Supporting older people and people with disabilities to stay active and connected. Providing culturally appropriate care.
Our services
Social Support Groups
Discover the joy of community! Our Social Support Groups offer activities such as entertainment, exercise and information sessions. We provide morning tea and lunch at a reasonable cost. We can arrange transport if required.
- Wednesday: Multicultural Social Support Group
- Thursday: Chinese Social Support Group
- Friday: Multicultural Social Support Group
- Monthly Multicultural Bus Trip
Individual support
We offer individual support through a range of programs of packages.
Our Case Managers can help you to access assistance with:
- Housework
- Personal Care
- Meals
- Transport
- Outside activities
- Medical issues
- Legal and welfare matters
- Advocacy
Home Care Packages
The Home Care Package program is a federal government initiative providing a coordinated package of services to support people to stay at home as they get older.
Our Home Care Package Program specialises in providing a wide range of support to older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds who want to remain independent and living at home. We encourage independence, good health, social connections and physical activity.
Examples of support provided include:
- support services, such as cleaning and gardening and basic home maintenance,
- transport to help with shopping, visiting the doctor or attending social activities
- personal care
- case management
Home Care Pricing Schedule as of Feb 2024
Home Care Pricing Schedule as of Feb 2024 (Chinese translation)
For information on our Home Care Packages please phone (03) 6221 0999 or email reception@mrctas.org.au
Further information on the Home Care Package Program is available through My Aged Care or by phoning 1800 200 422. If you speak a language other than English call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450.
Tasmanian Home and Community Care (HACC) Program
The Tasmanian Home and Community Care (HACC) Program provides a range of basic core support services targeted at younger people who live in the Tasmanian community and whose capacity for independent living is at risk due to an acute health event, moderate or mild functional impairment or deterioration of an ongoing condition. ‘Younger persons’ are people aged less than 65 years and Aboriginal people aged less than 50 years.
Eligibility
- Live in Tasmanian community;
- Have difficulty performing everyday tasks without help due to moderate functional limitations, or an ongoing health condition;
- Their capacity for independent living is at risk or be at risk of admission to acute care without assistance from the HACC program services.
HACC Program Services offered by MRC Tas
Social support – Assistance provided by a companion, within the home or to access community services. Primarily directed to meeting a person’s need for social contact and or accompaniment to participate in social life. Not normally delivered at or from a fixed facility (including bi-cultural workers).
Centre-based social support groups Assistance provided to a client to attend/participate in group activities and provided at a fixed-base facility. Also includes group excursions/activities conducted by centre-based staff but held away from the fixed centre.
Meals at the centre – Meals prepared and delivered to the client (NOT prepared in the client’s home).
Assessment – Assessment and re-assessment activities including at intake and eligibility determination for service. Also includes comprehensive assessment for a person’s need for assistance and capacity to undertake daily living, and other assessments.
Case management – In addition to care coordination work, refers to arranging additional services by means of brokerage, purchase of services, organising case conferences, actively monitoring for change in client or carer circumstances.
Care coordination – Activities undertaken to facilitate access to HACC services for clients who need help to gain access to more than 1 service. Involves implementing care plan, liaison with service providers, monitoring and reviewing care plan.
Counselling/support, information and advocacy – Assistance with understanding and managing situations, behaviours and relationships associated with the person’ need for care, including advocacy and provision of advice, information and training (including bilcultural workers).
Carers and guests will be charged the same as clients, and this will be added to the client’s invoice.
We invite community members to come along and try our group activities, these will be free the first time you attend (this is not possible in restaurants). If someone wishes to join the group, MRC Tas will assist them to register with MyAgedCare to attend the services.
Fees are invoiced to clients each monthly.
- CHSP HACC Fee Schedule Feb-June 2024
- CHSP HACC Fee Schedule Feb-June 2024 – Chinese translation
- CHSP HACC Fee Schedule Feb-June 2024 – Nepali translation
Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) helps senior Australians access entry-level support services to live independently and safely at home. The Program is based on a person’s support needs and age, e.g. if you are having trouble with everyday tasks and feel a little support could improve your health and wellbeing, CHSP could be right for you.
These services help older Australians to:
- stay independent and safe in their own homes;
- delay or avoid high-level care such as residential care in an aged care (nursing) home;
- stay socially active;
- stay connected with their community.
Eligibility
- 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people); or
- 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless, or at risk of being homeless.
Carers and guests will be charged the same as clients, and this will be added to the client’s invoice.
We invite community members to come along and try our group activities, these will be free the first time you attend (this is not possible in restaurants). If someone wishes to join the group, MRC Tas will assist them to register with MyAgedCare to attend the services.
Fees are invoiced to clients each monthly.
- CHSP HACC Fee Schedule Feb-June 2024
- CHSP HACC Fee Schedule Feb-June 2024 – Chinese translation
- CHSP HACC Fee Schedule Feb-June 2024 – Nepali translation
Financial hardship assistance available. Please email reception@mrctas.org.au or call (03) 6221 0999 for more information and to apply.
Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care (PICAC) Tasmania Program
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 culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) older people.
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.
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Bottom of Form
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 culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) senior.
- 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.
Support Sector Development (SSD)
At SSD MRC Tasmania, we are dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) providers through targeted training and strategic support. Our focus is on developing and managing training sessions that emphasise Quality Standards and practical methods for integrating these standards into everyday business practices. We also work closely with CHSP providers to create effective strategies for engaging and retaining a diverse volunteer workforce, including individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
Our goal is to support CHSP organisations in delivering high-quality, entry-level support to seniors, helping them maintain independence at home and improve their overall well-being. As the aged care sector undergoes ongoing reforms, SSD MRC Tasmania is committed to guiding providers through these changes to enhance service quality and build capacity.