United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Regional Survey on Ageing 2011: Australia
II. Older Persons and Development
8. Has your Government undertaken any measures to promote the participation of older persons in policy-making and/or decision making? Yes
Names and descriptions of policies/programmes
Community Sector Support SchemeThe Community Sector Support Scheme (CSSS) supports the national secretariat activities of peak community based organisations that focus their activities on meeting the health and ageing needs of older Australians, including through advocacy on policy issues. National organisations receiving CSSS funding include: National Seniors Australia; COTA Over 50's; Carers Australia; Aged and Community Services Australia; Alzheimer's Australia; and the Continence Foundation of Australia.
Australian Government funding is provided to help support the organisations to:
- Contribute to public education, public debate, and community consultation on issues of direct relevance to older people including through: analysis and review of the implications of Australian Government policies for older people, and communication of these findings to the Australian Government and the older people they represent; and policy development and direct communication of policy ideas to the Australian Government, older people, and other interested parties; and
- Represent the older people who are their members and promote their interests.
The Ageing Consultative Committee (ACC) is the major forum for consultation, discussion and advice on issues of relevance to aged care. There are currently 25 member organisations of which there are six consumer organisations which provide a vehicle for the voices of older people to influence the broader aged care agenda.
Through the ACC, member organisations have an opportunity to:
- provide advice to the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing on current and proposed arrangements within community and residential aged care, with a particular focus on implementation of election commitments;
- collect the views of stakeholders on issues of importance to the aged care sector and present these views for discussion and suggested response; and
- communicate deliberations of the Ageing Consultative Committee to the groups they represent.
Age Discrimination Commissioner
The new dedicated Age Discrimination Commissioner within the Australian Human Rights Commission has a particular focus on addressing barriers to equality and participation faced by mature workers, and older Australians. The Commissioner will undertake research, education and policy activities to build awareness of the Age Discrimination Act in order to deal with attitudes and stereotypes that can lead to age discrimination. This will be done in close consultation with older persons and organisations that represent the interests of older Australians.
Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) Forum on Human Rights
As part of Australia’s Human Rights Framework, an Australian Government and NGO Forum on Human Rights is jointly hosted annually by the Attorney-General and the Minister for Foreign Affairs. This Forum is a key opportunity for comprehensive dialogue on domestic and international human rights issues between the Australian Government and civil society. Attendees have included: peak bodies, national human rights or social justice NGOs such as Human Rights Law Centre, Equality Rights Alliance and National Seniors Australia.
Consultative Forum on Mature Age Participation.
In February 2010, the Australian Government formed the Consultative Forum on Mature Age Participation to examine the barriers to employment for mature age people, with a specific focus on the barriers presented by negative employer and community attitudes. The Forum includes representatives of seniors groups, employer and industry groups, unions and other experts. The Forum will work until 30 June 2012 to recommend strategies for removing these barriers.
Community CabinetTop of page
Since their introduction in January 2008, the Government has held 27 Community Cabinet meetings in regional areas across Australia. Community Cabinet meetings are part of the Prime Minister’s commitment to ensure close consultation with the Australian people on the things that concern them, whether they are national or local matters. The meetings give people in the community an opportunity to meet Cabinet members in person and ask questions directly about issues which are important to them. At many of these meetings people have raised issues affecting older people. Reports of the meetings may be accessed at http://www.dpmc.gov.au/community_cabinet/meetings/index.cfm
Direct communication with Ministers and Members of Parliament
Older people, their families or advocates can at any time email or write to any Minister or Member of Parliament raising concerns about policies or ageing issues that affect them. Since January 2008, over 13,650 people have contacted the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing in this way and received a written response addressing their specific issues.
Voting
Compulsory voting means that every eligible Australian citizen (18 years or older) is required by law to enrol and vote. Introduced in 1924, compulsory voting for federal elections is a distinctive feature of the Australian political culture. With population ageing the policy preferences and votes of older people are attracting more attention, particularly in electorates with a high proportion of older residents. At 30 June 2011 there were 2,842,433 electors aged 65 or over on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll. This represented 20.1 per cent of those on the Roll.
