Bill also secures a permanent First Nations aged care commissioner
The Older Persons Advocacy Network has welcomed an independent review of the Integrated Assessment Tool and Senate passage of aged care legislation affecting older people under the Support at Home program.
The Australian Senate passed the Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner and Other Measures) Bill 2026 on 15 October 2026. The government also announced an independent review of the Integrated Assessment Tool, or IAT.
The IAT uses a computer algorithm to determine care prioritisation and funding for older people under the Support at Home program. OPAN CEO Craig Gear said the review was an important response to ongoing concerns about the tool.
“It is clear, from all perspectives, that there is strong support to get services right for older people,” Gear said.
According to Gear, OPAN has continued to hear from older people, families and advocates about cases where care needs were not accurately reflected through the tool. He said that led to delays in accessing the right care and lengthy reassessment processes.
New pathway for exceptional cases
Gear said the new escalation pathway was an important step for older people facing exceptional circumstances. It creates a mechanism to review decisions when an assessment does not accurately reflect an older person’s care needs.
However, he said the pathway would help individual cases, while the independent review would provide a long-term solution. Gear also said OPAN has consistently advocated for improvements to the assessment system and continues to call for human oversight.
“We’re pleased that the Government and Coalition have come together to deliver these important changes for older people,” Gear said.
Gear said a number of peak bodies took part in the push for change, with options discussed with all sides of government before Parliament agreed on the reforms.
Meanwhile, OPAN also welcomed the legislation because it secures the establishment of a permanent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner.
Gear said that reform would help strengthen equitable aged care access and services. He also said older people deserve confidence that they can access the right level of care when they need it.
