Request for Tender (RFT) for Translation Services for Commonwealth Aged Care Providers and Recipients

This procurement is part of the Australian Government’s aged care reforms which responds to the finding of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (the Royal Commission) that ‘diversity should be core business in aged care.’ The Australian community, including senior Australians and the aged care workforce, is diverse, with a third of older people living in Australia being born in a non-English speaking country.

The Australian Government 2021-22 Budget included a measure providing $65.2 million over 4 years and ongoing to provide greater access to translating and interpreting services for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people. This is intended to increase the ability of people to access information, make informed decisions and exercise choice within the aged care system by providing translating and interpreting services for senior Australians in their preferred language.

This Request for Tender is seeking a supplier to deliver the CALD translating component of this measure from February 2024 to June 2028. This element of the measure is to allow aged care providers, aged care peaks, Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care (PICACs) and the Department of Health and Aged Care to communicate key written and audio/video messages to aged care recipients in languages other than English and in Easy English, and in formats that meet the needs of diverse communities. This will include provider-specific information on request, such as:

• care plans
• a welcome brochure
• information about how the provider establishes care plans with care recipients, or
• a home care agreement

This may include information translated into audio or video form, with appropriate co-design, to be suitable for low literacy and cultural requirements.