ADACAS - ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service

21/08/2026

Content note: This post discusses institutional harm and redress.
Please engage with it in the way that feels right for you.

The National Redress Scheme was set up after the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse made its recommendations. The scheme aims to recognise survivors’ suffering and hold institutions to account for their actions.

Redress cannot undo what happened in childhood or erase its lasting effects, but it can officially acknowledge that harm occurred.

An offer of redress may include a financial payment, but eligible survivors can also receive counselling and psychological care, as well as a direct personal response from the responsible institution.

A direct personal response can include an apology that recognises the person’s experience and its impact, the institution's acceptance of responsibility, and an explanation of the steps taken to prevent future abuse.

Redress takes different forms because harm affects people in many ways. The impact can be seen in health, relationships, trust, a person’s sense of safety, as well as financially. For many survivors, institutions denied, downplayed, ignored, or failed to properly acknowledge what happened. If a survivor receives an offer of redress, they can choose which parts to accept or decline.

There is no obligation to seek a direct personal response just because it is offered.

ADACAS offers free, confidential, and trauma-informed support for anyone thinking about applying to the National Redress Scheme. An advocate can explain the process and assist with the application whenever the person feels ready, at their own pace. Contacting ADACAS for information does not mean that a person has to proceed with an application.

To find out more about our National Redress Scheme advocacy, contact ADACAS on (02) 6242 5060 or visit our website at adacas.org.au.

20/08/2026

When people reach out to ADACAS, they usually want help with a problem that is affecting them or someone close to them.

We always put the individual first.

Whether we're supporting an older person, a person with disability, someone experiencing mental ill-health, or a family carer, we work alongside people to understand their rights, explore their options and advocate for the outcomes they're seeking.

Sometimes similar issues begin to emerge.

When we see patterns, they guide our systemic advocacy. This means we work to improve systems, policies, and practices so they better protect the rights and interests of the people we support. It could be a delay in getting support, a policy that does not work as planned, or a barrier that affects several people.

Change so often begins with listening.

If you're experiencing difficulties navigating aged care, disability, or mental health systems, you do not have to face it alone. ADACAS offers free, independent, and confidential advocacy. We work with you so your voice is heard and your rights are respected.

To find out more about our services or talk to an advocate, visit www.adacas.org.au or call 02 6242 5060. For aged care advocacy in the ACT, call 1800 700 600.

19/08/2026

It might seem fair to treat everyone the same, but when people have different communication needs, experiences, or circumstances, doing so can create barriers rather than remove them.

Equitable support for people with disability and those experiencing mental ill-health is about recognising that people may need different approaches to access the same opportunities, understand their rights and participate in decisions that affect their lives, rather than offering the same approach to everyone.

This could mean sharing information in plain language, giving extra time for conversations, offering different ways to communicate, or just asking, "What would help you take part in a way that works for you?" Sometimes, the most inclusive approach is simply to ask what someone needs, rather than to assume.

Small changes can make meaningful differences.
We believe everyone should be able to exercise their rights, make informed decisions and have a genuine say in matters that affect their lives, in a way that suits them.

Through our free, independent and confidential advocacy for people with disability and those experiencing mental ill-health, we work alongside people to uphold their rights and ensure their voices are respected and heard in ways that suit them.

To learn more about our services and how we might help you, contact ADACAS on 02 6242 5060 or visit www.adacas.org.au.

17/08/2026

At a recent ADACAS presentation at the Uniting Day Centre in Deakin, one attendee shared how ADACAS had supported her before. One of our Financial Advocates helped her resolve her concerns.

Our advocacy support for older people isn't just about navigating aged care services. For many older people, understanding costs, fees, and financial decisions can be just as overwhelming as the aged care system itself.

If you need help understanding aged care fees, have questions about charges, or are unsure about an invoice, having the right information and support can really help.

ADACAS provides free, independent, and confidential financial advocacy. We help older people understand their options, know their rights, and address any concerns about government-funded aged care services.

If you have questions about aged care costs, your rights, or the services you receive, you don't have to figure it out on your own. Ask to speak to our ADACAS financial advocate when you call.

You can call ADACAS on 1800 700 600 or visit www.adacas.org.au.

17/08/2026

ADACAS was glad to have a stall at the Calvary Home Care Support Workers Conference 2026. The event brought together home care workers, service providers, and organisations all focused on helping older people live well at home. It was a good opportunity to build relationships, share knowledge and raise awareness of the support available through independent advocacy.

Home care support workers are often among the first to notice when an older person's needs are changing. They also play an important role in helping people connect with the right information and services.

ADACAS offers free, independent, and confidential aged care advocacy for older people in the ACT. We support older people and their families to help them understand their rights, navigate the aged care system, and make sure their voices are heard.

If you work with older people and would like to learn more about aged care advocacy or arrange a free information session for your team or organisation, contact us on 1800 700 600 or visit www.adacas.org.au.

13/08/2026

Over the coming months, you may notice ADACAS on buses and maxi taxis across ACT/Queanbeyan, Wollongong/Illawarra, and Bateman’s Bay.

Most people will pass by without giving it a second thought, but for someone trying to navigate aged care, disability or mental health services, seeing the right information at the right time could be the first step towards getting support.

