South Australia

Silver Rainbow Training

Tags: DEI Training Ageing Well South Australia

LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Aged Care Training:

Silver Rainbow Training (SRT) is offered exclusively by Thorne Harbour Health SA, the only community-controlled, dedicated LGBTIQ+ health service in South Australia.

Delivered in partnership with LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, the nation’s peak body for LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing, this training is appropriate for both Aged Care and non-Aged Care settings.

Thorne Harbour Health SA offers a range of training options, including Silver Rainbow Essentials, HIV Training, Open Sessions, and Tailored Training designed to meet the needs of your organisation.

As our population ages, so too does the number of LGBTIQ+ elders requiring compassionate and knowledgeable care. Many of these individuals have experienced discrimination, social isolation, or unique medical needs that need to be acknowledged in a care setting.

Silver Rainbow helps professionals across many sectors understand these challenges and provide a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for all.

Silver Rainbow is offered exclusively by Thorne Harbour Health, in partnership with LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA), Australia’s peak LGBTIQ+ health organisation.

To register for training, please fill out our form below, responding to simple questions about your organisation and training needs.

Enquire About Training

What Does Silver Rainbow Training Cover?

Silver Rainbow training is practical, interactive, and tailored to meet the needs of workers at all levels. Whether you are a nurse, personal carer, administrator, or facility manager, this training provides meaningful insights and real-world applications to help you create a more inclusive environment for older LGBTIQ+ people.

Training Packages

1. Silver Rainbow Essentials

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cost: $990 (+GST) — groups up to 30 face-to-face or unlimited online

This introductory training explores the fundamentals of LGBTIQ+ diversity and inclusion. Covering health equity, community demographics, social determinants of health, and the impacts of social isolation, Silver Rainbow Essentials equips staff with the knowledge needed to better support LGBTIQ+ clients and residents.

2. Silver Rainbow Essentials + Free HIV Combo

Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes (1 hr 15 mins + 1 hr)
Cost: $990 (+GST) — groups up to 30 face-to-face or unlimited online

This package combines Silver Rainbow Essentials with HIV Training, giving staff the knowledge and confidence to engage with LGBTIQ+ clients as well as older people living with HIV.

3. Silver Rainbow Inclusive Practice

Duration: 3 hours
Cost: $2,000 (+GST) — groups up to 30 face-to-face or unlimited online

An interactive training that builds on Silver Rainbow Essentials. Participants engage with topics including health equity, sexuality, discrimination, cycles of invisibility, language, cultural safety, person-centred care, and trauma-informed care.

Delivered within the framework of the Aged Care Quality Standards and the Aged Care Act, this training helps staff identify strategies to make their practice more inclusive, informed, and respectful.

4. Silver Rainbow Inclusive Practice + Free HIV Combo

Duration: 4 hours
Cost: $2,000 (+GST) — groups up to 30 face-to-face or unlimited online

This package combines Inclusive Practice with HIV Training, equipping staff to confidently work with people from LGBTIQ+ communities and older people living with HIV. Featuring locally produced lived-experience video content, this training offers a unique opportunity for participants to integrate new knowledge and strategies into their daily practice.

5. Open Sessions

Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Cost: $150 (+GST) per person, per hour — individuals or groups up to 8 face-to-face or online

For staff who may have missed earlier training, open sessions are available at our Adelaide office: 33 Pirie Street, Adelaide.

Tailored Training

We also offer tailored training designed to meet the specific needs of your organisation.
Rates are negotiable depending on requirements.

Optional Training Components

To further enhance learning and ongoing professional development, organisations also have access to the following optional components:

Access to 4 LGBTIQ+ Specialist Modules (online): These additional self-paced modules cover specific areas of LGBTIQ+ inclusion in greater depth.
Four Communities of Practice (CoP) per year (face-to-face or online): Join a supportive network of professionals in the Aged Care sector to:
- Share experiences and learn from real-world case studies
- Discuss challenges and best practices in LGBTIQ+ inclusion
- Connect with industry experts and other professionals
Rainbow Connection – Volunteer Matching Service: A unique initiative that matches older LGBTIQ+ people with volunteers to help combat social isolation and loneliness.
Access to Information and Health Services: Silver Rainbow participants also gain access to a wealth of information, resources, and healthcare programs, including specialist support for people living with HIV.

Why is This Training Important?

Older LGBTIQ+ people may face:

Past discrimination leading to mistrust of healthcare services
Limited family support networks, increasing reliance on formal Aged Care
Higher rates of mental health issues due to stigma and trauma
Unique medical needs, such as gender-affirming healthcare or HIV treatment

At the same time, many LGBTIQ+ elders seek connection, community, and a sense of belonging. This training helps Aged Care workers provide affirming and respectful care to meet these needs.

Silver Rainbow training aligns with:

Industry Quality Standards
The Specialisation Verification Framework
The Aged Care Act
Diversity Action Plans

By participating in Silver Rainbow, your organisation demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity, professional excellence, and the highest standard of care for all older Australians.

Flexible Training Delivery – On-Site or in Adelaide CBD

Silver Rainbow is flexible and accessible, with training sessions available:

At your workplace (on-site)
At our Thorne Harbour Health training venue in Adelaide CBD
Online (for selected components)

This flexibility ensures that all Aged Care providers, regardless of location or size, can access high-quality LGBTIQ+ inclusion training.

Join the Silver Rainbow Community of Practice

The Silver Rainbow Community of Practice (CoP) is open to anyone working in Aged Care who wants to learn more about LGBTIQA+ inclusion.

What’s in it for you?

Learn from experts and guest speakers
Share experiences and gain insights from peers
Network with like-minded professionals
Discuss real-world challenges and solutions

CoPs are free to attend, and we warmly invite you to join us!

By ensuring your staff are educated, equipped, and empowered, you can create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all older Australians. Join us in building a better Aged Care sector.