Migrant Resource Centre (PICAC TAS)

The Team at Migrant Resource Centre

Introduction

The Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care (PICAC) Tasmania program, operated by Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (MRC Tas), is an integral part of the national PICAC Alliance. Established with funding from the Federal Department of Health since 1997, PICAC is dedicated to enhancing the quality of aged care services for older people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The program’s overarching goal is to ensure that the aged care system is inclusive, respectful, and responsive to the diverse needs of all older Australians.

Program Objectives

Government Support: PICAC Tasmania collaborates with government bodies to ensure policies reflect the diverse needs of older people, promoting an inclusive environment that acknowledges all cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Peak Organisations and Representative Groups: We work with peak organisations to offer guidance and resources, helping them better address the needs of older people from diverse backgrounds with culturally appropriate practices.
Aged Care Service Providers: The program supports aged care providers in enhancing policies and practices to better serve older individuals from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds, ensuring inclusive and culturally responsive care.
Consumers: We encourage older people to provide feedback and engage in co-designing aged care services, ensuring that their experiences and preferences drive continuous improvements in service delivery.

Our Mission

The mission of the PICAC Tasmania program is to:

Enhance Culturally Appropriate Care: Support aged care providers in delivering care that is sensitive to the cultural and linguistic needs of older people.
Promote Inclusivity: Work towards an aged care system that accommodates and values the diverse backgrounds and life experiences of all individuals.
Address Diverse Needs: Ensure that the unique needs of older people from varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds are effectively identified and met.
Strengthen Partnerships: Improve collaboration between aged care providers, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and the Department of Health.

Contact Information

For assistance and further information, please contact:

Claudia Madali
PICAC Officer
Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania
Phone: (03) 6221 0999
Email: cmadali@mrctas.org.au

National Context

The PICAC program is part of a broader national initiative under the PICAC Alliance. For more details about the national program, visit www.picacalliance.org.

Aged Care Quality Standards

Our efforts are aligned with the Aged Care Quality Standards, which emphasise the importance of valuing each consumer’s identity, culture, and diversity. Standard 1 specifically focuses on delivering culturally safe care and services, integrating diversity throughout the standards.

Aged Care Reform

In response to ongoing reforms, the Australian Government is transitioning to a new Support at Home program, set to replace the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme from 1 July 2025. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme will transition to the new program no earlier than 1 July 2027. These changes aim to enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of in-home aged care services.

Resource: In-Home Aged Care Reform

For more information on the Aged Care Diversity Framework and CALD Action Plan, please visit the relevant sections on the Australian Government’s aged care website.

The PICAC Tasmania program remains committed to ensuring that aged care services are responsive, inclusive, and culturally appropriate, reflecting the rich diversity of Australia’s older population.

What do they offer?

Click on this link to access the full PDF: New Flyer PICAC Tasmania 2024