Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing (PICAC VIC)
The Team at the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing
Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing
Benetas’ Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing (the Centre) is the Victorian partner of the PICAC Alliance. The Centre provides expertise in culturally inclusive policy and practices for the aged care sector and has over 25 years of experience in supporting aged care providers to address the needs of older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This important work is achieved through culturally inclusive care training; capacity building, consulting and advice to promote cultural inclusion and equity; and the Centre’s numerous resources including translated resources for aged care workers, research papers, monthly webinars and more.
The Centre’s main activities include:
Metropolitan and Regional Training
Aged Care Cultural and Linguistic-Diversity Mentoring Program
Monthly Webinars on Topics Relating to Culturally Appropriate Care in the Aged Care Sector
The Centre also provides numerous learning resources, practice guides and tools as well as translated resources to support culturally appropriate care for older people. This includes communication cards (across 72 languages!), aged care signage, interpreter cards and more. Find them on their website under the Resources tab: culturaldiversity.com.au
You can also sign-up to The Centre’s mailing list to receive their quarterly newsletter, registration links to their free monthly webinars and other events, and have the opportunity to contribute your views to surveys and consultations: culturaldiversity.com.au/newsletter
Get in touch: Find your local centre
Practice Guides
Practice Guides set out key considerations, actions and resources that can support aged care providers to deliver inclusive services to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
While the Inclusive Service Standards provide a framework for aged care providers to embed a systemic and holistic approach so that their services are welcoming, safe and accessible for everyone, the Practice Guides are intended to be used by managers and staff and inform direct service provision. It is vital that aged care services take into account and address cultural and linguistic need of individual consumers.
Cultural Diversity in Ageing Interactive Webinar Series
The Cultural Diversity in Ageing Webinar Series involves a range of topics relevant to culturally inclusive practice and care and is designed for all staff working in the aged care sector in Australia.
All webinars can be counted as time spent relating to Continuing Professional Development for Nurses to meet the CPD registration standard.
Cultural Diversity in Ageing Webinar Series 2025-26
New Aged Care Standards for Diversity - Expectations for Providers
New Aged Care Standards for Diversity – Expectations for Providers
Date: Tuesday 9 September 2025
Time: 2pm to 3pm (Melbourne time)
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Intended Audience: Aged Care Professionals, Managers and Boards
Outline of the webinar: The webinar will outline further the fundamental shift in thinking that is required to ensure that all older people experience high quality aged care. New system settings in the legislation both explicitly and inherently drive culturally and linguistically inclusive services. Our two presenters will provide their perspectives from extensive consultation with older people including aged care consumers on how providers need to understand high quality care as a concept set out in the Act and identify and design out systemic ageism if they are to genuinely meet intent of the Strengthened Standards.
Hosted by Paul Zanatta, Manager of the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing, the live webinar will also provide participants an opportunity to engage in a Question-and-Answer session with the presenters.
A Positive Culture of Aged Care Rights for Everyone - The Aged Care Act’s Statement of Rights and Diversity
Date: Monday 11 August 2025
Time: 2pm to 3pm (Melbourne time)
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Intended Audience: Aged Care Professionals, Managers and Boards
Outline of the Webinar: A foundational change for Australia’s aged care system is placement of the rights of older people at the centre of the new Aged Care Act (2024). This webinar will explore the benefits of the repositioning and strengthening of rights for individuals who access and use our aged care system and the strengthened obligations placed upon providers regarding people from diverse communities.
This webinar has ended. A recording of the webinar will be available shortly.
Cultural Diversity in Ageing Webinar Series 2024-25
Intergenerational Intercultural Initiatives
Intergenerational Intercultural Initiatives
Outline of the Webinar:
Gain ideas and enhance your knowledge of supporting cultural diversity in your aged care organisation through this discussion of intercultural and intergenerational initiatives.
This webinar will look at a number of inspiring approaches to support and create intercultural and intergenerational activities. It will particularly help aged care providers to understand the potential value of these initiatives for older people in their services and how they might be established.
New and Emerging Communities and their Aged Care Needs
New and Emerging Communities and their Aged Care Needs
Outline of the Webinar:
Seniors from recently arrived communities are increasingly ageing in Australia and organisations may have limited expertise and capability in providing culturally inclusive services to them. This webinar will provide an overview of the needs and preferences of seniors from new and emerging communities. It will help improve the understanding of aged care organisations when supporting seniors from new and emerging communities.
Providing a Culturally Inclusive Lens to the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
Providing a Culturally Inclusive Lens to the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
Outline of the Webinar:
This webinar aims to equip leaders in the aged care sector with the skills to apply a culturally inclusive lens to the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing will present its newly developed guidance material to support culturally inclusive service provision in line with the Standards. This webinar is co-facilitated by The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
Supporting Carers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds
Supporting Carers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds
Outline of the Webinar:
This webinar will provide an overview of issues experienced by carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and how they can be supported appropriately. Carers Australia will provide an overview of how the organisation supports carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. You will also hear from the World Wellness Group’s Cultural Care Program which empowers diverse carers in their mental wellbeing.
