The outgoing Inspector-General of Aged Care, Natalie Siegel-Brown, has issued a stark warning that Australia’s aged care system is failing to meet its intended goals. In her final public address at the National Press Club, she argued that while the government’s new Aged Care Act contains a strong vision for dignity and respect, the practical implementation is falling short. She described the current reform rollout as a case where the administrative plumbing is undermining the legislation's core promises, leading to unintended harm for some older Australians.
Central to her critique is the inefficiency of the current Support at Home program. Siegel-Brown highlighted that the system often prioritizes complex, bureaucratic processes over common-sense care. She cited the example of a pensioner who required a $50 pair of crutches to remain mobile. Because the system mandates a funded occupational therapist assessment before approving such equipment, the cost to taxpayers ballooned to $1,800, accompanied by a three-month wait. This, she argued, is a clear example of how rigid administrative requirements can create unnecessary delays and costs.
Siegel-Brown also expressed concern regarding the use of automated assessment tools, which she noted often exclude clinical judgment from final decisions. By relying on algorithms that do not account for individual nuance, the system risks pushing people toward more expensive residential or hospital care rather than supporting them to live independently at home. She urged the government to shift its focus toward early intervention and prevention, suggesting that investing in home support is not only more humane but also more fiscally responsible in the long term.
As she prepares to step down from her role to join the United Nations, Siegel-Brown emphasized that her comments are intended to help the government achieve its own legislated ambitions rather than to criticize for the sake of it. She called for a fundamental redesign of the system’s settings to ensure that administrative processes align with the goal of allowing older Australians to age with dignity in their own homes. The future of these reforms remains a critical point of discussion as the sector grapples with rising demand and the need for more efficient, person-centered care.