Arrangements are in place to assist older people to vote early, either in person or by post, if on election day they are seriously ill, have significant mobility limitations, or are a patient in hospital and can't vote at the hospital. In addition, Electoral Visitors conduct mobile polling at identified institutions such as hospitals, convalescent homes and aged care facilities in the week prior to polling day in accordance with a published itinerary. Similar arrangements are in place for state and territory elections.
Information about voting may be accessed on the Australian Electorate Commission website at http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/index.htm
Carers
The importance of listening to the views of carers is reflected in the Commonwealth Carer Recognition Act 2010, which requires Australian Government agencies to consult with carers regarding the development of policies and programs that affect their lives. In part this is facilitated by Carers Australia and its network of Carers Associations in each state and territory. The Act may be accessed at: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2010A00123
See also Q13.
9. Has your Government undertaken any of the following measures with regard to social protection for older persons?
9a. Old age pension scheme - Yes
Names and descriptions of policies/programmes
The Age PensionThe Age Pension is a fundamental part of Australia’s social security system. It is a non-contributory scheme and acts as a safety net for seniors with few other resources, and supplements the retirement incomes of those with lower levels of private savings. The Age Pension is available to all Australians who meet the residence, means and age criteria. Pension age for men is currently 65 years and for women 64.5 years (rising to age 65 by 1 January 2014). The qualifying age for the Age Pension for both men and women will increase from 65 in 2017 to 67 years by 2023.
The Age Pension is payable until the person ceases to qualify, generally either through death or the application of the means test.
At June 2011 it is estimated that:
- 68.5 per cent of people over pension age were in receipt of full or part-rate Age Pension.
- 8 per cent of people over pension age received other income support payments such as veteran’s service pensions.
- 9 per cent of people over pension age who do not receive income support had the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, which entitles them to pharmaceutical concessions, some transport concessions and a supplement to help with household expenses.
- The remaining 25 per cent of the population of pension age were fully self-funded retirees.
The Age Pension provides one pillar of Australia’s retirement income policy, the other pillars being the compulsory Superannuation Guarantee system, and voluntary retirement savings. For further information on these integrated retirement income arrangements, see Attachment A .Top of page
9b. Health insurance scheme (contributory or non-contributory, universal coverage or targeted at some segment of older persons) - Yes
Names and descriptions of policies/programmes
Australia has a universal health care platform based on three fundamental pillars:- free public hospital care;
- affordable medical services subsidised through the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS); and
- affordable medicines subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
- A wide spectrum of services are delivered through these three pillars, ranging from preventive health and early intervention services, through to the treatment of illness, chronic disease management, and acute care.
The National Health Act 1953 and the Health Insurance Act 1973 provide for these arrangements. The Acts may be accessed at www.comlaw.gov.au.
Free public hospital care
All Australians are eligible to access free public hospital care, an entitlement that particularly benefits older people. People aged 55 years and over accounted for 50 per cent of separations in public hospitals in 2008-09 although they represented only 24.3 per cent of the population. Those aged 75 years and over accounted for 20 per cent of separations2.
Affordable medical services
Through the MBS, the Australian Government facilitates universal access to allied health, general practice and specialist medical services by subsidising fee-for-service care. The MBS is financed largely from general taxation revenue, including the Medicare Levy, which helps to distribute the cost of the universal health care according to ability to pay. The Medicare Levy is based on a person’s taxable income. People on low incomes are either exempt or pay a reduced Medicare levy. The thresholds are higher for older Australians.
- In 2009-2010, the per capita benefit paid for patients 65 years and over was approximately $1,600, compared with approximately $550 for patients under 65 years.
- In 2009-2010, the per capita number of services for patients 65 years and over was 31.9, compared with 11.1 for patients under 65 years.
