Caste-oppressed groups in Australia grapple with systemic barriers when accessing services provided by the federal government, often feeling that their unique struggles aren’t adequately acknowledged. In the realm of healthcare, the distinct mental and emotional challenges associated with caste discrimination go unnoticed or untreated, leading to subpar medical care. Aged care facilities do not account for the cultural and psychological intricacies of elders from caste-oppressed backgrounds, exacerbating feelings of isolation. Child care rebates, designed to provide financial relief to families, do not recognise the added financial burdens some caste-oppressed families face, thereby making essential childcare inaccessible. Social security benefits, while broad in scope, do not provide adequate safety nets for caste-oppressed individuals, leaving them vulnerable in times of need. Similarly, services like NDIS and aged pensions, do not fully capture the intersection of castebased discrimination with disability and age, leading to inadequate support.
PATCA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future.
