Sonal Sapkota’s story begins in Nepal, where she honed her skills as a nurse in an intensive care unit, dreaming of a future where her expertise could flourish.
In 2018, she arrived in Australia with ambition in her heart, pursuing a master’s degree and navigating a complex web of visa restrictions and bridging programmes to become a registered nurse (RN). It was a journey marked by resilience and sacrifice, years of planning, thousands of dollars spent, and an unwavering commitment to care.
But when Sonal stepped into the world of residential aged care in 2020, she encountered a reality far removed from the compassionate environment she had envisioned. Instead of support and recognition, she faced a subtle yet pervasive undercurrent of racism that tested her spirit and nearly broke her resolve.
Still noticeably apprehensive about sharing her story, Sonal recalls her early days in aged care. “I thought aged care would be different,” she says. “You are putting your parents in aged care for good care and everything. But it was like, ‘Oh my God, not what I expected it to be.’”
The shock wasn’t just about the workload or the system – it was the way she was treated, not as a skilled professional, but as an outsider whose background was a barrier rather than a strength.
The racism Sonal experienced was rarely overt; it hid in the shadows of condescension and exclusion.
Colleagues and managers would remark, “Oh, you did not learn that in your country? It’s a bit different here in Australia,” their tone dripping with superiority. When she sought promotions, leveraging her ICU experience and proven competence, she was dismissed with comments like, “You have a lot to learn because you don’t know Australian things.”
Despite her qualifications and dedication – one of the best nurses in her wing – opportunities were dangled just out of reach, reserved for those deemed more “Australian.” Shifts, too, became a battleground, with less desirable hours assigned to her and threats from HR that refusal would mean no work at all.
“You people normally like to work these shifts,” she was told, the phrase lumping her into a faceless category rather than acknowledging her as an individual.
But it wasn’t just the staff. The residents, the very people Sonal cared for, could be the cruellest. She recalls a particularly harrowing night shift, nearing 10:40 p.m., when an elderly former nurse demanded a vitamin K injection for a nosebleed – a treatment unavailable in that facility.
When Sonal explained this, the resident erupted. “You, a nurse coming from another country, you don’t know the system here,” she shouted, threatening to report Sonal to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and have her registration – and visa – revoked.
“You need to go back there,” the woman spat, her words echoing down the hallway for all to hear. Humiliated and shaken, Sonal turned to her manager, only to be met with indifference: “It’s OK, she’s old.” No action, no support, just a shrug that left Sonal questioning her worth.
The toll was devastating. “It affected me mentally,” she admits. “I didn’t sleep for nights, because I was questioning my own ability as a nurse. ‘Am I not made for this? Should I quit nursing?’” The fear of losing her visa, the years of effort unravelled by a single complaint, loomed large.
“I literally worked my butt off to be in that position,” she says, her voice breaking. “Then her telling me that – it wrecked my mental health.” It was one of the reasons she left aged care after two years, disillusioned and on the verge of abandoning the profession she loved.
Sonal’s story is not unique. She notes that around 40% of aged care workers come from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, many facing similar subtle discriminations – overlooked promotions, undesirable shifts, and a culture that fails to value their contributions.
“The system is not good,” she says. “The whole culture needs to change.” When she raised concerns, her CALD colleagues urged her to stay silent, “Just shoosh, nothing will be done” – but Sonal couldn’t accept that. Yet, her managers’ refusal to act only deepened her sense of powerlessness.
“It makes you think, ‘Oh, nothing will be done, so I should not be saying anything about it,’” she reflects. “Which is wrong. Racism affects your mental and physical health a lot.”
For Sonal, the turning point came when she joined Community Home Australia, where she now serves as Clinical Services Director. Under the guidance of Dr Rodney Jilek and her mentor Nicole Smith, she found a workplace that not only rejected racism but celebrated diversity.
“Dr Rodney interviewed me for 45 minutes,” she recalls, smiling. “He talked a lot about the CALD workforce and how racism is not tolerated.” Nicole empowered her to speak out, affirming that her past experiences were unjust. At Community Home, residents are included in cultural celebrations, fostering understanding rather than division.
“We explain what it is and why it’s celebrated,” Sonal says. “They feel like, ‘Oh, OK, yes.’” Racism, she insists, “does not exist” there.
Sonal’s journey is a testament to resilience, but it’s also a clarion call for change. She believes aged care must cultivate CALD leadership to create a positive, inclusive environment – a shift that could motivate and satisfy workers like her.
To Nepalese and migrant workers entering the sector, she offers hard-earned advice: “Look at the workplace that aligns with your values, not just the salary. Otherwise, it will really hamper your mental health.” Culture, she insists, matters more than the highest available pay-rates.
