Aged care in Australia is undergoing a major transformation—one that puts older adults front and centre. With the introduction of a new Aged Care Act, Australia is shifting away from a system that prioritised services and processes to now embracing a model that champions dignity, autonomy, and high-quality care for every individual. This isn’t just a policy change; it’s a fundamental reimagining of how we support older people, ensuring their voices are heard, their choices respected, and their rights upheld.

 

For too long, Australia’s aged care has been structured around the services delivered rather than individuals needs and preferences. The new framework acknowledges that older adults are not passive recipients of care but active participants in shaping their own lives. This means aged care providers must go beyond simply meeting regulations—they need to embed respect, choice, and person-centred care into every interaction. It’s about creating a culture shift where older adults are recognised as valued members of society, with the same rights as everyone else.

 

A major challenge in this transformation is breaking down the barriers of ageism. Systemic biases have historically limited autonomy in areas like healthcare decisions, housing, and social participation. If we truly want to honour human rights in aged care, we must confront these biases head-on. That means investing in education, training, and strong leadership to ensure that dignity and respect aren’t just ideals, but everyday realities in aged care services.

 

Access to high-quality care is another essential piece of this puzzle. A human rights-based approach demands that every individual has equitable access to long-term care, mental health support, and community-based services.

Importantly, this work must also confront and address the cultural legacies of Australia’s past acknowledging the historical exclusion, discrimination and marginalisation experienced First Nations and culturally diverse communities. All of this is now underway in Australia.

 

Legal and regulatory protections will play a vital role in safeguarding these rights. Stronger measures to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation are essential. This includes clear accountability for providers, better reporting systems, and ensuring that every older adult knows their rights and how to exercise them.

 

This is where the Continuum of Care model comes in. By ensuring seamless, adaptable support across all stages of ageing—from independent living to residential care—this approach reinforces the idea that care should be built around the individual, not around rigid institutional structures. Aged care should be responsive, personalised, and designed to evolve with the changing needs of each person.

 

This session will explore Australia’s journey of making this vision into a reality, whereby we are now embedding human rights into daily care practices, tackling implementation challenges, and unlocking new opportunities for innovation. By reframing aged care through a human rights lens, we are moving beyond compliance to a system that genuinely honours the dignity, autonomy, and worth of every older Australian adult. This isn’t just about changing laws—it’s about transforming lives.

Tom Symondson is a respected voice for aged care, serving as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ageing Australia, the national peak body representing the majority of organisations providing aged care and housing for older Australians.

Since 2022, Tom has led Ageing Australia’s mission to champion a high-performing, trusted and sustainable aged care sector that empowers older Australians to age with dignity, care and respect.

With over 20 years of experience spanning aged care, public health, and local government sectors in both Australia and the UK, Tom has been at the forefront of policy reform, driving meaningful advocacy and shaping strategy to improve care outcomes for over 1.5 million older Australians.

Tom’s leadership is defined by his unwavering commitment to the sector and ensuring older Australians receive the care and support they deserve.