Ageing Archives - Consumers' Federation of Australia

14 February , 2025

Urgent increase in rent assistance necessary to lift retirees out of poverty

Rental assistance needs to be urgently increased to ensure that Australia’s retirees are not living in poverty, COTA Australia says. The call follows a Grattan Institute report released today which shows that two in three retirees who rent in the private market live below the poverty line. COTA Australia – the leading advocacy organisation for…

8 October , 2024

Ageism Awareness Day – 9 October 2024

Ageism Awareness Day founded by EveryAGE Counts is a reminder to all Australians that ageism is still rife within the Australian community. Ageism has a direct adverse impact on the lives of many Australians in such areas as aged care, provision of health services and employment and is a contributing factor to elder abuse. Ageism Awareness Day…

18 September , 2024

National Elder Abuse Research Program – Online Survey of LGBTQIA+ Community Members

The Australian Government, Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) has commissioned and funded the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) to undertake research on the abuse and mistreatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and/or asexual (LGBTIQA+) older people. AIFS has partnered with Queerspace, a division of Drummond Street Services, to undertake this project. The research will…

27 August , 2024

Improving Advocacy by Aged Care and Disability Services – New Standard Published

Empowering older people and people with disability to participate effectively in decisions affecting the quality of their lives is a keystone of a civil society. The recent Royal Commissions on ageing and disability highlighted the importance of government-funded advocacy services in the empowerment of older people and people with disability when they need to access government-funded…

20 March , 2024

Cost to Teeth – Advocates Urge Action on Dental Cover

Almost four in ten Australians (37%) aged 55+ have delayed or completely put off going to the dentist in the past year due to cost, research released today by COTA Australia – the leading advocacy organisation for older Australians has found.

14 March , 2024

Advocacy Groups Urge Action for a Robust Aged Care Act

Original media release by and for COTA (12/03/2024). Federal Goverment must deliver robust Aged Care Act without delay. Rights of older people have been ignored for too long The Federal Government must finally deliver a new Aged Care Act that protects and enforces the rights of older people, allows visitors in aged care at all…

7 March , 2024

Closing the Super Gender Balance Pay Gap

Paying super on government paid parental leave is a welcome first step towards closing the super gender balance gap.

2 February , 2024

ACCAN Open 2024 Grants Round

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has now opened its 2024 grants round, below is the overview also provided on ACCAN’s website here. 2024 Grants Round NOW OPEN Submit your application by: Friday 23rd February, 2024, 5pm AEDT. Contact Us: If you are thinking of applying, we encourage you to speak with us in advance.…

31 October , 2023

Have Your Say: New Advocacy in Ageing and Disability Standard Opens for Public Consultation

People with a disability and older persons are some of the most vulnerable in Australia. They need to have their voice heard on issues that are important to them to protect and promote their rights. For this reason, the requirements established by a new Draft Standard on Ageing and Disability is to provide uniform minimum…

8 September , 2023

Super Consumers Australia: “System-wide quality testing needed”

Today’s super performance test results have revealed 96 underperforming choice products in
the market.

7 September , 2023

COTA: Federal Government Needs to Increase Services for All Ages

“COTA Australia has been calling for action to support older people better plan for retirement. Financial literacy and retirement income products are key elements to make sure people are confident to spend more than the legislated minimum draw down and support them to have a dignified retirement.”

11 August , 2023

Older People Must be Consulted on New Aged Care Act and New Principles for Aged Care Funding

Older Australians will be asked to share their knowledge, insights and perspectives on our aged care system over the coming weeks as part of a consultation process looking at strengthening and improving the laws governing aged care.
The consultations follow the release of the Australian Government’s Consultation Paper on the new Aged Care Act – a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety – as well as the release of principles guiding aged care funding.