The Right to Communicate - Supporting Linguistic Diversity as a Right in Aged Care
The Right to Communicate – Supporting Linguistic Diversity as a Right in Aged Care
Outline of the Webinar:
This webinar will provide an overview and an update on the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care’s free translation project titled “Different languages – Same aged care”, which provides free translations to Australian government funded aged care providers.
Good Practice, Assertive Outreach and Navigation to Support Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Seniors Falling through the Gaps
Outline of the Webinar:
This webinar will showcase good practice models of assertive outreach and navigation support for culturally and linguistically diverse seniors at risk of aged care service disengagement. It aims to highlight the vital need to reach seniors where they are and how to best link them to appropriate services. Sector consultations have shown that seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds often require targeted, specialised support to access aged care services.
Addressing Racism and Discrimination Experienced by the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Workforce
Outline of the Webinar:
The Australian Workforce Census from 2020 indicated that a significant proportion of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds work in aged care. This webinar will discuss current research by the National Ageing Research Institute on racism faced by aged care staff from these backgrounds. Prof. Bianca Brijnath from the National Ageing Research Institute will outline suggested responses and actions to address racism at an organisational level within the aged care workforce. Additionally, Gail Jugow from the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra will present findings on racism and discrimination in the aged care sector in Australia, along with recommendations and resources developed in response to the national survey.
Delivering Culturally Inclusive Home Care
Delivering Culturally Inclusive Home Care
Outline of the Webinar:
Community service providers, Multilink and Umbrella, will share insights, tips, and best practices on how to deliver culturally inclusive home care to seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The presentations will also discuss capability building of staff to support the delivery of culturally inclusive home care.
Understanding How to Become a Specialist CALD Provider
Understanding How to Become a Specialist CALD Provider
Outline of the Webinar:
This webinar will provide an overview of how to become a CALD specialist provider under the national Specialisation Verification Framework. The webinar will be presented in partnership with the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, who will outline the relevant steps to apply for Specialisation Verification. This webinar will provide you with the opportunity to ask questions to the Department. Furthermore, The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing will share its Practice Guide on “Specialisation Verification – People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds”.
Culturally Appropriate Responses to Elder Abuse
Culturally Appropriate Responses to Elder Abuse
Outline of the Webinar:
This webinar will explore the prevalence of elder abuse amongst culturally and linguistically diverse communities and culturally appropriate responses. It will outline and highlight the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria’s Elder Abuse Bicultural Community Educator Training Program. The program is delivered in collaboration with Senior Rights Victoria and works with culturally and linguistically diverse seniors, support services, and community organisations to raise awareness of and prevent elder abuse. The program also equips seniors to seek help. You will learn about unique responses to elder abuse amongst culturally and linguistically diverse communities and how you and your organisation can become more culturally sensitive when responding to elder abuse.
The Centre's Resources to Support Aged Care Organisations
The Centre’s Resources to Support Aged Care Organisations
Outline of the Webinar:
The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing will present its key resources and activities to support aged care organisations including the training it delivers to aged care organisations in regional Victoria. You will hear how you can utilise The Centre’s resources to support culturally inclusive services delivery.
Cultural Diversity in Ageing Webinar Series 2021-25
Access the entire catalogue of the Centre’s Diversity in Ageing Webinar Series videos dating back to 2021 by clicking here.
Training Resources
PICAC Forums and Conferences
The Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care Program (PICAC) providers from NSW, ACT and VIC delivered an online forum on 6 March 2024. Here are the recorded presentations and panel discussions. Specialisation Verification Framework from a CALD Perspective Advocacy for a Multicultural Aged Care Strategy CALD Consumer Voices
Training modules: Inclusive Service Standards
Online Training Modules: Inclusive Service Standards The Inclusive Service Standards were developed to assist aged care providers in the development and delivery of inclusive services to all consumers. They provide a framework for organisations to adapt and improve their services and practices so they are welcoming, safe and accessible. The following four online training modules provide an introduction to each Standard, together with ideas on how you could implement them within your organisation. They are targeted at senior aged care managers and leaders…
Aged Care Cultural and Linguistic - Diversity Mentoring Program
The Centre’s Aged Care Cultural and Linguistic – Diversity Mentoring Program DMP is funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and is a structured mentorship program working with funded Aged Care Providers to develop and implement a Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Action Plan observing the Aged Care Act 2024, Statement of Rights and the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. It provides support for managers, leaders & boards to strengthen organisational systems, policies and practices to better respond to…
Culturally Safe Care
The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing held a Healing History Walk and Truth Telling Yarn for the Aged Care Sector in collaboration with Initiatives of Change Australia. The following topics were addressed in the aged care sector yarn: The visionary founders of the Aboriginal Advancement League and their ongoing struggle for social justice; The work of Initiatives of Change in building trust with Indigenous communities through the Turruk program; The importance of co-designing aged care facilities with Indigenous community members; Reconciliation Action Plans and…
Training programs from across the sector
See below links to training programs and professional development available across the sector Cross-Cultural Care Program for Aged Care Staff This online training program was developed by Flinders University, Resthaven Inc. and AnglicareSA Inc. and funded through the Department of Health. The aim of this program is to support staff in residential aged care homes to provide high-quality cross-cultural care for residents and to improve team cohesion. This program includes five learning modules and Work related English Language Resources for Staff. Facilitator manual PDF Workbook…
Regional Training
Based on previous consultations by The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing (The Centre), we identified a significant need for more culturally appropriate aged care training in regional Victoria. As a result, we are offering training on culturally appropriate care to Government funded and subsidised aged care organisations in regional Victoria. The training will be delivered in the 2024-25 Financial Year. Our training module “Delivering Culturally Appropriate Care” is specifically designed to help aged care providers meet the compliance requirements set…
Multilingual Resources
Communication Cards
The Communication Cards depict a wide range of daily activities and situations and can be used to prompt discussion, assist with directions, clarify a client’s needs and more.