We’re making our services more visible, but we hope these messages do more than catch people's attention.
Hopefully, they help someone discover that they don't have to navigate complex systems on their own.

ADACAS provides free, independent and confidential advocacy for older people in the ACT, and for people with disability and those experiencing mental ill-health across the ACT and parts of regional New South Wales. We also offer support to people across Australia who are considering applying to, or are already involved with, the National Redress Scheme.

If you see one of our buses or maxi taxis while you're out and about, remember that the message might be exactly what someone needs to see that day.

To find out more, visit www.adacas.org.au or call 02 6242 5060. For aged care advocacy, call 1800 700 600.

13/08/2026

ADACAS welcomes the appointment of Kate Pope PSM as Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care.

Because we work closely with older people every day, ADACAS understands how important independent oversight and ongoing improvement are in aged care. The Inspector-General helps monitor Australia’s aged care system, reports on reforms, and looks for ways to improve care for older Australians.

We congratulate Ms Pope on her new role and appreciate the Inspector-General’s work in supporting changes that make aged care stronger and fairer for older people.

We thank Natalie Siegel-Brown for her contributions and wish her well in her expanded role with the UN.

12/08/2026

It's one thing to know you need support. It's another to know when that support will actually arrive.

The Sydney Morning Herald article linked to this post (31 July, subscription required) highlights growing concern about the lack of transparency around waiting times for the government-funded Support at Home program after older people have already been approved for assistance.

Waiting is difficult. Waiting without clear information can be even harder. As one person quoted in the article said: "They don't know if it's three weeks, three months or 12 months."
This uncertainty affects more than planning. It affects older people, family carers and loved ones trying to balance work, caring responsibilities, their children and changing support needs while they wait.

The experiences described in the article echo concerns that ADACAS advocates hear from older people and their families. While advocacy can't remove every delay, it can help people understand their rights, explore their options and advocate for fair treatment and access to information throughout the process.
Everyone should have timely, easy-to-understand information so they know where they are in the process and what to expect next.

If you have questions about government-funded aged care or need support, ADACAS offers free, independent, and confidential aged care advocacy in the ACT. Call us on 1800 700 600 or visit our website at www.adacas.org.au to learn more.







https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/overwhelmed-adult-children-caring-for-parents-demand-aged-care-clarity-20260728-p60j6v.html

Families and carers want a quarterly count of those in line for assessment and funding, and those who had died while waiting for support.

12/08/2026

Imagine More is offering a free, hands-on workshop called Digging for Buried Treasure: Unearthing Neighbourhood Connections. The session will be led by Cormac Russell, an internationally recognised expert in community development.

ADACAS is happy to share this opportunity with the people and organisations we support. If you are a family member, supporter, or work with people with disability, this workshop could give you useful ideas and a new way to think about connecting with your community.

Monday, 17 August 2026 – be quick!
Click the link to find out more and register.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if there were a simple and cost-effective way to help isolated individuals connect with their neighbours and truly engage with their local community?

Fortunately, there is such an approach: Asset-Based Community Development.

Next week, Cormac Russell, one of the world’s most respected social explorers, will be in Canberra to present a one-day workshop on this topic.

If you haven’t attended one of Cormac’s events before, you’re in for a treat! With 25 years of hands-on experience, he understands what is needed to bring communities together. His approach ensures that those who might typically live on the fringes are welcomed and included in community life.

This workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn from Cormac Russell while he’s in Australia. Please register promptly to secure your spot.

🗓️ Monday, 17 August 2026
⏰ From 9:00 am until 5:00 pm
📍 In person in Belconnen, ACT
🍱 This is a fully catered event.
🎟️ Our funding from the NDIA (through a Peer Support and Capacity Building (PSCB) grant) covers all costs associated with delivering this exciting event, so you can attend free of charge.
✨ This event has been developed for families and their support teams.

Learn more and register on our website:
https://imaginemore.org.au/events/buried-treasure/

05/08/2026

Recently, our team held an information session with the Hawker Men’s Shed community group. During the session, someone asked if they should register for a My Aged Care assessment after turning 65, even though they were still managing well at home.

It's a great question, and one many older people ask. Turning 65 doesn't automatically mean you have to register with My Aged Care right away. Government-funded aged care depends on your care needs, not just your age.

But if daily tasks are getting harder, it might be a good idea to look into what support is available.

Support can include help with things like:
• household cleaning or laundry
• shopping or preparing meals
• showering or getting dressed
• getting to appointments
• staying safe and independent at home.

The Australian Government also encourages people to contact My Aged Care if they:
• have difficulty with daily activities because of physical, mental or social challenges
• need support from another person or assistive equipment to remain independent
• would like to discuss their individual circumstances with a trained My Aged Care staff member.

Learning about your options early can help you get the right support when your needs change. If government-funded aged care is not the best fit, there are other services that can help you stay independent for longer.

If you are unsure where to begin, ADACAS is here to help. We offer free, independent, and confidential advocacy, information, and education for older people, their families, and informal carers. We work with you to understand your rights, navigate the aged care system, and make informed choices about the support that suits you best.

To learn more or talk to an experienced advocate, call us at 1800 700 600 or visit adacas.org.au.