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The 2026/27 Federal Budget leaves many challenges within the aged care system, which risks older people being worse off. While the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) acknowledges the substantial $3.7 billion investment – including 5000 new residential aged care places… Read More »Federal Budget 2026-27
As Australia’s aged care system continues to undergo significant reform, ensuring older people are heard and supported to exercise their rights remains critical. For Carolanne Barkla, that focus has guided her leadership of Aged Rights Advocacy Service – the OPAN member for South Australia – and… Read More »A voice on your side: the power of independent advocacy
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) welcomes the announcement by the Albanese Government that older people on the Support at Home aged care program will no longer pay out-of-pocket costs for help with showering, dressing and support with continence management. OPAN Director… Read More »Changes to Support at Home welcomed, but further reforms are urgently needed
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,… Read More »Advocacy demand surges as aged care system complexity persists
The introduction of the Support at Home program was intended to improve how older people access care at home — but with continuing reports of early implementation issues, it is clear the program has not yet reached its full intent.… Read More »Advocates report rising demand as older people navigate Support at Home changes
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) welcomes the Albanese Government’s investment of an additional $115 million through the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program, to deliver more aged care beds in select hotspots across South Australia, New South Wales and Western… Read More »New Aged Care funding welcomed
‘Never stop asking questions.’ This is the simple but powerful message that National Older Person’s Reference Group member Michelle Treasure has for those supporting an older person to make their own decisions. Speaking from her own experience supporting her late mother who was living with… Read More »Supported decision-making: a cultural mindset shift
Despite the much-anticipated new Aged Care Act being in effect for more than 100 days, significant challenges persist for older people on the Support at Home program, as evidenced by the nearly 18,000 cases supported by OPAN’s network members in the last quarter. A wide… Read More »Support at Home issues: OPAN urges government to act
Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) warmly welcomes a reconstituted National Older Persons Reference Group (NOPRG), making it the most diverse group to date. The reference group was formed more than five years ago and meets every two months to ensure… Read More »OPAN welcomes a new reference group to inform systemic advocacy
Ramnik Singh Walia is an aged care advocate from Darwin Community Legal Services, OPAN’s Northern Territory network member. As the sector continues to navigate the new Aged Care Act, Ramnik reflects on how the legislation changes are playing out in practice so far and highlights the important role advocacy plays in empowering older people to… Read More »Rights must be embedded in everyday care not just written into law