Role
The Aged Care Council of Elders is a group of older people from diverse backgrounds with lived experience of ageing and aged care. Members are representative of older people across Australia.
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.
Council members 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 and Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme
- Minister for Aged Care and Seniors
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the department).
The Council engages with older people on 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
- their rights, needs and perspectives
- what a positive ageing journey looks like for them and the benefits of planning early for 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.
In January 2026, the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors announced the 2026 Council of Elders.
| Members | Position | State |
|---|---|---|
| Ms Anne Burgess AM | Chair | SA |
| Dr Ponniah Anandajayasekeram (Ananda) | Council member | VIC |
| Associate Professor John Cullen AM | Council member | NSW |
| Mr William (Uncle Benny) Hodges | Council member | ACT |
| Mr Russell Westacott | Council member | NSW |
| Ms Marilyn Beaumont OAM | Council member | NSW |
| Mr Fred (Federico) Marrone | Council member | NT |
| Mr Warren Martens | Council member | QLD |
| Ms Ann Robinson | Council member | SA |
| Mr Bruce Nelson | Council member | TAS |
| Ms Pam Hegarty | Council member | VIC |
| Ms Robyn Abrahams | Council member | VIC |
| Dr Barbara Buzzard | Council member | WA |
| Ms Roberta (Bobbie) Kidd | Council member | WA |
Meetings
The Council meets around 8 times per year or more often as required.
The Council receives updates from the department about aged care 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
Find out more about the work of the Council and the advice it shares with government.
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
Aged Care Council of Elders contact