Western Australia’s Hall & Prior has announced that Perth’s first Aboriginal-specific health and aged care home will open in 2028.
The residential care home will provide key services and support for older First Nations people from across the state, giving some residents the chance to return to Country. The site will also provide dialysis treatment and specific training and education programs.
Federal Government funding was confirmed in December 2024 through the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP). The $25 million commitment was the largest from that round of ACCAP funding.
With a total projected cost of $65 million, the WA and Australian Government will contribute a shared $25 million to the 100-bed home.
“We are truly delighted that the Sister Kate’s project was successful in securing $25m in Federal Government funding towards the construction of the facility,” Hall & Prior Chief Executive Officer Graeme Prior stated.
“A re-elected WA Labor Government also recently announced they would provide an additional $5m capital grant and a $10m low interest loan for the project. This is in addition to funding of $10m, secured from the State Government in 2021.”
The new home will be located in Queens Park, just 11 kilometres southeast from Perth’s CBD. It will be built on a 2.7-hectare site owned by Sister Kate’s Home Kids Aboriginal Corporation, a not-for-profit charitable status Stolen Generations Organisation.
The pair have been working on the landmark project for several years with a focus on establishing the partnership, developing stakeholder advocacy, conducting feasibility studies and designing the facility.
Hall & Prior referred to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety which identified numerous shortcomings in how the aged care system supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Royal Commission stated that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are entitled to receive support and care that is culturally safe and recognises the importance of their personal connection to community and Country.
It said this care must be culturally respectful and safe, high-quality, trauma-informed, needs-based and flexible, all while providing integrated care. However, it noted that there are many barriers preventing older First Nations people from accessing culturally safe and aware care.
Hall & Prior said it will provide a much-needed care environment and program that is both culturally and spiritually specific to the needs of Aboriginal people through the development of the service model.
It plans to build on experience gained from an existing specialised Back to Country Program at its Windsor Park Aged Care Home in Carlisle which assists Aboriginal care recipients to return to their communities.
Specific training and education programs will also be provided to support Aboriginal people to work in the health and aged care sector, building on another key Royal Commission recommendation. Partnerships with local Aboriginal organisations will be a cornerstone of this approach.
While Hall & Prior will operate the site, the land and buildings are leased from Sister Kate’s. New purpose-built buildings will also be constructed.
“The facility will be the first of its kind in WA – a centre of excellence for how to best provide health and aged care services for the Aboriginal community, as well as providing aged care services to those people regarded as homeless,” Sister Kate’s Chairperson Dr Sue Gordon said.
Kerry Hill Architects has been appointed as project architect. It has completed a study tour of relevant First Nations care homes as part of the design process.
Past work on Bilya Marlee, which houses the School of Indigenous Studies, Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and the Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health at the University of Western Australia showcases its understanding of Aboriginal design.
Hall & Prior and Kerry Hill Architects are also collaborating on Woodside Aged Care. Purchased in 2017 and with a projected 2027 open date, the innovative development in East Fremantle incorporates the historic Woodside House in the integrated community.
