Abstract:

This e-brief aims to give an overview of the array of services and support provided to the elderly in Australia. The terms 'elderly' and 'aged' are taken here to mean people aged over 65 years of age. It should be noted however, that some support for the aged is given to people who are younger than that, for example, some concessions for transport and entrance fees are provided to people over 60 years or even 55 years of age. Given the number and breadth of the various programs that are available to the aged and, given the fact that all three levels of government and the non-government sector are involved in the provision of these programs, it is only possible to outline the main support and services provided. The main emphasis is on the role of the Commonwealth in terms of support and assistance for the aged, but brief details of the role of the non-government sector and that of State/Territory and local governments are also given. One section of this brief gives some background on the very important issue of the ageing of the Australian population and contains links to contrasting views on just how policy makers now, and into the future, should respond to this ageing phenomenon. Included are an extensive number of links to web sites across Australia and, where appropriate, brief introductory comments that put the various links in context are included. Some examples of relevant overseas links are also included.