What Is CALD & Why Is It Important?

What does CALD stand for?

CALD stands for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse. CALD in aged care covers people who come from non-English speaking backgrounds or who identify with a culture different from the mainstream Australian context.

The definition of CALD in aged care goes beyond translation. It includes cultural traditions, food preferences, religious practices, communication styles and family dynamics. These factors all shape how someone experiences care and how comfortable they feel receiving it.

For CALD clients in aged care, even small details can make a difference. Being understood, heard and respected helps build trust, which is essential when care becomes part of daily life.

Why CALD matters in aged care

Care that reflects a person’s background can make a noticeable difference to daily life. When cultural needs are recognised, people feel more comfortable, confident and connected to the care they receive.

Cultural safety and inclusion

Feeling respected is essential in any care setting. For many people, this means having their beliefs, values and traditions acknowledged without needing to explain or justify them. Strong CALD aged care services create environments where cultural identity is part of care, not something that is separate from it.

Better wellbeing and outcomes

When someone feels understood, they’re more likely to engage with their care plan. This can lead to better physical and emotional outcomes, especially for those navigating complex health needs.

Language and communication

Clear communication is central to good care. Language barriers can make it harder to express needs or understand instructions. Supporting people in their preferred language helps reduce confusion and builds trust over time.

CALD in Australia: policies and strategy

Australia has recognised the importance of culturally responsive care through national frameworks and policy direction. The Australian CALD policy for aged care focuses on making services accessible and appropriate for people from diverse backgrounds.

The CALD aged care strategy

Under the Aged Care Act and the Aged Care Diversity Framework, providers are legally obligated to respect consumers’ identities, languages and cultural needs, ensuring care is free from discrimination and tailored to the individual. The Aged Care Diversity Framework outlines specific actions for providers to ensure their care models are technically and culturally competent. This strategy focuses on three critical areas:

• Policy alignment: Integrating diversity goals into the organisation’s governance, ensuring that cultural safety is monitored at the leadership level.
• Empowerment through information: Providing clear, accessible pathways to aged care services so that people from CALD backgrounds can navigate the system with the same ease as English speakers.
• Workforce development: Implementing continuous cultural competency training that goes beyond awareness to practical skills, such as understanding diverse health beliefs and kinship structures.

Practical ways to support CALD aged care clients

Supporting CALD clients in aged care often comes down to removing small barriers that can otherwise build up over time. When care feels familiar and easy to navigate, people are more likely to engage with it and feel comfortable receiving it.

Communication that works

Clear communication goes beyond basic translation. It also makes sure the person fully understands what’s happening and feels confident speaking up. This might involve using professional interpreters during assessments or care planning, rather than relying on family members. It can also include simplifying language, avoiding jargon and checking understanding throughout conversations.

For ongoing care, having access to multilingual staff or consistent support workers can reduce stress and help build trust over time.

Food and daily routines

Food is one of the most immediate ways culture shows up in daily life. When meals don’t reflect familiar tastes or dietary practices, it can affect appetite and overall wellbeing.

Helping with prepping culturally appropriate meals or allowing flexibility in meal preparation helps maintain comfort and routine. The same applies to daily habits, such as preferred bathing times, prayer routines or how the day is structured. Keeping these routines intact where possible helps create a sense of normality, even as care needs increase.

Cultural awareness in care delivery

Care needs to reflect more than just physical requirements. For some clients, gender preferences in personal care are important. For others, family plays a central role in decision-making.

Understanding these differences helps avoid situations where care feels uncomfortable or misaligned. It also allows providers to involve the right people at the right time, whether that’s family members, community leaders or religious support.

Staff understanding and training

Good CALD aged care relies on awareness at every level. When staff understand cultural differences, they’re better equipped to respond appropriately and adjust their approach.

This doesn’t mean knowing every cultural detail. However, it means being open, respectful and willing to ask the right questions. Ongoing training helps teams recognise common barriers, avoid assumptions and provide care that feels considered rather than standardised. Over time, this creates a more consistent and positive experience for both clients and their families.

Why CALD aged care services continue to grow

Australia’s population is becoming more diverse, and aged care needs to keep pace. The demand for CALD aged care services continues to grow as more people look for care that reflects their identity and background.

For families, knowing what to look for makes it easier to choose care that feels right. Services that recognise culture, language and personal preferences tend to deliver more meaningful support over time.

Find care that reflects you with Homecare My Way

At Homecare My Way, care is shaped around the individual, not the other way around. We support clients across Australia with flexible, self-managed home care. Gain the freedom to choose suppliers who understand your culture, preferences and lifestyle. This is especially important when considering the meaning of CALD in aged care, where language and cultural familiarity play a role in everyday care.

Call 1300 422 123 or download your free information pack to learn how we can help you create care that feels right for you.