Demand for advocacy support continues to increase as many older people experience ongoing difficulty navigating Australia’s aged care system, the Older Persons Advocacy Network’s (OPAN) latest NACAP Presenting Issues Half-yearly Report finds.
The interim report, released this week, shows more older people are seeking independent advocacy support and information to navigate aged care, with OPAN member organisations delivering 32,025 advocacy services in the first half of FY26 – a 33% increase compared to the same period last year.
OPAN Acting CEO Karen Doyle said the report highlights persistent systemic issues and provides an important evidence base to ensure the voices and perspectives of older people are heard by policy and decision makers.
‘The findings tell us that older people are still finding the aged care system difficult to navigate.
’These are not isolated concerns – they are persistent, systemic issues that older people experience every day.
‘Without meaningful reform, too many older Australians will continue to face barriers to safe, fair and accessible aged care.
‘What we are seeing is increased pressure on advocacy services and a clear message from older people that they want to be heard, respected, and supported to exercise their rights,’ Ms Doyle said.
The report found that 26% of services were advocacy (8,176 cases), with information provisions accounting for the remaining 74% (23,849). The number of information provisions rose by 15% since the previous six months, whilst the number of advocacy cases increased by 14%, with 8,176 cases from July to December 2025 compared with 7,162 from January to June 2025.
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For advocacy support, call the Aged Care Advocacy Line on 1800 700 600 to be connected with an advocate in your area.