MAC National Symposium – 14/10/2025

Language, Rights and Access: Innovation and Best Practice in Intercultural Communication

An Interdisciplinary Approach

 

The New Aged Care Act is binding law and it a Rights based framework, due to come into effect 1 November 2025. It will bring with it a new regulatory landscape and obligations emphasising the rights of older people accessing aged care services, including the right to independence, autonomy, privacy, and safe, quality care.

There is currently a disparity on how to ensure that older people are at the centre of their care, with services designed to support their individual needs and preferences and are treated with respect and have the quality of life they deserve.

During this symposium we will highlight policy mandates and obligations that govern equitable service standards, cultural inclusivity and delivery of safe, sustainable and quality aged care services.

Communication in our globalised world has undergone vast transformations with a range of communication formats and channels being used to inform people. As technology becomes more flexible and accessible, aged care service providers are required to implement several different communication channels to inform CALD older people of the Aged Care Reforms and how to access and navigate the aged care system.

The Government of Australia funds the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) to provide free interpreting and translating services for aged care providers and older people accessing aged care, in their preferred language, to make informed decisions. The availability and access to qualified interpreters presents a major challenge to service providers.

The Royal commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommendations stipulate the need for systemic change. The New Aged Care Act, the Strengthened Aged Care Standards, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and the Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care all have a vast repository of translated resources available to build awareness and capability in the aged care sector.

Join us for this MAC Symposium to discuss and explore:

• what is available
• what may the possible consequences be
• equitable access
• what are the legal and social impacts for your organisation and your older people
• what are the alternatives
• the use of bilingual/bicultural workers
• culturally appropriate assessment
• culturally appropriate resources
• the opportunity to ask questions from the experts

Our exciting line-up of speakers includes:

• Dr. Erika Gonzalez Garcia (Associate Professor in Translating and Interpreting and Senior Fellow at Advance HE)
• Melanie Metz (Deputy Commissioner, Sector Capability and Regulatory Strategy)
• Cecilia Chiolero (PICAC Manager, COTA NT),
• Stephen Donald (Care Finder, Country & Outback Health)
• Consumer advocates, aged care assessors, and more to be announced.