Aboriginal carers a 'looming crisis'

A crisis is looming in the care of Aboriginal children because of the ageing population of carers, a royal commission has heard.

Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald questioned witnesses on Wednesday afternoon about the high proportion of Aboriginal children who are cared for by their grandparents.

"We've heard this anecdotally that there is a looming crisis ... in relation to Aboriginal carers," he said.

The commissioner questioned whether it was a genuine issue and if any strategies are being put in place to address it.

Connie Salamone, the director of strategy and services for Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), said there was definitely a problem.

"There's no doubt," she said.

Ms Salamone said there were difficulties attracting Aboriginal carers and agreed grandparents were ageing in an otherwise youthful population.

"I look at the poor support we offer basically in terms of brokerage funds for example to kinship carers. Many of the Aboriginal carers who are looking after children are quite poor," she said.

"I think a number of things can be done. I think it is an issue - a major issue."