Bilingual Phrase Cards
The Bilingual Phrase Cards depict a wide range of daily activities and situations and can be used to prompt discussion, assist with directions, clarify a client’s needs and more.
Aged Care Signage
The Aged Care Signage will assist residents in aged care facilities navigate their way around their home or service. Signs such as ‘kitchen’, ‘dining room’, ‘keep out’, ‘danger’, and ‘this way to the garden’, will help improve communication with residents/clients and minimise confusion.
Cultural Care Plan
The Culturally, Linguistically, and Spiritually Appropriate Care Plan supports providers in recording the cultural, linguistic, and spiritual needs and preferences of consumers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and assists in providing culturally inclusive aged care.
Interpreter Cards
The Victorian Government has developed wallet-sized cards for people who require assistance with requesting interpreter services. The cards also help service providers to identify which language is required. The cards feature the National Interpreter Symbol.
Consumer Feedback Forms
The Consumer Feedback Form can be used by service providers to provide an easy and accessible way for consumers, family members, representatives and others to provide feedback to the service.
Consumer Voice Videos
You can ask for what you need from aged care services. These short videos encourage older people from culturally & linguistically diverse backgrounds to ask for what they need from Aged Care Services.
Multilingual health and aged care information
Click here to access a range of multilingual health and aged care information including health and wellbeing resources, dementia support, disability and NDIS information, mental health links, financial resources, safety information, communication tools, directories and search engines and much more.
COVID-19: Translated resources
Resources and Guides
Cultural Care Compass
The Cultural Care Compass (CCC) has been developed by the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing (The Centre) to support aged care providers to adopt culturally inclusive approaches and practices to meet the needs of culturally, linguistically and spiritually diverse seniors.
Cultural Care Compass Planning Tool
The Cultural Care Compass Planning Tool assists aged care organisations to become better equipped to address the diverse needs of their consumers. The tool enables people working in aged care to take a systemic and holistic approach to improving their organisation’s current services and practices so they are welcoming, safe and accessible for everyone.
Culturally Appropriate Care Videos
Access the culturally appropriate care videos directly by clicking here.
Or you can watch the videos below:
Celebrating culturally and linguistically diverse seniors citizen club volunteers
We spoke to culturally & linguistically diverse senior citizen club volunteers about what the clubs & volunteering mean to them.
What’s the one thing you’d change about aged care?
The Centre’s info-byte video series promotes discussions on improving the aged care system. We also asked them what’s the one thing they’d like to change about aged care.
Ageing in Australia Videos
Access the Ageing in Australia: The Immigrant Experience video’s by clicking here.
The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing presents a unique educational resource for aged care and related service providers to enhance the delivery of culturally inclusive aged care. Ageing in Australia: The Immigrant Experience features four people from different migrant backgrounds approaching the later stages of life sharing their migration experiences, reflections of living in Australia and their hopes as they age in Australia. Capturing life stories and acknowledging people’s individual life experiences is key to the provision of culturally inclusive aged care. Ageing in Australia: The Immigrant Experience provides a rare insight into the experiences of older Australians from migrant backgrounds, and gives the four people featured a unique opportunity to express their thoughts on ageing in Greek, Turkish, Italian and Vietnamese languages.
The 20-minute production is a valuable discussion starter for providers seeking to enhance their training and deliver more culturally and linguistically inclusive aged care services.
You can purchase a hard copy of Ageing in Australia: The Immigrant Experience DVD by downloading and filling out the order form.
Watch the Ageing in Australia: The Immigrant Experience three-part video on YouTube by clicking here.
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