Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner resigns

After two-and-half years, Andrea Kelly has announced she will leave the role when her position ends in June.

Andrea, a Warumungu and Larrakia woman with 30 years’ experience in the public service, was the first person to fill the role of Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner from January 2024.

The announcement comes less than a month after the Inspector-General of Aged Care, Natalie Siegel-Brown, announced her resignation, effective 31 July 2026.

The establishment of the Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner was a first step in responding to recommendation 49 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Throughout 2024, Andrea held consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, gathering insights on the role of a permanent Commissioner, and hearing about barriers the community faces accessing aged care. 

In February 2025, Andrea released the Transforming Aged Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People report based on her findings, making 31 recommendations. To accompany the formal report, she published an illustrated booklet which was distributed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as a more relatable and accessible format.

The same month, Aged Care Minister Sam Rae announced Andrea’s role as Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner would be extended until June 2026, though a First Nations Aged Care Commissioner had been expected to be appointed in 2025.

Nearly 18 months after publication, the Government has not responded to Andrea’s landmark report.

The Aged Care Minister said the Government is “actively progressing a response”.

Andrea “set the standard for what this Commissioner role can be,” he said.

“From the outset, she has visited communities across the country, sat down with Elders, families, carers and providers, and listened.”

“[Her] landmark piece of work ... will guide this Government’s work for years to come,” he added.