Policy

Older Victorians are not a single group with shared experiences, and our work sought to ensure that policies and systems recognise this diversity. This approach underpins the work undertaken by the Policy & Advocacy team, across policy areas outlined in this briefing.

The COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria ‘State of Ageing in Victoria’ Pulse survey provides an up-to-date insight into how older Victorians feel about the upsides and the downsides of their lives in 2026.

This toolkit has been developed to support practitioners to strengthen their awareness of elder abuse and build their capacity to respond in ways that are effective, respectful, and uphold the dignity, rights, and autonomy of older people.

The ‘Intersectionality in elder abuse reference guide part 3’ is a resource guide that responds to the insights and advice relating to elder abuse detection, prevention, response, and recovery that is outlined in parts 1 and 2

As Victorian bushfires, heatwaves, storm events, floods and pandemics have shown, older people are still disproportionately affected by emergencies.

As we age, most of us will need some form of support to continue living independently. The good news is we have a well-developed system of funded services to help Victorians remain at home for as long as possible.

Older women in Victoria are experiencing a systemic crisis of economic insecurity. Despite decades of participation in work and caregiving, many arrive at later life with significantly less wealth and income than men, leaving a disproportionate number of older women facing poverty and housing stress.

This briefing updates members on budget announcements, including what initiatives offer direct benefit to older Victorians, and how this investment aligns with priorities we have previously identified.

Part 2 of the Intersectionality in Elder Abuse Reference Guide builds on Part 1, which considered the impact of disability, gender, linguistic and cultural diversity, and LGBTQIA+ identities on people’s exposure to ageism, discrimination, and barriers to elder abuse support.