There are items within the Medicare Benefits Schedule that are available to all but which are of particular importance to the elderly. These include Chronic Disease Management items. In 2009-2010, the benefits paid for patients 65 years and over for Chronic Disease Management items were $48.27 per capita, compared with $8.74 per capita for patients under 65 years.Top of page
As well as subsidising health care services, MBS mechanisms which protect people, particularly those on low incomes, from incurring significant financial impacts include:
Bulk-billing: allows the health practitioner to receive the set payment direct from the Australian Government, enabling the patient to access treatment without outlaying any funds. In 2009-2010, 76.1 per cent of services were bulk-billed for patients 65 years and over, compared with 73.5 per cent of services for patients under 65 years.
Extended Medicare safety net: provides an additional rebate for Australian families and singles who have out-of-pocket costs for Medicare eligible out-of-hospital services once an annual threshold has been met.
The Practice Incentives Program provides incentives for general practices to improve quality of care, and to help ensure services are delivered where they are needed, including in Australian Government-funded residential aged care facilities.
Medicare fees are set at a higher rate for GPs providing care to residents of residential aged care facilities. This includes in-hours and after-hours consultations. Medical assessments for permanent residents of residential aged care facilities are provided through time-based MBS health assessment items. In 2009-2010, approximately 56,800 health assessments were provided to patients 65 years and over, compared with approximately 19,600 for patients under 65 years.
Affordable pharmaceutical medicines
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) gives Australians access to a wide range of subsidised medicines, including many that are life-sustaining. The PBS also offers safety net and co-payment arrangements which help to contain the cost of medicines for individuals and households:
Co-payments: Pensioners, other eligible low income earners and holders of Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards, can access PBS medicines at the concessional rate of $5.60 per prescription. People who do not qualify for a concession pay up to $34.20 per prescription for PBS subsidised medicines.
PBS safety net: The safety net limits the total annual cost of PBS medicines for families and individuals who require a large number of prescriptions. After reaching the safety net threshold, pensioners, other eligible low income earners and holders of Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards pay no more for PBS medicines for the rest of the year; and older people who do not qualify for a concession, pay a reduced rate per prescription for the rest of the year.
Private health insurance
In addition to universal health care platform, the Government believes a mixed model of balanced private and public health services is integral to the provision of universal access to high quality, affordable health care services for all Australians. People have a choice about whether to use the public or private systems according to their own circumstances.
The Government is committed to ensuring that Australians who choose to use the private health care system have access to private health insurance through a viable and cost-effective private health industry. The Government plays a role in the regulation of the private health insurance sector with the aim of promoting the sustainability of private health insurance and supporting consumer choice in health care. There are number of policies and incentives in place to encourage and support individuals and families, including older Australians, to purchase private health insurance. Policies include community rating, risk equalisation, and the Prostheses List. Incentives include private health insurance rebates, the Medicare levy surcharge and Lifetime Health Cover.
To promote the affordability of private health insurance and the sustainability of the private health insurance sector, the Government rebates a proportion of the cost of a private health insurance policy. Since 2005, there have been higher rebates for older people: 35 per cent for people aged 65-69 years and 40 per cent for people aged 70 years and over. Further details may be accessed at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/private-1
Private Health Insurance is governed by the Private Health Insurance Act 2007
9c. Social protection/social security programmes for persons working in the informal sector - Yes
Names of policies/Programmes
See Q9a and Attachment A.9d. Provision of minimum income for older persons with no other means of support - Yes
Names and descriptions of policies/programmes
9e. Other income support schemes - Yes
Carer Payment
Carer Payment is an income support payment for carers who are unable to support themselves through work because they are providing full time care to a child or adult with a severe disability or medical condition, or a frail older person. Subject to the means test and care load qualification, Carer Payment is payable indefinitely. Some people choose to continue receiving Carer Payment when they reach pension age, as it is paid at the same rate as the Age Pension.
