Background
ARIIA chose the Jimbelunga Nursing Centre case study because it highlights how culturally safe aged care can be embedded in daily practice through a relationship-based model of care. Jimbelunga’s approach is unique in its commitment to meeting the cultural and spiritual needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as people from diverse backgrounds.
The centre’s workforce development strategies, such as Indigenous-led recruitment, mentoring, and capacity building demonstrate how staff wellbeing and cultural representation directly enhance the quality of care. By showcasing Jimbelunga, ARIIA aims to provide a practical example of how a framework for culturally safe care can be adapted and implemented, supporting both residents and staff in a way that is empathetic, inclusive, and trauma-informed. This case study was prioritised for its relevance to workforce-focused innovation and its leadership in community-led, culturally responsive care.
About Jimbelunga Nursing Centre
Jimbelunga Nursing Centre (JNC), a part of the Brisbane Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service, is unique in its dedication and delivery of care to residents in all aspects throughout the journey of ageing. The JNC meets the cultural and spiritual needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and caters to a wide range of people from other cultures in the wider community. Jimbelunga’s model of care is based on the belief that every person who needs care and support Is entitled to high standards of care, delivered with empathy and professionalism, unrelated to medical, financial or social circumstances provided without judgement. Care is provided in an equitable way, with a balanced approach to managing the financial requirements of the organisation.
Belinda Charles, Operations Manager at JNC, a registered nurse who identifies as Aboriginal originally from Melbourne, has led a culturally transformative process where JNC now has around 40% staff, and 80% residents, who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. This transformation was based on a focus on increasing both the number of staff and residents who identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people – the organisation felt that you couldn’t do one without the other.
Belinda Charles speaks to the Jimbelunga model of care in the following videos
Model of care
The model of care is relationship-based and was developed in collaboration with QUT, resulting in four core values:
- Connection – Diversity-Self-determination-Healing
- Emphasis is placed on understanding a person’s history and its impact, rather than simply knowing it, to ensure care is appropriate and meaningful.
Belinda discusses the culturally responsive approach to delivering care at Jimbelunga, which is owned by ATSICHS Brisbane (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service). This ownership ensures that the facility is designed to meet the cultural and spiritual needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Connection through relationships
Belinda highlights the importance of connection to place and people in the care model at Jimbelunga, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents. While returning to Country isn’t always possible, Jimbelunga supports this connection through its situation within an enriched natural environment with native trees and a creek that attracts wildlife. This helps maintain a spiritual and cultural link to flora and fauna, which is a priority for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The care model goes beyond typical person-centred care. It emphasises deep relationships among all individuals staff to residents, resident to resident, staff to staff, and families. The goal is to build a community where people can find purpose through these relationships.
Diversity
Belinda Charles explains that diversity at Jimbelunga goes beyond external cultural differences—it’s deeply embedded within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and reflected in the residents, staff, and broader community. Both residents and staff have a mix of different spiritual, religious, and cultural backgrounds and may be living with a range of physical and medical conditions. Residents span a wide age range, which fosters meaningful intergenerational relationships. Jimbelunga accommodates family units, such as mothers and daughters, who might otherwise be separated in different facilities. Diversity is embraced as a way to deepen person-centred care, recognising and respecting each individual’s unique background, needs, and relationships.
Self Determination and Healing
Belinda Charles emphasises that trauma-informed care and a holistic approach addressing physical, spiritual, and emotional needs are central to Jimbelunga’s philosophy. Healing is supported by staff, community, and an enriched environment, especially for residents with backgrounds in poverty, homelessness, or incarceration. Jimbelunga offers comprehensive services in one location and benefits from strong ATSICHS Brisbane support, which broadens service access.
Workforce Support
Belinda explain/s why providing support for the workforce is important for an aged care organisation if they are to ensure culturally appropriate care for residents and staff and support culturally sensitive recruitment, training, and retention. Staff-Centred Care provides the foundation with the core values of care at Jimbelunga applying not only to residents but also to staff, recognising that staff wellbeing directly impacts the quality of care provided. Jimbelunga prioritises hiring the right people over those with the “right qualifications” with staff supported to gain necessary qualifications after joining. With over 150 staff members, each is approached as an individual, even if some are known more closely than others.
A worker's journey at Jimbelunga
Maria is a 50-year-old Aboriginal woman with chronic health conditions who was known to ATSICHS Brisbane’s medical clinics. Despite completing a Certificate III, she had no work experience and faced multiple barriers to employment. Her desire to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders made her a strong cultural fit for Jimbelunga. She was given assistance address specific challenges which helped her build a routine and eventually led to her becoming financially independent for the first time in her life. Her improved wellbeing positively influenced her health, her family, and the community. The initiative demonstrated that small investments in people can lead to significant outcomes.
The Jimbelunga difference
The Jimbelunga model of care differs from mainstream aged care by prioritising culturally safe practices that acknowledge the personal and historical experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents. It critically examines standard approaches such as "Doll therapy"* and the use of suppositories, recognising that these can be traumatising for individuals with histories of forced child removal, child loss, or sexual abuse. The model emphasises the importance of understanding each person’s background and trauma before applying clinical interventions, ensuring that care is not only medically appropriate but also emotionally and culturally respectful.
*Reference – use of dolls in dementia care. https://www.dementia.com.au/resource-hub/the-use-of-dolls-in-dementia-care
Other resources
Links below have been created by Jimbelunga and feature images of staff and residents, we acknowledge and respect the opportunity share their stories .
What we learn from this case study
Connect with Jimbelunga Nursing Centre
Website: https://jimbelunga.org.au/contact-us/
Contact no. 07 38070655
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1896364380489183/