Strong foundations for stolen generations: Landmark aged care facility in Perth receives green light

A landmark $89 million project aimed at delivering culturally safe and high-quality aged care for Aboriginal Elders has received development approval, marking a major milestone for Western Australia’s aged care sector.

The Sister Kate’s Health and Aged Care Facility will be the first Aboriginal aged care home in the Perth metropolitan area, providing a 100-bed residence for Elders from across the state. In addition to residential aged care, the facility will offer dialysis treatment, health and wellness programs, and training opportunities for Aboriginal people seeking careers in aged care and health services.

Located on the historic Sister Kate’s site in Queens Park, the project is being developed by Hall & Prior Health & Aged Care Group in partnership with the Sister Kate’s Children 1934–1953 Aboriginal Corporation, an organisation founded by former residents of the original Sister Kate’s Home who were part of the Stolen Generation.

Hall & Prior will operate the facility under a long-term lease, with construction expected to begin in early 2026 and completion anticipated in 2028.

“This project is one of Western Australia’s most significant Aboriginal health and aged care developments and reflects Hall & Prior’s long-standing commitment to providing culturally responsive care,” said Hall & Prior CEO Graeme Prior AM. “Our partnership with Sister Kate’s ensures the care of our residents will be guided by cultural values and community leadership, and we are honoured to be working alongside Sister Kate’s to bring this vision to life.”

Culturally Led Model of Care

Hall & Prior has a long history of collaboration with Aboriginal communities through its Aboriginal Care Program and the nationally recognised Back to Country initiative at Windsor Park in Carlisle.

The new facility, designed by Kerry Hill Architects, will be built alongside existing seniors’ units owned by Sister Kate’s. The design will honour the heritage of the site while delivering a contemporary, best-practice aged care environment.

Key features include 70 rooms with 100 beds, living and dining facilities, a wellness centre, and a hydrotherapy pool on the ground floor. The upper level will include four dialysis treatment beds along with staff offices and training spaces. The heritage-listed chapel will also be integrated as an active part of the site.

Supporting National Priorities

The project directly aligns with the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which called for more Aboriginal-led, culturally safe care. It also supports the Commonwealth’s Closing the Gap objectives by creating employment, training, and community development opportunities.

“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,” said Dr Sue Gordon AM, Chairperson of Sister Kate’s. “It will also provide specific training and education programs to Aboriginal people to work in the health and aged care sector, building key partnerships across local Aboriginal organisations and facilitating sustainable career pathways.”

The project has received strong government backing, with $25 million in funding from the Commonwealth Government through the Capital Assistance Program and a further $25 million from the Western Australian Government via direct grants and concessional loan arrangements.

“This significant level of commitment from Government at the Federal and State levels has laid a strong foundation,” said Mr Prior. “Together, we can build something truly transformative for Aboriginal Elders, for WA, and for the aged care sector as a whole, a world-class aged care facility, led by Aboriginal voices, underpinned by evidence, and grounded in cultural safety.”