At 30 June 2010, 168,913 people were receiving the Carer Payment. Government spending on the Carer Payment in 2010-11 is estimated to be $AUD 2.7 billion which is projected to rise to $AUD 3.1 billion in 2011-12. For further information may be accessed at http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/carers/overview/Pages/default.aspx
10. Has your Government undertaken any measures to increase employment opportunities for older persons who wish to work and are able to do so? - Yes
Names and descriptions of policies/programmes
Employment AssistanceMature age people have access to employment assistance through Job Services Australia (JSA) and Disability Employment Services (DES). JSA and DES provide tailored employment assistance for all job seekers, including mature age job seekers. The level of assistance available to individual job seekers is dependent on need and personal circumstances.
Experience+
On 1 July 2010 the Australian Government implemented a range of new programs designed to assist mature age people find or keep their jobs. These programs are promoted under the banner Experience+ (eligibility criteria apply):
- Career Advice—free professional career advice and a resume appraisal service;
- Experience+ Training—training grants to allow mature age workers to up-skill to become mentors or supervisors of apprentices or trainees;
- More Help For Mature Age Workers—skills assessments and gap training for mature age workers who have trade skills but no formal qualifications;
- On-the-Job Support—training and support for mature age workers whose jobs may be at risk due to a health condition, injury or disability; and
- Job Transition Support—training and support to help mature age workers move from a physically demanding role into a less physically demanding role, and help for retrenched workers.
Very long term unemployed
As part of the 2011-12 Budget, the Government announced measures to improve assistance for the very long term unemployed. One of these initiatives is a new wage subsidy of around $AUD5,700 over six months to be available from 1 January 2012. The subsidy is designed to encourage employers to give very long term unemployed job seekers, including those of mature age, an opportunity to get paid employment. The subsidy will apply to job seekers in Job Services Australia and Disability Employment Services who have been on income support for two years and who have had no or minimal work during that period.
Further information is available at: http://ministers.deewr.gov.au/evans/long-term-unemployed-will-not-be-left-behind
Employer engagement
The Government is working with employers to encourage the recruitment and retention of mature age people. The Government has launched the ‘Investing in Experience’ Employment Charter, which outlines nine better practice principles for employing mature age people, and the ‘Investing in Experience’ Tool Kit which establishes the business case for employing mature age people and provides a step-by-step guide to help employers achieve the aims of the Charter.
Further information is available at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/Programs/ExpPlus/Pages/InvestingInExperience.aspx
Changes to superannuation arrangements to encourage continuing workforce participation
The Australian Government has introduced a number of changes to superannuation arrangement to encourage continuing participation in the workforce.
Superannuation benefits paid from a taxed fund (that is, one in which tax has been paid on contributions and earnings), either as an income stream or as a lump sum, are tax-free for people aged 60 and over. This can encourage workforce participation in a number of ways. The fact that superannuation benefits are tax free from age 60 provides an incentive for people to remain in the workforce until at least that age in order to obtain the full benefit of the concession. In addition, as superannuation benefits paid from a taxed fund are not included in assessable income from age 60, people may also pay less tax on any income from working. This increases the incentive for people aged 60 and over to undertake some paid work while drawing down on their superannuation.
Under the transition to retirement policy, people who have reached preservation age (currently 55) can access their superannuation benefits as a non commutable income stream without having to retire or leave their job. This policy gives people the opportunity to retain a connection with the workforce while making the transition from work to retirement. For example, the policy allows people approaching retirement to reduce their hours of work and supplement their income with superannuation, rather than leave the workforce altogether in order to access their benefits.
From 1 July 2013, the superannuation guarantee age limit will be extended from 70 to 75, aligning it with the age limit for voluntary and self-employed contributions. This means that eligible workers aged 70 to 74 will have compulsory superannuation contributions made on their behalf for the first time.
2 Productivity Commission, Report on Government Services 2011, Chapter 10, Public Hospitals, Report on Government Services 2011, http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/rogs/2011.