Role
The Aged Care Council of Elders is a group of older people from diverse backgrounds with lived experience of ageing and aged care.
The Australian Government established the Council of Elders in 2021 as a direct voice to government for older people, by older people.
This followed Recommendation 9 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety which called for the council to be set up as an advisory body on quality and safety of care, and the rights and dignity of older people.
The council talk to older people about the changes being made to aged care and listen to what’s important to them when it comes to living and ageing well.
The council uses this feedback to inform its independent advice to government via the:
- Minister for Health and Ageing
- Minister for Aged Care and Seniors
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the department).
The council talks with older people about a range of matters including:
- aged care quality and safety
- how to access and navigate the aged care system
- new and changing aged care services (known as the aged care reforms)
- their rights, needs and perspectives
- what a positive ageing journey looks like for them and the benefits of planning early for their aged care.
Read the Council of Elders terms of reference for more information.
Members
The Council of Elders is a diverse group representative of older people in Australia today. Members bring unique geographic and lived perspectives of ageing and aged care.
Members are active in their local communities, engaging and gathering insights about people’s experiences of ageing and aged care. The council values this feedback, and it informs their advice to government.
The 2025 Council of Elders were announced earlier this year.
| Members | Position | State |
|---|---|---|
| Anne Burgess AM | Chair | SA |
| Dr Ponniah Anandajayasekeram (Ananda) | Council member | VIC |
| Associate Professor John Cullen AM | Council member | NSW |
| Aunty Lyn Cullinane | Council member | QLD |
| Gwenda Darling | Council member | NSW |
| Dr John Davis | Council member | VIC |
| Val Fell OAM | Council member | NSW |
| Gillian Groom AO | Council member | TAS |
| Anna Harrison AM JP | Council member | WA |
| William (Uncle Benny) Hodges | Council member | ACT |
| Julie Rankin | Council member | NT |
| Russell Westacott | Council member | NSW |
| Lynda Whiteway | Council member | SA |
Aged Care Council of Elders – Council member profiles
Aged Care Council of Elders – A voice for older people
Visit the council’s YouTube video playlist to view a group and individual videos where each member shares what ageing well means to them and why the voices and perspectives of older people are important in improving aged care for everyone.
Meetings
The council meets around 8 times per year or more often as required.
The council receives updates from the department about the aged care reforms at each meeting. The council also gives feedback to the department on matters that are important to older people.
Communiques
Aged Care Council of Elders – Communiques
Related committees or groups
The Chair of the Council of Elders, Anne Burgess AM, is also a member of the National Aged Care Advisory Council. The advisory council provides expert advice to government on key matters relating to the aged care sector.
Anne Burgess AM is also the Chair of the Aged Care Transition Taskforce. The taskforce was announced by the government to help the aged care sector transition to the Aged Care Act 2024.
Contact
To keep up-to-date with the aged care reforms and the work of the council, visit the Aged Care Council of Elders Facebook page.
