Overview
ARIIA’s Knowledge Exchange Visit supports First Nations aged care leaders to visit other aged care organisations, observe local innovations and approaches to caring for older First Nations people, and understand how these care, service or workforce practices can be adapted for their own organisations and communities. The innovation selected for study may come from any suitable aged care partner organisation providing a culturally safe workplace and culturally safe care; it does not need to be a First Nations host.
The program aims to strengthen leaders’ skills and knowledge in workforce capability building, enabling participants to return with insights they can share and implement within their own organisations.
Purpose of the activity
Many organisations supporting older First Nations people are seeking to strengthen their care and service delivery. This pilot activity, launching in early 2026, will help leaders build knowledge about culturally grounded models of care, workforce management and capability building, and adapt these approaches to meet the needs of their own communities. It promotes community-led learning, the sharing of innovation and stronger connections between aged care services.
How the knowledge exchange visit works
During the application process, participants choose an area they wish to focus on, such as:
- workforce development
- models of care
- career pathways
Upon selection, three First Nations-identifying aged care leaders will complete a one to two week visit at an approved partner site known for excellence in a specific area of aged care.
The partner organisation will share their knowledge, ways of working and culturally safe approaches to workforce capability building or care delivery. Participants will:
- work alongside experienced staff familiar with the innovation of interest
- observe day-to-day operations
- yarn with older First Nations people and workers in the organisation to gain their insights
- learn what matters most to that community
- discuss with a mentor how the innovation might be adapted to suit their own organisation
With guidance from the partner service and ARIIA, each participant will develop a plan to adapt these learnings for their own organisation in a culturally appropriate way.
Support for the visit
ARIIA will cover travel, accommodation and backfill costs for the participants’ organisations, within agreed funding limits. Partner sites that host participants will also receive support for their time and in sharing their innovation knowledge. Participants will have guidance from ARIIA throughout the exchange to help them make the most of their experience.
After the visit
Participants will share their insights through:
- short written reflections
- presentations
- contributions to ARIIA’s First Nations Hub
They will also join a community of practice - an ongoing network of First Nations aged care workers who continue to share knowledge, support one another and help shape future program directions.