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Australians are more than twice as likely to trust aged care once they have direct experience of it, Ageing Australia’s Ageing in Australia Community Expectations Report 2026 shows.
The first-of-its-kind study for Australia gathered responses from over 1,000 Australians aged 18 and over.
Just 10 per cent of the respondents actually received aged care, but 71 per cent of them were either very or somewhat satisfied with the care they received, as were 63 per cent of those who had cared for someone.
Ageing Australia chief executive officer Tom Symondson said this aligns with other evidence, including the annual, independently conducted Residents’ Experience Survey, which found 88 per cent of residents would recommend their home to others.
“People who have direct experience of aged care are far more likely to trust it, but too many Australians are forming views based on things they’ve heard in the past or negative media,” Mr Symondson said.
“That tells us the system is performing better than people think – but we’re not closing the gap between perception and reality.”
Public uncertainty about the future of aged care was also evident in the report, with 46 per cent indicating they didn’t know if it is heading in the right or wrong direction.
Among the other findings was that 21 per cent of Australians would turn to the government for information about aged care, but that 73 per cent would go directly to providers – a sign of the trusted position providers have in the community.
The findings highlight challenges and opportunities for the sector and government alike, Mr Symondson said.
Key policy takeaways include a need for:
- more holistic support for older people across healthcare, aged care and housing
- more reassurance about the pace of change in aged care
- policy settings that actively support age-appropriate housing and practical downsizing pathways
- targeted strategies to help normalise informal care, including more education and support for informal carers and a public campaign of success stories and positive reinforcement on the important role of informal carers
- more community education around what the aged care sector offers and how to access it
- greater public awareness on the use of technology to help support independent living and its use in aged care, including clear communication about ethical use, safeguards and benefits to build trust.
There is also a need to address perceptions on how aged care is funded, alongside an opportunity for greater support and guidance on how people can age well and the strengthening of public awareness on key information sources.
The report also highlighted the need to encourage earlier conversations about ageing and care options.
Shifting desires on where people want to age
The report shows the majority of Australians – 56 per cent – want to remain at home as they age, but another 30 per cent indicated a desire to enter retirement living.
Mr Symondson said this shows a “huge opportunity” for the sector to build more homes and offer increasingly innovative housing options specifically tailored to older Australians.
Half of the respondents indicated interest in downsizing but flagged several barriers, including:
- affordability
- availability of properties
- emotional attachment
- cost
- hassle.
For those aged over 70, the barriers highlighted also included stamp duty and aged care pension implications.
Just 37 per cent of people over 50 believe the government is doing enough to help with downsizing.
“Australians want to age with dignity, independence and choice but far too often they don’t know where to start or who to trust,” Mr Symondson said.
“There is a clear and urgent need for government to improve how it communicates about aged care, including the current reform process.”
Mr Symondson said the report highlights the need for better public information about the aged care system and better support for downsizing and accessing and navigating aged care.
“We must also continue to rebuild public trust in our services. That is made much more difficult by the current rollout of major reforms at the same time as demand is rising and workforce pressures are at fever pitch,” he said.
“But, if we get this right, we can build a system that not only meets the needs of Australians now and into the future, but one they understand and trust.”
Ageing Australia said it intends to continue the research biennially to track changes in community expectations and ensure reforms remain aligned with public needs.
The full report can be read here.
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