As Sonal thrives in her leadership role, she carries the scars of her early struggles but also a renewed sense of purpose. Her story lays bare the quiet racism that festers in some aged care settings, undermining the very people who sustain them.
It’s a plea for recognition, for action, and for a future where migrant workers are valued not just for their labour, but for the richness they bring to a system in desperate need of their care.
Hear more about Sonal’s story in the latest episode of the aged care sector’s With All Due Respect podcast.
Yes, it is dismissed and too many in the sector are silent.
Microaggressive disrespect (casual racism) damages the workforce and sector. Workforce crisis? Maybe people are turned off aged care due to a toxic culture?
Well done Sonal for your advocacy.
Just like a pregnancy, it is either racism or it is not. There is no fine line there. Calling it casual racism is babble, but there is disrespect that was caused by an unkind workplace. Perhaps by horrid work colleagues, some using their power. Looking into the dialogue here, there seems to be jealousy through envy and just plain nastiness many busy workplaces have.
So sad for this RN and pleased she has now found her niche. Howrver I warn against the usr of the tetm ‘mental hdalth ‘ to describe rational feelings Australians are vefy prone to mindlessly ape American marketing and mind control rhetoric. America does jot wany us to think yhere are problems so the word had morphed to the ridiculous ‘challenge’. America wanted to change the powef stductire against the individual so ‘service” haz been changed to (fake) care/supporg. Death hax become passed and ask/contact is now the beggibg ‘reach out. Clearly this woman did not have the pathology of a mental illness.
It’s very sad to read of this racism in aged care. It doesn’t belong anywhere in our now wonderfully multicultural society. People should be grateful to have carers wherever they’re from, just as long as they are qualified.
And don’t forget the reverse. I’ve had 16 years in aged care HR and have seen myriad nationalities’ racism towards Australians – staff and residents. Segregating themselves out at lunch time or at social functions, speaking in their own language in front of consumers and staff. This is not a one way street. I’ve seen it the other way too of course but we need balance in the conversation.
I have found the opposite to be true. As a Caucasian Australian, l am often the only white Australian on my shift. I have witnessed handovers conducted in a different language, discussions about residents being conducted in a different language and medication training being conducted in a different language.
As a casual l was the last to be offered shifts and when l asked why, l was told that if the RNs were Australian l would get work as it was the nurses that called in staff.
I have been asked by carers to call ambulances because they knew they would be asked a barrage of questions and did not have the English skills to answer.
I worked a shift where l was the only Caucasian Australian and all the other carers who were terrific carers but had strong accents. We were assisting a Caucasian Australian into bed and the carer commented that it was good that l was here because he always had trouble understanding the carers because of their accents!
There are good and bad carers of all nationalities.
I believe that people have a right to speak their own language but l think when actually working, it should be english only and staff can speak whatever language they like on their break.
One thing l think that foreign workers don’t understand it that in Australian culture it is considered rude to speak in another language in front of people. This is perceived as the foreign workers disliking australians and being excluded.
I often hear that we need multicultural workers as the residents are multicultural.
In my 10 years working in Aged Care, l have not come across one African, Indian, Nepalese, Fijian, East Timorese or Filipino resident. Also some communities like the Greek, Jewish, Dutch, Italian, Arabic or Chinese set up Nursing Homes to cater for their own communities
Being excluded from work conversations or functions etc, regardless of race is actually considered bullying.
I enjoy working with foreign workers and l have learnt so much and l treat all workers with respect but it can be hard going when you cannot understand work conversations.
I fully understand because in a few recent hospital stays numerous staff were from the south Asian countries. Wonderful people, but every time I was given advice, or told to do something, or asked to roll over and all that stuff, I could not understand them. As they waffled amongst themselves they spoke mother tongue, which in front of the 4 patients, is bad manners. However, very nice people, just a pain in the ear to put up with. Stressful actually depending on how unwell a person is.
Looking at Sonal’s photo, an attractive lady. But how can anybody pick if she came from Timbuktu or Tasmania. The same treatment could arise towards an Aussie from another state, if the work environment wasn’t kept in check. Those ‘racist’ claims, I think, is too harsh given the descriptive language. It seems to be more like a cross between power, ego, envy and unfriendly work buddies. But I love the story, because she has worked and studied hard to be a nice, kind, wonderful person.
A facility I worked at embraced multiculturalism. We had an Indian nurse pregnant with no family so we had a baby shower with the residents to share in her joy. The residents loved it as well. We now have so many nationalities working in Australia and if the staff cannot embrace the differences then it flows onto the residents (many of whom were raised in white Australia). I personally have found most cultures were empathetic and caring. Maybe the staff need to take a leaf out of their behaviours. We need to embrace and celebrate their culture and learn from it.