislation creates a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner to oversee aged care services for First Nations older people, addressing the specific needs of Indigenous communities that have historically been underserved by mainstream aged care systems. The changes amend the existing aged care legislation to establish this Commissioner's powers, responsibilities, and how they'll work with aged care providers and regulators. This matters because Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people often face barriers accessing culturally appropriate aged care, experience poorer health outcomes in their later years, and need an advocate specifically focused on their rights and needs within the aged care system.

What happens at this stage

The final vote in this chamber on the bill as a whole, after all amendments have been considered. If it passes, the bill moves to the other chamber to go through the same process. If both chambers have already agreed to identical text, the bill proceeds directly to Royal Assent.

Next: The other chamber, which runs the same process from First Reading, or Royal Assent if both chambers have already agreed