Cultural Safety Diversity Training Aged Care

Australia's aged care population is among the most culturally diverse in the world. This training guide helps staff develop the cultural humility, awareness and practical skills needed to deliver inclusive, respectful care to consumers from all cultural, linguistic and religious backgrounds — fully aligned to Standard 1 of the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.

Published

May 29, 2026

Cultural Safety and Diversity Training for Aged Care Workers

Australia's aged care consumers come from more than 200 cultural backgrounds, speak over 300 languages, and hold a vast range of religious and spiritual beliefs. Providing culturally safe, inclusive care is not optional — it is a fundamental right under the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and a cornerstone of person-centred practice. This training guide builds your team's capacity to deliver care that respects and affirms every person's identity.

What This Training Covers

Understanding cultural safety, cultural competence and cultural humility
The needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) consumers
Providing culturally appropriate care for First Nations Elders
Religion, spirituality and dietary requirements in aged care
Communicating effectively across language barriers — using interpreters
LGBTQI+ inclusive care in aged care settings
Identifying and addressing unconscious bias in care delivery
Documenting cultural needs and preferences in care plans

Key Learning Outcomes

Explain the difference between cultural competence and cultural humility
Identify key cultural, linguistic and religious considerations for consumers in your care
Access interpreter services and use them appropriately in care delivery
Reflect on personal biases and their potential impact on care
Document cultural preferences accurately in care planning records

Who Should Complete This Training

All aged care workers — including PCAs, clinical staff, kitchen and lifestyle teams, and administrative staff who interact with consumers and families. Mandatory for staff in facilities with high proportions of CALD residents or First Nations consumers.

Alignment to the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards

Central to Standard 1 (The Person), which explicitly requires providers to recognise and respect each consumer's identity, including cultural, spiritual and linguistic identity. Also relevant to Standard 4 (Care and Support) — care plans must reflect individual cultural preferences and needs.

Ensure Cultural Needs Are Captured in Every Care Plan

Governa helps clinical teams check whether cultural preferences and needs are consistently reflected in care planning documentation — and alerts to gaps before audit. Ask Norma how your cultural safety policies align to Standard 1.

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